The Various Whistles of the 611 Over a Period of 32 Years 

It's crazy to think that the 611 was still only in it's early 30's back in 1984

This is a pretty bold statement to make, but in my humble opinion, J611's 1992 whistle (0:54 seconds) is the greatest, finest, and most beautiful whistle to ever grace the rails that I've ever heard.

I grew up in Roanoke and my grandpa worked for the N&W from the late 40s up to just after it became NS. One of my fondest memories was my grandpa taking me on an excursion on the 611 when I was 11. The 611's low lonely sounding whistle will always be what I imagine when someone talks about a train whistle.

My vote is for the '92 whistle. It is really unfortunate that Claytor and the Fire Up 611! group had a falling out. Despite this, it is great that she is up and running once more. Great Video!

I really liked the whistle that had on her back in 1983, wish it was like that today.

1983 and '87 are my favorites. I like 90's but the ones in the 80's the 611 carried just sound more epic, haunting and had lot's of character that made ole 611 sound and run at her very best. Frank Collins who was her and 1218's main engineer and road foreman of NS steam between 1983-87 was a true master at blowing their whistles like he was playing a finely tuned instrument.

611 has a handcock 3 chime steptop longbell. It was a "storebought" whistle as I call it. This is what the N&W put on the J's when they originally built them but they were fairly common. Union pacific for sure and I believe the western Maryland used them as well. In fact, 611's whistle from the first steam program belonged to the Claytors (I believe) and was an original J whistle. Don't quote me on that part though. However I know that the whistle put on her in 2015 is actually off a UP locomotive. Same exact type of whistle though. General wear on whistles can give them slightly different sounds so that might be what you hear.

Well, the 1983 and 1987 whistles sure will give me nightmares because they sounded spooky and haunting like ghost trains that could be used for Halloween which was cool, and however the 1992 and 3985 whistles were both the best haunting whistles, and also since 611 returned to service in 2015 her new whistle does sounded like SP 4449’s NP Hancock 3 chime whistle!

the one from '92 sends chills down my spin

Love the 1983 whistle! In fact, the sounds of the whistle and bell in the 1983 footage perfectly match the whistle and bell sound files for the 611 in Microsoft Train Simulator!!! Today (Monday, August 20, 2018) marks the day that I FINALLY realize where those sound files came from!! The particular film from 1983 is obviously where the sound files were recorded from!!

All of them can heard the 611's whistle from the density. I really notice the whistle on the Steam Train 611's whistle was Up 838 during 2015 until 2016, it was replaced by her sister 610's whistle.

1:11 - 1:33 sounds like the 611's true Hancock whistle.

I'm just glad she's running and I got to ride her. Can't wait till next year

1:47 is the best whistle that 3985 had in my opinion

The 87's whistle is more nightmare or sad to me, my favorite or favourite whistle is on the 92's and 15's (2015)

That Longbell 3 chime from 1992 is my absolute favorite, wish she still had it. EDIT: She has her longbell back!!

Most of the comments here are wrong. From 1982 through 1994, she wore the same whistle. The placement of the whistle from 1982 until about 1991 was further forward in the casing. From 1991 on it was in the original position as built. Fast forward to 2015 and we have a slightly anemic Hancock three chime that is not nearly as loud or tuned as well as the one and only whistle she carried between 1982- 1994.

Truly an amazing whistle. The one in the 90s was especially awesome.

I'm with you, Brandon, that long bell 3 chime is the best sounding Whistle, and it's PERFECT for the 611. sure wish they would put it on her for this year's runs.

1992 longbell sounds the best and thank god they have it back i remember like yesterday

The whistle on 611 in 2015 was SP 4449's old whistle. I've been told this by multiple SP 4449 crew members, including Doyle L. McCormack himself!

Great compilation. Thanks for putting this together.

2:00 I recognize that church, I have seen it in tsw2 on the clinchfeild

My top 4. 1. 1992 2. 1987 3. 1983 4. 2015 I'm a fan of all 4. Love live 611!

My initial thought when watching the recent videos of 611 was "she sounds different, must be because of new recording technology." My most vivid memory of 611 was '94, and she doesn't sound the same way that I recall (the clip of '92 is how I remember it.) However, watching this video she sounds just like she did in the early and mid 80's. I'm thinking now for the whistle it's a matter of tuning and placement within the shrouds and not so much recording technology. I'd imagine the sound of her whistle can be inadvertently altered by simply taking it off for a cleaning and not being reinstalled the same exact way. Regardless, I was almost in tears when I first learned of Fire Up 611.

