ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 No. 611 will again return to Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road for excursions and other special events, the Virginia Museum of Transportation and Strasburg have announced.
The Strasburg visit will begin later this month and continue through October 2021. Events will include opportunities to ride behind the locomotive on the Strasburg; cab rides; and opportunities to operate, fire, and maintain the engine. Photo and educational sessions and shop tours are among other events on tap.
“Since its restoration, the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) has sought opportunities for 611 to engage people from all walks of life,” Brian Barton, VMT board member, said in a press release. “The partnership with the Strasburg Rail Road allows us to spark a fascination with steam locomotives and transportation, our history, steam technology, mechanical engineering, and design.”
The 2021 trip builds on a four-week visit by the 611 in 2019 [see “N&W No. 611 to visit Strasburg …,” Trains News Wire, March 14, 2019]. Watch the Strasburg Rail Road website for more information.
It is great that it gets to run and be seen (and heard) but sad that it can’t really stretch its legs. Rode behind it on two Independence Limited trips (One with Claytor at the throttle doing 80+ mph) and I’ll NEVER forget them) Rode behind it (or one of its twins) in revenue service back in the ’50s.
All really nice, but this locomotive ought to be able to open up on a mainline.