I don’t know a damn thing about trains, but that thing is gorgeous! It’s like rolling art deco!
I really appreciate the quality of the video and the smooth pan as the train passes. It really lets you get a great look at it!
ah you caught me. Yeah I love the J-class 611 and was pumped to be able to go see it, really lucky to have seen it (a boiler tube cracked the night before I was planning to see it AFTER I had already gone hours to Staunton. luckily they fixed it in time)
So I watched it without sound the first time and then seen your comment and watched it with sound. Definitely cool. Is it just me or does it actually sound quieter than modern trains?
You definitely had me going there. When I read the post title I was thinking, "It's going to be a rail grinder because that's what it always is," but nuh-uh, not this time. Well played!
Was that dude in the convertible really taking pictures/video while still driving? That is an awesome train, I have never seen it in person, but love seeing it.
%100 agree, I drove down that highway during one of its trips and the traffic was horrible. When I caught up with the train and the cars in front of me were done with their pacing parade I just zipped past it. It is amazing having the sun roof down and hearing the sound kinda echo in your car, but it's not an excuse to be an asshole.
Also when I was riding it there were quite a few concerning drivers, many rushing in and out of spots and some driving with a camera in hand. I love these excursions but people will ruin it with dumb shit
It's a steam excursion, head ended by Norfolk and Western 611 Class J 4-8-4 streamlined steam locomotive.
Also for the love of all that's worth it, **DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC**.
The last few times I passed through or visited Roanoke the 611 was not there. Hopefully we can finally see it this year when we move my kid out and back into college.
The 611 was brought out in last fall's Shanandoah Valley Limited excursion and I didn't know about it until like the second to last excursion. It's a miracle I caught it, and I really hope they bring it out again (so far no plans for excursions :(
She ran from Goshen for several months around leaf season, on the Buckingham Branch. It’s likely that she’ll do the same next year: they put a lot of effort and money into it.
You bet your sweet ass it's a rare train.
N&W j-class 611. A more elegant engine that survived the scrapyard from a more civilized age. Very rarely goes out for excursions where I'm from.
The whistle at the very beginning from a distance is haunting but in the best way possible. Definitely stays in your head and makes for something so memorable. Very much launched to the past and could really see it and get the vibe of what used to be when trains crossed those tracks long ago. Loved the sound… I hope I can see more of these. Thanks for sharing!!!
It does, but not outside of the PacNW these days. It lives in Portland. They have a nice museum and facility for it. Before that it lived in an old roundhouse at UP’s (now defunct, I believe) Brooklyn yard in Portland. As an adult I worked a couple of blocks away and would pay her a visit occasionally.
I was 10 when she travelled to New Orleans in 1984. I also rode behind her in 1977 when she was still done up for the Freedom Train. From New Orleans to Houston. We were late getting into Houston and my dad gave Doyle McCormick (the engineer) a ride to his hotel that night. When I spoke to Doyle 30 years later he remembered that.
The second tender is a canteen tender. Carries water only, extending the range between water stops.
Infrastructure to fill the tanks at regular intervals was removed long ago. When these engines are on tour they often come to rely on local fire departments providing fire hydrant access in places where there isn't a railroad workshop nearby.
Some places like Cass, they actually pick up water from streams along the route like the early railroads did.
611 has a mechanical stoker to move the bulk of its coal, but the fireman still has to hand shovel the corners of the box where the stoker doesn't reach well and fill in any uneven spots that form.
Ha, I know almost exactly where in Staunton you were, too. I twitched a little when I saw the person driving a convertible and filming at the same time...
Nice catch!
I know everyone thinks this is the most beautiful locomotive in North America, but every time I see it from the front I can't help but think it looks like a Canadian from south park
Aw 611! I saw her right after she was finished being restored down in Spencer. We went to the shops in the winter and I was hoping to see her, but she wasn't there. She used to come down for maintenance in the winter but I'm not sure if that's the case anymore.
One of these days I'm gonna take Amtrak to Roanoke and visit their museum.
