In the middle of the summer of 2025, a major announcement from the Virginia Museum of Transportation & the Buckingham Branch Railroad was made, an announcement which turned many heads- Norfolk & Western #611 was set to return to steam. This announcement was at the shock of many, most of whom were still reliving the unfortunate failures of the 2023 operating season. However, with all rumors, doubts, and speculation put to rest, #611’s return would be a welcome sight to all.
Beginning in late September of the same year, #611 would go on to pull 5 weekends of excursions throughout the Virginian countryside on an excursion monikered “The Shenandoah Valley Limited,” giving countless people the chance to experience the queen of steam in all her glory. These runs would mirror the excursions of the same name only 2 years prior, operating round-trips between Goshen & Staunton VA. Out of the 5 weekends it ran, I managed to chase 3 trips in total across 2 days: October 24th & 25th respectively. Come along as I chase #611 roaring through Virginia for the first time in her Return to the Shenandoah Valley. I hope you enjoy! :)
People I Met:
@railfanningwithtydan
@LevisaPro
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Special Thanks To: The Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Buckingham Branch Railroad/Virginia Scenic Railway, the Steam Railroad Institute, the Crews of #611 & everyone else involved in making this unforgettable experience possible
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00:00 - Intro
00:10 - Idling in Goshen, VA
01:25 - Departing Goshen, VA
02:10 - Hunters Crossing Rd, Goshen, VA
03:05 - Little Calf Pasture, Craigsville, VA
03:45 - Estaline Valley Rd, Augusta Springs, VA
04:35 - Shillings Trail, Swoope, VA
05:30 - North Mountain, Swoope, VA
07:10 - Scott-Christian Rd, Buffalo Gap, VA
08:15 - Hebron Rd, Swoope, VA
09:25 - Cross B Crest Farm, Staunton, VA
11:00 - Departing Staunton, VA
13:00 - Outro
History of 611
Soon after the outbreak of World War II, the Norfolk & Western Railway found itself in need of new power to handle increasing traffic demands over the Blue Ridge Mountains, particularly on the steep, twisting grades of Virginia and West Virginia. Rather than ordering a new design from an established locomotive builder, the railroad’s mechanical engineering team was tasked with designing and building the engines in-house. What emerged from the Roanoke Shops in 1941 and 1942 were the first four of a new class of J class 4-8-4 “Northern” locomotives, a class that would eventually grow to fourteen engines. Easily recognizable by their jet-black, Tuscan red, and gold streamlined shells, the Js were the most powerful 4-8-4s ever built, and are widely regarded as one of the most efficient steam locomotive designs in history.
No. 611, like her sisters, quickly earned a reputation for fast and reliable service, hauling the railroad’s premier trains such as the Pocahontas, Powhatan Arrow, and Cavalier. The engines routinely accumulated nearly 15,000 miles per month in revenue service, proving themselves to be extremely capable and rugged machines. Even after being reassigned to secondary freight service in 1958, the Js continued to perform with little difficulty. However, steam’s days were numbered, and by the end of 1958 the N&W retired its remaining steam locomotives in favor of diesels. Still, the J’s were some of the most modern mainline steam locomotives in the country, and lasted far later than most.
While awaiting scrapping, 611 was selected for preservation at the request of W. Graham Claytor Jr. Upon her return to Roanoke, the locomotive operated a handful of excursions in 1959 before being retired and later used as a stationary boiler. However, the J wouldn’t remain silent for long, as plans for an operational restoration emerged in the 1970s, culminating in 611’s return to service in 1982. The locomotive went on to operate extensively in Norfolk Southern’s steam program alongside A class No. 1218, running excursions until 1994 and becoming one of the most popular preserved steam locomotives in the country.
While it would be understandable for the J’s career to end here, the locomotive proved too stubborn to stay quiet, and in 2014 the J began yet another full restoration headed by the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Returning to service just over a year later, the 611, now widely known as The Queen of Steam, continues to operate on occasional excursions, a acting as a lasting testament to the J's enduring legacy
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