Norfolk & Western No. 611 sits at Buena Vista, Va., this morning on its trip to Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road.
Kevin Gilliam
BUENEA VISTA, Va. — Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 has begun its trek to Pennsylvania, but its northbound run through the Shenandoah Valley is going less than smooth thanks to a freight train with a dead distributed power unit ahead of it.
The locomotive left Roanoke, Va., behind Norfolk Southern C40-9W No. 9214 as the steam locomotive does not have Positive Train Control or cab signals. It is moving via the former N&W Shenandoah Valley line to Hagerstown, Md., and eventually Harrisburg, Pa., before moving to the Strasburg Rail Road for events in late September and October. In addition to its canteen, the consist includes a tool car and two gondolas of coal.
At last report the engine was at Buena Vista, Va., about 60 miles northeast of Roanoke, waiting on NS to send power to a freight that was stalled ahead of No. 611 to clear up the single-track main line. No. 611 is expected to reach Strasburg on Tuesday.
Still in Shenandoah, VA. Likely to get going about 10 AM.
The 611 is “hot” and could run. Problem is coal and water. They are towing some coal, but have no way to load it.
Is it “live,” or “dead-in-tow?” If it’s “dead” it obviously can’t assist in anything.
Any updates?
…and Strasburg at the crack of dawn? A long, long day for the 611’s crew.
Likely to Shenandoah 10 PM ish.
611 is aimed in the wrong direction to help.
Still at Buena Vista.
They should use 611 to push the stalled freight like UP once did with 844.