Put out to pasture
Although intended for high-speed passenger service, and capable of speeds over 100 mph, Norfolk & Western's 14 J-Class steamers had relatively short careers, ranging from 10-20 years, depending on how early they were built. At the end of their service lives, some of these engines were relegated to freight service, as depicted in this 2019 re-creation at Pennsylvania's Strasburg Railroad. Here, we see the sole survivor of the class, #611 hauling a vintage freight through farm fields not unlike what she would have seen in Virginia. This image was captured as the train climbed the grade out of Paradise, PA on the sweeping curve named for the late Henry K. Long, a former Chairman of the Board of the Strasburg Railroad.
Put out to pasture
Although intended for high-speed passenger service, and capable of speeds over 100 mph, Norfolk & Western's 14 J-Class steamers had relatively short careers, ranging from 10-20 years, depending on how early they were built. At the end of their service lives, some of these engines were relegated to freight service, as depicted in this 2019 re-creation at Pennsylvania's Strasburg Railroad. Here, we see the sole survivor of the class, #611 hauling a vintage freight through farm fields not unlike what she would have seen in Virginia. This image was captured as the train climbed the grade out of Paradise, PA on the sweeping curve named for the late Henry K. Long, a former Chairman of the Board of the Strasburg Railroad.