During a late August Day in 2019, the legendary sole survivor of the famed Norfolk and Western "J" Class locomotives would finally arrive at the Strasburg Rail Road. After a long journey beginning from the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Norfolk & Western 611 would finally roll onto the Road to Paradise, one of America's oldest and most popular shortline railroads. With the much anticipated "Reunion of Steam" drawing closer, the promise of two Norfolk and Western steam locomotives operating together for the first time since the age of steam ended becomes even more of a reality. Sit back, relax, and enjoy as this iconic locomotive traverses the rails of the Strasburg Rail Road for the very first time brought to you by Eastern PA Railfan Productions!
With Strasburg Railroad 2-6-0 mogul 89 in charge of the final train of the day, the run around operation begins as 611 arrives on the Keystone corridor and stops just ahead of the switch that leads to Strasburg's line. After the regular train departs, Norfolk Southern GP38-2 5657 and 5654 lead the move as 611 is not equipped with PTC (positive train control). They push 611 into the siding and 611 then waits. The GP38-2s then leave to clear the track. Returning to Leaman Place, 89 returns to run behind the ferry move to East Strasburg Station. A few Amtrak trains run by in the meantime. Before departing, 611 then moves in front of 89 and sits while 89 couples to the back of VMT's tool car. The move then departs Leaman Place at a restricted speed of 10 miles per hour.
At Groff's Grove, 611 runs forward through the passing track to test the switches to make sure everything works out. Crew are out on the ground monitoring for problems. The move pauses for a moment and is back underway at a restricted speed of 15 miles per hour up the grade past Cherry Hill. A crowd gathers at the Caboose Motel and welcomes 611 to her temporary fall residence in Pennsylvania.
Once 611 enters East Strasburg Yard, 611 uncouples from the move and runs forward, while 89 moves the tool car and auxiliary tender into the yard limit. The "J" then creeps forward to test out the tracks she will use. Once 611 approaches the water tower, a problem is discovered. The chain that hangs down from the spout will not clear 611's iconic sky-lining. The crew manage to move 611 forward so the crew can tie up the chain with wire so 611 is able to clear the water tower. The crew also tests the switch near the water tower, and 611 makes some real noise on that. The track strained under the weight of the "J" class. N&W 611 then moves back into the yard to be put into the shops for a month to be inspected and readied for the next month of excursions.
Locations:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Leaman Place Junction
10:09 Cherry Hill
12:40 Fairview
13:45 East Strasburg
Special Thanks To:
- The Strasburg Rail Road Company
- Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Norfolk Southern
- Amtrak
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Filmed on Wednesday, August 21, 2019
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© Keystone Rail Productions (Formerly Eastern PA Railfan Productions) 2019
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