Welcome Old Friend!
I can't really say "Welcome Back" since 611 has been back for awhile now. However...
On December 3, 1994, on cold misty night in Northern Georgia I said good-bye to N&W J-Class #611 as it stormed by in the darkness knocking down a green signal and then seemingly its whistle continued to echo against the mountains for miles and miles as it proceeded south. After years of chasing Southern/NS Steam all over the place with my brother, that it was all coming to an end was a bitter moment to be sure.
It would be 28 years, 10 months, and some odd days until I'd lay eyes on her in person again. A lot has changed since then - a lot of different trains, chases, trips, and adventures. But finally, I was able to make it to see her pulling a weekend of trips for the Virginia Scenic as the fall colors took hold of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia. Complete with Brother and now Nephew and Grand-Nephew at my side. WAY overdue!
Want to see a Video from the weekend? www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZM6Aw0_oOU
-Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 J-Class #611
-Virginia Scenic Railway "Shenandoah Valley Limited"
-Buckingham Branch RR, North Mountain Sub, MP CA233.72
-Shenandale Gun Club Entrance
-North Mountain, VA
-October 14, 2023
TT1_4099.jpg
Welcome Old Friend!
I can't really say "Welcome Back" since 611 has been back for awhile now. However...
On December 3, 1994, on cold misty night in Northern Georgia I said good-bye to N&W J-Class #611 as it stormed by in the darkness knocking down a green signal and then seemingly its whistle continued to echo against the mountains for miles and miles as it proceeded south. After years of chasing Southern/NS Steam all over the place with my brother, that it was all coming to an end was a bitter moment to be sure.
It would be 28 years, 10 months, and some odd days until I'd lay eyes on her in person again. A lot has changed since then - a lot of different trains, chases, trips, and adventures. But finally, I was able to make it to see her pulling a weekend of trips for the Virginia Scenic as the fall colors took hold of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia. Complete with Brother and now Nephew and Grand-Nephew at my side. WAY overdue!
Want to see a Video from the weekend? www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZM6Aw0_oOU
-Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 J-Class #611
-Virginia Scenic Railway "Shenandoah Valley Limited"
-Buckingham Branch RR, North Mountain Sub, MP CA233.72
-Shenandale Gun Club Entrance
-North Mountain, VA
-October 14, 2023
TT1_4099.jpg