I've just watched a bunch of clips of UP 4014, and it's very interesting to hear the difference between the Hancock chime on it and 611's. 611 produces a deep musical call, while Big Boy makes a more powerful roar.

reminds me of the southern pacific daylight 4449 whistle too

Very nice, the 611 has always been my favorite locomotive 😊😊

1:18 perfect. If I knew how, I'd modify the decoder in my Bachmann HO scale N&W J to change the whistle from the stock one to this. (the whistle chosen for the model sounds nothing like one of the J's whistles anyway)

My top 4. 1- 1992 2- 1983 3- 1987 Now if 611 had a whistle from a K2A, that would be lovely

The whistle used on the 1983 and 1992 videos has a clearer and deeper tone to it than the other(s). If you listen to O.Winston Links N&W steam recordings of J's in regular svc, you hear that same slightly deeper pitch. I'm sure those "into" whistles can prob explain why.

I may get some hate from this but ohwell. The whistle that is on her right now is in fact the original whistle for her back when she was first built. The one that she had during the 90s was a loaner. When they painted "the spirit of Roanoke" on the cab the owner of the whistle from the 90s that we all know and love took it off. Either way I'm just happy I was able to see her under steam last Sunday even though that was her last scheduled trip for 2015.

I think the 611's 1992 whistle and Union Pacific 3985's whistle sounds very similar!

I just noticed the challenger has clinchfield written on the side of it, plus it's now numbered 676. Cool

I like the whistle from the 90's and the current one 611 has from 2016-present (it's from j engine 610 which I find as a better whistle for the 611 than the one she had on during her return in 2015)

I think the different tones have to do with the speed of the train, atmospheric conditions, how the whistle is "tuned", surrounding buildings/hills/etc. Also, the different cameras/recording devices could make a difference too.

all 4 whistles on 611 sound great :D

They are all the same model whistle, Hancock Long Bell 3-chime, made by the Hancock Inspirator Division of Manning Maxwell and Moore, a locomotive appliance supplier. The 1983 and 1992 videos feature the same whistle, owned by the late Robert B. Claytor, and now in the possession of his son Preston. It is supposed to be the Hancock off of the very first J, number 600. When she was initially restored in 1982 the whistle was mounted near the middle of the locomotive, piped off the steam dome. That's where it is in the 1983 video. Later, the whistle was returned to it's original location, near the cab, on the fireman's side and piped off the turret. You can see that's where the steam is emanating from in the 1992 shot. Preston Claytor was going to provide his whistle again for this resurrection of the locomotive, but he had a falling out with the owners, the Virginia Transportation Museum, purportedly over the museum's insistence that the engine wear the name "Spirit of Roanoke" on small decals attached to her cab sides. As a result, she is wearing a different Hancock, said to be from a UP Big Boy, owned by a member of the restoration crew. That's why it sounds different. It is not a different model whistle, just a different whistle of the same model. Steam whistles were not precision instruments, and as such did not sound perfect musical pitches, even when brand new. Variables such as steam pressure, steam temperature, mounting position on the locomotive, objects (such as baffles, domes, etc) in the near field of the whistle (detuning one or more of the chambers), casting flaws, and wear and tear etc. could and did vary the sound of whistles. The UP whistles were blown on 300 PSI superheated steam, anywhere from 200º to 250º higher in temperature than the 300 PSI saturated (wet) steam that the 611 whistle is fed. Plus they were mounted in the open, whereas the J whistles were in a recess in the skyline casing. FYI, the 3985 video was shot by me.

This video has certainly generated a lot of discussion, and I'm glad it has. I've learned quite a bit from those of you who have posted and I really appreciate everyone's input. Thank you and keep the comments coming.

N&W 611 now has her whistle she carried in the 1990s for the 2016 operating season

There's a possibility she'll be wearing a different whistle for 2016. We'll find out in a few days.

3:31 best whistle of them all I hope it'll return one day again in the 21st century and be put on 611 again

Yes they are similar. Both Hancock 3 Chime whistles. Boiler pressure and proper tuning play a big roll in how the whistle sounds. 3985, 844, 4449, and 611 all have the Hancock 3 Chime.

I think they should put the Whistle they used in 1992 back on the 611, I think it sounds the best out of every one they have used.

the 1992 whistle just makes my day

1992 is probably my favorite verity of the 611’s whistle

Might want to edit this to include todays whistle! :D So happy she got her voice back today

Honestly I'm gonna say a big factor in these differences is gonna be the quality of the audio of these recordings. The latest footage is the clearest so there will be more high treble frequencies you hear allowing more "detail" of the sound. The old VHS tape looking footage audio is and always will be less clear, but still the 92 whistle seems to have the most depth to my ear. Wish I could have been there to hear it then, but I was one at the time Lol! All pretty similar though. I would think the same whistle would sound slightly different on a different locomotive due to differences in PSI and maybe where it's placed on the engine.

611’s 2015 whistle sounds kinda similar to the whistle SP 4449 used to wear.

They're all good, but if I had to rank them: 1. 1992 whistle 2. 1987 whistle 3. 2015 whistle 4. 1983 whistle The 83 whistle sounds like it wasn't broken in all the way, and the 92 whistle is beauitful to listen to. I really wish there was a way to find a better sounding whistle for 611 today.

1:43 poor guy in orange shirt

I agree that Whistle from 1992 is the best sounding Whistle.

