Special events will be held Nov. 1-3, giving visitors a chance to see the 611, enjoy a cab tour and blow the whistle, photograph the locomotive, take a caboose ride behind the train, and to take the throttle of this steam-powered behemoth.
VIP locomotive tours will be held Nov. 1. The $35 one hour sessions will include a presentation on the 611’s recent operations, a visit to the cab of the engine and a chance to blow the whistle.
Nov. 2 and 3 will offer “At the Throttle” sessions, allowing visitors to operate the 611 under the supervision of a qualified engineer. These half hour sessions are $611 per half hour. “Be the Fireman” puts the visitor in the fireman’s seat, keeping the locomotive running strong. A half hour session is $305.50. “Jump Seat Cab Rides” provide an up close view of the action in the cab of the 611 and are offered for $100/half hour. During these sessions, the 611 will be pulling an authentic N&W caboose. Visitors can ride along for just $10, plus museum admission.
Event times and tickets are available now at www.nctrans.org/Events/611.aspx
VTM spent all the money a number of years back to restore 611. Then only take it out a couple of times a year. Never been much more than 350 miles from Roanoke since.
They are always asking for more donations for maintence & Upkeep on 611. Until they bring it out to the western or southern sections of NS (Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Jacksonville; they won’t get any more from me.
The assignment of a caboose intended for freight trains instead of a railway coach coupled to No. 611 cheats the riders out of a true passenger train experience. After all, No. 611 was designed to to power passenger trains.
Can I just be the first person to say that the whole 611 event at Strasburg might actually prove that any steam locomotive can visit Strasburg or any other railroad in the country?
I mean, we have locomotives like 4501 and 765. Plus, with restorations on such engines like the Reading T1 about to be completed, anything is possible. Heck, maybe even 611 could someday go as far to Steamtown for a visit. They have an actual legit main line afterall. Again, with money, anything is possible.