People from all over the area, and the world, are admiring one of the last American steam locomotives to be build. Because the N&W served the coal fields of the South it was one of the last American railroad companies to dieselize.
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NW J611 (mid-2015)
(by Bill) |
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People from all over the area, and the world, are admiring one of the last American steam locomotives to be build. Because the N&W served the coal fields of the South it was one of the last American railroad companies to dieselize. |
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The 611 is one of the most beautiful streamlined steam locomotives ever build. Other railroad companies had strealined their locomotives earlier, but in my opinion just could not get it right. These other roads often de-streamlined in later years. However, the N&W did not because they got it right in the first place! |
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Here is the left side of the cab. This is side is reserved for the fireman. The firemen operates the boiler's fire. The right side of the cab is reserved for the engineer so he can see the signals which by convention are the right side of the tracks as the engine is going forward. |
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The fireman is cleaning the firebox grates/ash pans and as he does ashes fall on the trackes below. He will also perform a visual inspection below the firebox and the steam engine's appliances. He will grease and oil many devices that require this kind of maintenance. |
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Notice the painted line down near the bottom of each of the 70" drivers. This line is used to monitor the slip of the steel tire. The tire is a 3 inch steel rim outside of a driver; the part that rides the rail. If this line is not in the same place on both the cast inner part of the driver and its tire, it's back to the shop for repairs. |
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611 is back under steam again. Everyone is trying to take some last minute pictures. I suspect the fireman is adding in a little sand to clean out the firebox so the picture takers have plenty of smoke in their photographs, a common practice of excursion friendly steam engine oeprators. |
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This video was taken from the third floor of a Lynchburg parking garage. As the engine approached, I could feel the engine rumble by, smell the burnt smoke, hear the steam hissing and brakes squealing, and see the smiling passengers. Take a look. |
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Prior to 611 being rebuilt, it was a static display at the Norfolk Transpostion Museum. Back in the 1980s before it was a static display, 611 was operatioional and pulled several excursions. One such 1980s excursion stopped at the Manassas City Station in Manassas Virginia. |