In 83 that whistle made her sound like the 844

Fun Fact!: No. J 610's whistle is actually 611's new whistle?

Man I miss that 1992 whistle 😭

The 1992 version is the best one.

Her smile is so cute!

I saw 611 two times!!!

1:08 😍

That Seaboard Air whistle from 92 is the best of the bunch....most of em sound the same..

For some reason i prefer the 92 whistle. It just is deeper and more clear then the others.

She had her original whistle through 1994. One of the Claytors now has it.

the one from 1992 makes me want to cry, it just has that tone

the 1983 & 2015 whistle sound a lot alike. Almost like they are the same whistle.

611 has had many Different whistles over the years. The Whistle she has now sounds very Simalar to the whistle she had in 1982. I'm not sure what the whistle she was wearing in 1987 was. And I don't know what the whistle she wore from 1992 to 1994 was either. But I know this. During Restoration there was a disagreement to some changes to the engine. Because of that, Preston Claytor removed the whistle from her that she used in the 90s. To replace Claytor's Whistle, They used a Union Pacific Hancock 3 Chime whistle. Which sounds very simalar to the original one. That's why they sound somewhat the same. But it is a different Whistle. (Thanks Delay in Block Productions for providing information. XD)

I have no idea why they messed with it. What I’m hearing from 1992 is what I always remembered the numerous times I rode on the 611 and saw 611 run. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

I come from Britain and my dad travelled to see this loco in the 80s

The whistle from 1991, 1992, 1993 and 94 most likely originally came off the J#602. If you or anyone else has an opportunity to see the N&W documentary called, "The Modern Coal burning steam locomotive." Which features the early years of both the older J and A class models in the 40's and explains the building of them from the East End Shops and maintenance they received at Schaffer's Crossing engine terminal in Roanoke. At the very beginning of the video as 602 was picking up speed, she blew the same one as you can see from 611 in the 1992- 94 clip. I'm sure N&W when all of their steamers were running in regular service, might have from time to time used to change and place other Hancock J class passenger whistles available on the J's as the years passed. Yes it was Bob Claytor's personal whistle(now his son Preston's) but the only time 611 was able to blow it was during the test fire and on National train day at Spencer last year. For while she sounded great and like her old self again until Bev and the city of Roanoke had to put the tacky decals on the locomotive and had to ruin everything for Preston and his family heritage the "TRUE" and soulful voice we all know and love. I'm always grateful and happy the engine itself is back where she belongs but ain't truly right and fair without her sounding a real voice from the railroad and class she was from. Someday needs to go to or email the VMT because that is NOT a J class hancock long bell 3 chime she is wearing.

I like the 1983 whistle the best

1992 =Best Whistle 611 Ever Had

Difference from 87 and 92 was PSI and location. 87 was near the back of the smoke box and the 92 i think was in the front of the firebox IIRC correct me if I’m wrong

I love the 1987 whistle the best.

they should put the 844's whistle on 611

My video with bev fitzpatrick explains the whistle on 611

Without reading other opinions, I'm going to say they all sound the same to me. And the some one in the know will say the horns have been changed, and I just sound like a fool. But I do know they all sound pretty wonderful!!

2:37 611: "SUCK MY SMOKE PRIUS OWNERS!"

That transition at 2:48 is SO smooth. (But why is UP 3985 included in this when it isn’t really wearing a 611 whistle? There had been times when PM 1225 and C&O 614 wore that whistle so you should have included those.)

1987 & 1992 make the best queling out of all her whistles

I love the 1992 whistle because that's the real one

My most favorite 3 chime whistles in my opinion

What's the whistle in the 1987 shot?

2015 whistle sounds SP #4449.

Am I the only one that likes the 2015 whistle? 1992 is still the best.

1992 is my go to

Norfolk Southern (back then): "lets revive some of our predecessors steamers for excursions!" Norfolk Southern (today): "lets not allow our predecessors steamers on our mainlines! we can't be liable for everything!" *Norfolk Southern Logic*

1983 sounds like Challenger 3985

I'll admit, I don't know what I'm talking about, but did she really have a different whistle? I ask because I have a single chime in my possesion that was repurposed to be a "lunch time" whistle at a factory. On my little pancake compressor, I can get 125 psi to it, just not much volume. With some tuning, I can get the sound close to that of the recordings of a Class M. So, is it a different whistle or just tuning?

For me its the 1992 whistle....that deep melodic howl

1992 is hands down the best

I cant decide on the 1992 or 2015

As of 5/7/16 at least J 611 has her original whistle back. Sounds good, too.

Great news: I saw 611 3 times!

1:48 but why this?

At 2:56 it sounds like the whistle she wore on her final runs at strasburg.

1992 was my favorite whistle because all the other ones sound garbled

hey is their any sound recording of the 1992 whistle that could be used for trainz a new era?

Quality

1983 and 2015 sound Iike daylights whistle

Favorite whistle in this video is the 1992 one.

I koine where the first 2 shots where taken.