Personally, I think the loco is ugly. But I must say though I LOVE the sound of its whistle. And any chance to make old steam come back to life has my vote and support.
Ugly or no, I would love to see her run again. As a matter of fact, the other steam engine behind her should be done as well!
If you mean the A class 1218, that could be a much more difficult project. Some of it, like at least one of the piston/rod assemblies seems to be missing. When the NS shut down the steam program in 1994, it was undergoing a rebuild program at the Birmingham, Alabama shops. The fire box and boiler tubes were all being replaced. I don't know if all the pistons were removed so it could be easily moved back to Roanoke and were not all reassembled or were lost. I suppose new pistons could be built up if the old ones are not found.
Definitely different from some I recall, or have heard since then. A fellow I know refers to it as a steam boat hooter.
How could anyone consider this beauty to be "ugly?" She was one of the best performing 4-8-4s ever built. My luck catching her at Appomattox in 1993. A year later she was cold.
Streamlining of steam was gaining popularity in the late 40s and 50s. It modernized the steam engines in appearance, making them look almost futuristic. I found a pic on line that I had never seen before of a streamlined Southern (yeah, I know) engine. I didn't even know they had any like this. The pic was taken in 1947 and its a 4-6-2. I wonder what ever happened to her. Looks like a mini version of the J-3, but N&W 611 wasn't built until 1950. Here it is:
I've never seen or heard about such a locomotive on the Southern RY. I would wish someone could tell us more.
She was a beauty to watch. I had the privilege of giving her chase from Cincinnati, Ohio to Richmond, Indiana and the return trip back to Hamilton, Ohio. I was able to visit with the crew and managed a cab tour. She is as smooth as silk to ride in. To watch her drivers take hold and move the train while listening to the sounds of steam is awesome. I'd love to see her back in action, out and about, kicking up her heels.
I once had an N scale Con Cor Hudson painted up in that scheme. I thought they had dreamed it up. Thanks for posting that.
Did some research. Southern 1380 pulled a train called The Tennessean and was retired and scrapped in July 1953. What a shame. It sounds like it was the only 4-6-2, maybe the only steam engine, that Southern streamlined. Interesting story here: http://www.wilkinsontrains.com/traindisp.cfm?train_id=364 Very famous designer for streamliners on many railroads in both steam and diesel. If you read the article, the passenger cars that were designed for her and pulled by her sounded NICE! Makes me all the more happy that N&W 611 was saved. My understanding is that there were 14 of these built for N&W and this is the only one left. I have not seen her in person, yet. Maybe once she is redone I can catch a ride on her consist! Dean
Sweet! And when you do, let me know. I might pay you to make a second one! I would love to have a model of that engine too!
The interesting thing is that the 611 also pulled the Tennessean when she ruled the rails. I have seen her several times at her home in the museum in Roanoke and have dreamt that this day would come. There had been rumors for several years about her making a comeback. They need our support financially as well as interest wise. They have a survey up to get information on interest, etc. so go ahead and take it and if you can spare a dollar or two give that as well. I have told my girlfriend that I will move heaven and earth and pay whatever the costs to be on the inaugural run when the time comes. She looked at me and laughed and said "I know"
The Tennessean actually ran over the N&W from Lynchburg, VA to Bristol, VA-TN where it returned to Southern rails to continue it's journey to Chattanooga and Memphis, TN. There were at least two other Southern Railway passenger trains that also ran over the same N&W route. The Pelican ran from New York to New Orleans, LA via Chattanooga and Birmingham. Lastly was the Birmingham Special that also ran from New York to Birmingham (back in the 1940's and 50's, Birmingham was second only to Pittsburgh, PA in steel making thus a dedicated passenger train). As one who grew up around the N&W J's (my family was worked for the N&W) both in regular service and later in 611's excursion life, the N&W J's had ONLY two peers...The NYC Niagara's and the LAST series of Santa Fe Northern's. Except for these when it comes down to drawbar horsepower AND low operating cost per mile...the J will leave everybody else in it's dust.
I completely agree. She is without a doubt the prettiest locomotive that ever roamed the rails. She is known throughout the world. Its amazing to see how many logos she has inspired, even if their owners have no idea about her.
I was browsing in a book store in Edinburgh Scotland when I came upon one of the first paper back UK editions of a book in the Harry Potter series. On the cover was an image of the 611 pulling a train. I guess it was supposed to be the Hogwarts Express.
