Since we have no fallen flag forum for N&W, I'm posting this here. Harold, if you want to move it go ahead. Signalguy sent me this N&W promotional photo which was a handout at an FRA meeting. I think it is one terrific photo and pretty much sums up N&W's magnificent steam, an A, a J and a Y. If we could only go back...........
Thanks Fitz for posting. NW passed out the photo at Roanoake in the mid 70s and a tour of some of their facilities.
Jon, I feel so lucky--my wife and I went back east in 1993 to ride the New River Train, and I learned that the 611 was running the prior weekend, so we went out of our way to chase her around Pamplin and Appomattox. There was a barbecue for the passengers at Appomattox so we got to spend some time around the engine. I was amazed that she was nonchalantly pulling 22 cars. A week later I was floored when the (2)765 hauled 33 cars up the New River Gorge!! At the time I had no idea that both locos would soon be down.
I've seen boh the NKP 765 and the NW 611 under steam in Indiana. Both were impressive, but I'll have to say that it was the 611 that caught me completely by surprise when I tried to get a photo. She went from standing to rolling by me before I realized how fast she could move. She was fast and almost without effort. A beautiful beast.
I've had the wonderful opportunity to ride behind the 611 J and the 1218 A-class in the early 90's when they ran the Fort Wayne Flyer from Chicago to Ft. Wayne. Each time, I was expecting the opposite engine, as the press releases would always indicate which engine was running (and would normally be wrong). So each time I would be surprised at the sight of an unexpected iron horse steaming around the bend. The 1218 was a MONSTER, with noise, steam, and cinders everywhere, and I could barely hear myself say "Wow!" as it rolled to a halt to pick up passengers in Valparaiso next to the tracks. There was no station or depot, so we all waited on the side of a road. But the real beauty was the 611. She was a marvel of beauty, grace, and power that brought a tear to my eye when I realized that there would never be more like her. She was fast, sleek, and gleeming with pride. I... I think I love her.
Yeh the 611 J was quite a beast! Had my chance to ride behind it in Oct. 1994 out of Roanoke, Va to Walton and return. It was the week before it's last run, if I remember correctly. I can still hear that wonderful sounding whistle as it roared by us on several run-bys. 611 whistle Got alot of video tape that day. As mentioned, there was little time to get snap shots. Still have the dirty hat (611 coal dust) and a Bachmann model to remind me of that day. ...Eddie [ 07. August 2002, 04:26: Message edited by: eddelozier ]