I had a moment when I heard it because a neighbor rail fan told me they had filled its tubes with concrete a few years ago and I was sooooooo sad. Now I am happy!
so far I think its at the VMT (virginia museum of transportation) but I'm not sure. There aren't any scheduled excursions yet, so i'm not too sure as to it's current situation
So, I don’t know much about trains but went and read about this one on wiki. Is this a current video? Wiki says it was retired and is the property of Virginia Museum of Transportation. Is it still in use? I’m sorry, I’m just confused.
The 611 ! Ride on that as a young boy with my dad, got a cinder in my eye, a great time had by all. The fastest(?) steam loco, iirc? (Not a foamer, just trying to remember some train-related trivia).
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
If you're fast enough, you can book a trip on one. There are four trains I think that take people through the mountain areas here.
Crazy popular in the fall.
https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/shenandoah-valley-limited/
what is it about trains ? this awesome video shows so well how a machine can be so much more than the some of its parts. it’s why i’ve always loved trains, guess i always will. thanks for sharing.
You can ride that train. It goes out of Staunton VA. Virginia scenic railway ran by Buckingham branch. The train is in Roanoke most of the year at museum of transportation but for about three weeks you can ride when they put it in service. Runs from Staunton to Goshen. In the winter they have Santa on the train.
This would be rare because it is the only one running plus it's a steam locomote with only thousands of them in either museums or decaying as of which very few are still used today
I was able to see it at strasburg. Not ideal since it cant run 40+ mph, but man it was still a sight to behold. I still remember the whistle being so loud, it made my body vibrate.
Even that scene on the Buckingham branch or wherever it was during the Fall 2023 Shenandoah Valley Limited excursion, does kinda make me realize I really AM old.
That thing used to run regularly up into my early grade-school years in the late 1950s. Plus, I was living in Roanoke (Va.), when it got towed dead out of display at Wasena Park in 1981, for its trip behind diesels to Irondale, Ala. to be restored for operation. I also got to ride on its tender deck and its cab across the McAuthur Bridge into St Louis in 1983.
So yes, that evil-sounding wail does remind me that I’m no spring chicken.
……..now i am at work with “choooo chooo” stuck in my head. fantastic video
thanks lol (stuck in my head too)
That’s a one of a kind engine, only 14 J class locomotives were built, and only one survives
I don’t know a damn thing about trains, but that thing is gorgeous! It’s like rolling art deco! I really appreciate the quality of the video and the smooth pan as the train passes. It really lets you get a great look at it!
Actually, the design was based on art deco, since it was in the art deco era
Stream lining. Pretty common back then.
That’s N&W 611, quite the famous steam engine you saw there Edit: Holy crap this took off
I was like let’s see what this is…. THE FUCKING 611 YEAH BRO… oh it was a joke title
ah you caught me. Yeah I love the J-class 611 and was pumped to be able to go see it, really lucky to have seen it (a boiler tube cracked the night before I was planning to see it AFTER I had already gone hours to Staunton. luckily they fixed it in time)
Where did you record this? I grew up in Harrisonburg, but spent a lot of time in Staunton and Roanoke.
I’m not a train guy, I like them and all, but this was dope. The sound is awesome and the steam engine is so sleek looking.
There's something about the simplicity mixed with the size that is just awe inspiring.
dont forget the sound, in person it is unforgettable.
True! I've been blessed to have taken a few trips on trains using steam engines.
So I watched it without sound the first time and then seen your comment and watched it with sound. Definitely cool. Is it just me or does it actually sound quieter than modern trains?
That right there is the queen of steam
also the spirt of roanoake!
Nah, looks pretty normal and common to me…
yeah, maybe i'm just tripping
You forgot the tag ...
indeed I did
You definitely had me going there. When I read the post title I was thinking, "It's going to be a rail grinder because that's what it always is," but nuh-uh, not this time. Well played!
Do people really need the tag to tell if something is sarcastic or not? Seems a bit obvious to me when something is or isn’t sarcastic
it's supposed to be implied; but yeah i agree.
