A close-up view of No. 611 during a steam test this morning.
N.C. Transportation Museum
N&W No. 611 without streamlined jacketing preparing to undergo a steam test at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C.
N.C. Transportation Museum
SPENCER, N.C. — The sight of smoke rising from the stack of Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 filled the Carolina blue skies this morning at the North Carolina Transportation Museum as the famous 4-8-4 saw its first testfire after restoration. This marks the first time the engine has been in steam since Dec. 7, 1994.
Crews started the process of bringing the engine back to life about 6:30 a.m. Eastern time. A switcher towed the engine out of the Bob Julian Roundhouse and placed it on a track beside the 1924 structure, close to a source of coal and compressed air. By 11 a.m. Eastern time, the process was going smoothly with no complications, all gauges working and a half glass of water on the gauge.
By 3:40 p.m., crews built up 150 pounds of steam pressure in the boiler: halfway to operating pressure.
“The restoration is expected to go fast and smooth from here,” says FireUp 611! organization volunteer coordinator Cheri George.
The locomotive began restoration in June 2014. Trains will cover the return to steam with a special magazine, 611 in Steam, available in July and with a DVD available in October.
Crews started the process of bringing the engine back to life about 6:30 a.m. Eastern time. A switcher towed the engine out of the Bob Julian Roundhouse and placed it on a track beside the 1924 structure, close to a source of coal and compressed air. By 11 a.m. Eastern time, the process was going smoothly with no complications, all gauges working and a half glass of water on the gauge.
By 3:40 p.m., crews built up 150 pounds of steam pressure in the boiler: halfway to operating pressure.
“The restoration is expected to go fast and smooth from here,” says FireUp 611! organization volunteer coordinator Cheri George.
The locomotive began restoration in June 2014. Trains will cover the return to steam with a special magazine, 611 in Steam, available in July and with a DVD available in October.
This is wonderful!!! Glad I sent them a donation!
Holy smokes! Literally, and figuratively.
In a world full of ISIS and $18 trillion deficits and nut-job FOs flying A320s into the Alps, this is wonderful. No other description works as well.
Ain't that some beautiful black smoke! Won't be long now and she will be back on track. I hope to be there with my trusty Canon and a lot of anticipation.
So awesome to see this beautiful lady being brought back to life. Many thanks to all who have worked & contributed to making this day possible. It is a dream come true for her many fans. I was in Roanoke on May 24, 2014 as she began her journey & have visited her in Spencer. I have ridden behind her on three occasions and am looking forward other trips. She is truly the Queen of Steam. Long may she steam.
How wonderful that is. I used to ride behind 611 when she pulled the Suwanee Steam Special years ago now between Jacksonville Fla. and Valdosta Ga. The engine never had any problems at all on any of those trips.
She looks like just another steam locomotive without the streamlining!
Amen, Joseph!! That aside, this is a great day for all of us who love and appreciate the awesome spectacle of an operating steam locomotive. I can't wait to feel the ground shaking and the cinders falling as she passes at track speed.
Wow.
Do I hear a fire up the 1218 campaign coming soon? I hope.