Norfolk & Western 611: The Most-Powerful 4-8-4 in the World

My Grandfather used to run 611 and the other J-class locomotives between Roanoke and Crewe, VA on N&W Passenger service. Although he loved the performance and beauty of the J’s, I remember him telling me that he stayed a lot cleaner when they changed over to Diesel locomotives!

Got to visit the 611's cab when they were waiting at a signal in Chattanooga. It was a sobering experience and I received a new appreciation for steam engines upon that cab visit. Used to "conductor" the fall excursions with Herman Lamb in the mid to late 80's When the 611 was not available, N&W 1218 pulled the excursion.

As a train driver in the UK, I feel like we need some of these “Control Point Explicit” markers. 58:13 Every driver needs that sort of motivation.

Nice to discover another restored operational steam locomotive the Norfolk & Western 611 and train excursions. About a month ago stumbled on Canadian Pacific 2816 steam locomotive pulling Diesel-electrics with a 2,000 ft long train various vocation restored rail cars touring Can, US, heading to Mexico and later to return. Also learned about Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy steam locomotive was restored and operational.

Watching this brought back alot of great memories of the old NW steam locomotives

I got to run 611 at Strasburg, it was a spiritual time for me, thinking back to all the men and woman involved, to her darkest hour when she flipped almost into the Tug river; even the fact the N&W got her running again in less then a month just blows me away. The fact she is still around at a time when the N&W scrapped just about everything blows my mind and yet here she is 74 years young and still acts like she's brand new. 611 took my heart and here's to more brighter future. Roanoke born, Roanoke Bred, Roanoke Pride! Thank you for this beautiful video of her rebuild and runs.

This was beautiful!

Strongest would've been more accurate to say since the Js are unrivaled in tractive effort w/o a booster when it comes to 4-8-4s. The most powerful 4-8-4 would be the NYC Niagara, as they put out the most drawbar horsepower of any 4-8-4, though not by a lot. Still, the N&W J is my favorite 4-8-4, beautiful, modern, remarkably efficient for a steam locomotive, need I say more?

I've been lucky enough to ride behind the 611 twice its just too cool

I was a passenger on the Spencer to Asheville trip in the N&W 539 coach. That was the second time I’d been on a passenger train over the loops, the previous time being in 2013 when I worked the trips from Asheville to Old Fort with the 630.

That beautiful 611 is cool 🖤🖤❤️❤️

Very interesting. I had the opportunity to ride behind 611 at the Strasburg Railroad in 2019, and while she wasn't exactly running at full steam, it was nevertheless quite an experience to see her up close and in motion.

Great video.

Several people are commenting about how there were some that had more horsepower, but you have to remember that that isn't the whole picture. Norfolk & Western had more powerful locomotives already, BUT, the J class was designed to be a best of all worlds locomotive. .It could heavy haul coal out of the mountains, and then it could run at 110 mph for passenger service or freight on flat land when they stretched her legs out. Plenty of locomotives for more powerful, but they were slow, and there were plenty of fast rigs, but they didn't have the power for hauling in the mountains. She really was the best of the breeds.

I remember april 10 very well. I chased 611 to marion and back. I'll never forget the stack talk from 611 as it went uo the loops.

That was amazing you guys 611 is such a beautiful locomotive isn't she

Such a magnificent steam locomotive. I got to ride it last year when it was on the Virginia Scenic Railroad on the Shenandoah Valley Limited Excursions

Beautiful video of Norfolk & Western 611.

My uncle helped build her in the Roanoke shops, and both he andy dad rode behind her on the Powhatan Arrow when they were in the Navy during the Korean War. I toured the cab when I was eight or nine, before they brought her back to steam in the early '80s, one day I'd like to actually ride.

Such an awesome sight at 4:40 when 611 was leaving....smoke and steam galore!