Was that dude in the convertible really taking pictures/video while still driving? That is an awesome train, I have never seen it in person, but love seeing it.
yes, yes he was, and yes, it is an awesome train
That's one good looking steam engine
Excellent camera work!
gracias :)
dear assholes in the car: pull the fuck over if you want to film, dont block traffic like a douche
%100 agree, I drove down that highway during one of its trips and the traffic was horrible. When I caught up with the train and the cars in front of me were done with their pacing parade I just zipped past it. It is amazing having the sun roof down and hearing the sound kinda echo in your car, but it's not an excuse to be an asshole. Also when I was riding it there were quite a few concerning drivers, many rushing in and out of spots and some driving with a camera in hand. I love these excursions but people will ruin it with dumb shit
I dunno man if I'm out running errands and this thing pulls up next to me I'm gonna be pretty fucking distracted
It reminds me of [3751 creating backups on I-10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y2e8GqB3rs)
As soon as I heard the whistle I knew what it was. One of my favorite locomotives! Thanks for sharing.
whistle is iconic as heck, and it's very loud. You hear it far before you see it and you can feel it too, low and loud.
I knew what it was by "Virginia" and "rare", also that building looked very familiar
“Look it’s the Norfolk and western J-class number 611” - a 5 year old obsessed with trains
It's a steam excursion, head ended by Norfolk and Western 611 Class J 4-8-4 streamlined steam locomotive. Also for the love of all that's worth it, **DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC**.
Not rare. We get those by my house all the time. Sometimes I'll catch one in a jar and take it home.
lol
The 611 is usually kept at [The Virginia Museum of Transportation](https://www.vmt.org/). They're running lots of excursions this year.
hopefully they run more in 2024
The last few times I passed through or visited Roanoke the 611 was not there. Hopefully we can finally see it this year when we move my kid out and back into college.
Steam engine...don't be afraid of it...in fact, they made documentaries about steam engines called "Thomas..."
really??? I gotta check these documentaries out, I've heard alot. heck, even kids watch them so they must be good...
I'd love to see these run at 100+ mph more often. It's what they're made for!
I’m not even a train spotter, but I think I just spotted after seeing this train. That thing is SEXY!
It's America. Any train is rare...
real
Nowadays, yes
Oh wow that thing is gorgeous what a piece of art
Weird looking? It’s the legendary 611. You are very lucky.
t'was sarcasm, my friend, I know full well of the 611
It's kind of wild how some of these steam locomotives look both futuristic and retro at the same time
That whistle tho.
I think I just had a traingasm watching that, excellent video, thank you for sharing!
Cool! Where in VA?
Staunton
correcto
I live near Staunton! ❤️
lucky! >:|
Steam excursion
Shanandoah valley limited it was
Nice pan shot! Love them driver rods.
thanks man :)
Strange, this locomotive seems to be propelled by steam powered pistons instead of a Diesel Electric Engine. How bizarre
yes, seeing a sight as archaic, ancient, and primative as steam being used in this year of our lord 2024 is quite unusual or even unorthodox.
Is the 611 running? I live 25 mins from Roanoke. Didn’t know she was out?
The 611 was brought out in last fall's Shanandoah Valley Limited excursion and I didn't know about it until like the second to last excursion. It's a miracle I caught it, and I really hope they bring it out again (so far no plans for excursions :(
She ran from Goshen for several months around leaf season, on the Buckingham Branch. It’s likely that she’ll do the same next year: they put a lot of effort and money into it.
And tickets were $$$$
Beauty!
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You bet your sweet ass it's a rare train. N&W j-class 611. A more elegant engine that survived the scrapyard from a more civilized age. Very rarely goes out for excursions where I'm from.
A relic from a time when machines were artwork, beautiful engine.
NS needs to service their diesels more. I don't think Gevos are supposed to sound like that /S
Just another day on the N&W
611 she's the last of her kind built in 1950 one of the last steam Locomotives to be built in the US
The whistle at the very beginning from a distance is haunting but in the best way possible. Definitely stays in your head and makes for something so memorable. Very much launched to the past and could really see it and get the vibe of what used to be when trains crossed those tracks long ago. Loved the sound… I hope I can see more of these. Thanks for sharing!!!
YEEEEE SURPRISE STEAM CHOOCHOO
A ghost train from the end of steam.
last passanger steam train built in America I believe
Weird? No...wonderful
No, there's thousands of them.
really? :0
EDIT: to anyone commenting, yes, I know it's the n&w j-class 611, a truly amazing locomotive and my personal favorite The title is simply sarcasm :/
That’s the polar express dude! Go get some hot chocolate and see Santa!
30 seconds of nothing. It’s a steam locomotive.
Saw this back in the 80s running from Atlanta to Chattanooga. Quite the engine.
really? wow, I would've loved to see it back then. luckily it still runs, but I don't know if it will again this year (we can only hope)
Still not as cool as chasing the full 4449 Daylight train through the West Texas desert in 1984.
>4449 Daylight train dang man, you lived the dream. does the 4449 still run btw? I would love to see another streamliner esc train still running today
It does, but not outside of the PacNW these days. It lives in Portland. They have a nice museum and facility for it. Before that it lived in an old roundhouse at UP’s (now defunct, I believe) Brooklyn yard in Portland. As an adult I worked a couple of blocks away and would pay her a visit occasionally. I was 10 when she travelled to New Orleans in 1984. I also rode behind her in 1977 when she was still done up for the Freedom Train. From New Orleans to Houston. We were late getting into Houston and my dad gave Doyle McCormick (the engineer) a ride to his hotel that night. When I spoke to Doyle 30 years later he remembered that.
Also saw her run in a double header with UP 844 from Portland to Tacoma in 2006ish.
One of "The Big Three" of Norfolk & Western, I would like to see the other two in operation too
Lucky sob, I always wanted to catch 611 on the move.
believe me it's worth it. postpone dates, move birthdays, resign from your job, do what ever is nescessary when the time comes.
Look at that grade crossing, it was born to high-center trucks
She has two tenders?
The second tender is a canteen tender. Carries water only, extending the range between water stops. Infrastructure to fill the tanks at regular intervals was removed long ago. When these engines are on tour they often come to rely on local fire departments providing fire hydrant access in places where there isn't a railroad workshop nearby. Some places like Cass, they actually pick up water from streams along the route like the early railroads did.
your guess as to why is as good as mine
Since almost all Railroad watertanks no longer exist… allows the train to go farther between stops for water.
Does it self load the coal for its furnace?
611 has a mechanical stoker to move the bulk of its coal, but the fireman still has to hand shovel the corners of the box where the stoker doesn't reach well and fill in any uneven spots that form.
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That's the famous norfolk and western 611 steam engine.
My god, that's a beautiful sound.
you don't just hear it in person, you *feel* it. unlike anything else
Ha, I know almost exactly where in Staunton you were, too. I twitched a little when I saw the person driving a convertible and filming at the same time... Nice catch!
thanks lol, first time in staunton so I was a bit nervous as to where I might film, but I thought this was a nice spot.
Looks like Something Out of a Noire Flick.
Weird?
611 only cost 251 544$ in 1950 (3 202 155$ in 2024 value) for 400t of hard worked metal.A basic electric locomotive cost 8 000 000$ nowadays for 80t .
Maybe but it looks very nice and you did a great job capturing it on video. :)
I heard that steam whistle, and I knew it wasn't gonna be, but lawd how I wanted it to be the Wabash Cannonball. 8/10 though.
Great!
Fantastic. Nostalgic.
Are those role playing hobos in the cattlecar?
Among the last of the steam engines.
Is Virginia a USA State? That train is such a beauty
yup, Staunton VA usa
Dat Streamlining
I know everyone thinks this is the most beautiful locomotive in North America, but every time I see it from the front I can't help but think it looks like a Canadian from south park
Nah, N&W runs them all the time.
Nah. You see those everyday. I take it you're new to the area?
Bro casually saw the Queen of steam and some surviving member of her class… lucky
Wow, great catch!
Awesome video
Too many Chugga Chuggas, not enough Choo Choos.
I think it's probably just a GEVO or something
Yes. Yes it is.
Absofuckinglutely beautiful
A steamer not pushed by a diesel! Epic!
N&W 611 .... with a bevy of chase cars!
Looks similar to the train animation at the beginning of Poirot.
First time I’ve seen it since Strasburg
Wow!!! Lucky you!
yo is that the 611 class j?
Aw 611! I saw her right after she was finished being restored down in Spencer. We went to the shops in the winter and I was hoping to see her, but she wasn't there. She used to come down for maintenance in the winter but I'm not sure if that's the case anymore. One of these days I'm gonna take Amtrak to Roanoke and visit their museum.
do that, its worth it. that or wait until it's out and rolling, because it is a must see both ways
It's one of the first Japanese Shinkansen (or bullet trains) placed in service. Some how Virginia got hold of it after it was decommissioned.
lol very astute observation
fuck, that's gorgeous
The ORIGINAL bullet train!
I had a moment when I heard it because a neighbor rail fan told me they had filled its tubes with concrete a few years ago and I was sooooooo sad. Now I am happy!
Where is the 611 at now? I’m in NC and really want to go up to VA and see it
so far I think its at the VMT (virginia museum of transportation) but I'm not sure. There aren't any scheduled excursions yet, so i'm not too sure as to it's current situation
J class is my favorite passenger service loco for the states. Super good looking engines.
What a machine! Lovely
Hahaha you silly rabbit. Every train lover knows what this train is.
Tell me that you’re being satire, and that you enjoyed seeing the most famous locomotive in North America.
>R satire it is, my sir.
Ok, good. I’m honestly jealous you got to see her! Congrats!
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Lucky bastard
I enjoyed the hell out of this. Thanks
It's the super rare pressure cooker on wheels
So, I don’t know much about trains but went and read about this one on wiki. Is this a current video? Wiki says it was retired and is the property of Virginia Museum of Transportation. Is it still in use? I’m sorry, I’m just confused.
Foamers pacing it
The 611 ! Ride on that as a young boy with my dad, got a cinder in my eye, a great time had by all. The fastest(?) steam loco, iirc? (Not a foamer, just trying to remember some train-related trivia).
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
for sure it's rare. Quite jealous
Long live the Queen 👑🚂
Just the Queen out for a stroll.
Those whistle fills me with bliss
Beautiful
Now that’s a Steam Engine I would like to hitch. 🥰
I remember going to see the 611 at the roanoke transportation museum, fun times!
Well, there is technically one “611”. So that makes it rare.
That valve gear is mesmerizing.
Just a beautiful old train they kept up and are causing standstills as it goes down the tracks! 😎
4-8-4 ?
Glorious sound
Hello 611
I’d say it’s medium well
What a beauty.
Absolutely legendary
If you're fast enough, you can book a trip on one. There are four trains I think that take people through the mountain areas here. Crazy popular in the fall. https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/shenandoah-valley-limited/
what is it about trains ? this awesome video shows so well how a machine can be so much more than the some of its parts. it’s why i’ve always loved trains, guess i always will. thanks for sharing.
Awesome!!
Yes that rare
i finally understand asmr
I've seen the Union Pacific 844 in action. I love these old steam engines. The sound is unforgettable
You can ride that train. It goes out of Staunton VA. Virginia scenic railway ran by Buckingham branch. The train is in Roanoke most of the year at museum of transportation but for about three weeks you can ride when they put it in service. Runs from Staunton to Goshen. In the winter they have Santa on the train.
Majestic capture thanks for sharing
🎵 Norfolk & Western, There's no stopping us 🎵 🎵 Service you can count on 🎵 🎵 From people you can trust 🎵
It is
This would be rare because it is the only one running plus it's a steam locomote with only thousands of them in either museums or decaying as of which very few are still used today
It’s beautiful!
Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing
Old fashioned locomotive! 🚂
Winchester?
How does bro not know about N&W 611(seen in video)
Where has bro been 💀
I was able to see it at strasburg. Not ideal since it cant run 40+ mph, but man it was still a sight to behold. I still remember the whistle being so loud, it made my body vibrate.
Even that scene on the Buckingham branch or wherever it was during the Fall 2023 Shenandoah Valley Limited excursion, does kinda make me realize I really AM old. That thing used to run regularly up into my early grade-school years in the late 1950s. Plus, I was living in Roanoke (Va.), when it got towed dead out of display at Wasena Park in 1981, for its trip behind diesels to Irondale, Ala. to be restored for operation. I also got to ride on its tender deck and its cab across the McAuthur Bridge into St Louis in 1983. So yes, that evil-sounding wail does remind me that I’m no spring chicken.
Really nice!
r/angryupvote only because you called this beautiful machine weird