Join the discussion on the following article:
611 In Steam
Norfolk and Western 611 is one great steam locomotive that has stood the test of time. It had appeared at quite a few National Railway Historical Society conventions when they have either been held along former Norfolk and Western or Southern Railway lines. It has pulled many excursions and it will be back doing what it does best as it makes its triumphant comeback on the Norfolk Southern rails like she did when she made her first comeback in 1982. She is streamlined perfection as she rolls down the rails and is a sight to see when she rolls by. I have never seen Norfolk and Western 611 in person but I have seen it in print, slides, videos and films. She would be a sight to see roll through somewhere one day and I would be there with my camera in hand and where I will be standing to photograph this great locomotive as she rolls by with a her passenger cars in tow. It is great to see Norfolk and Western 611 back in action and hopefully one day we might see Norfolk and Western 1218 back runnning again along with Norfolk and Western 611, Southern Railway 4501 and Nickel Plate 765 as they pull many different steam excursions.
It is very rare for me to read a magazine twice. 611 In Steam I have read three times and likely a fourth. Excellent photography and superb writing makes this a special issue to be enjoyed and researched again and again.
I thought Jim Wrinn, Kenneth Miller and Kevin Keefe all showed us how to be a journalist reporting the facts but telling a great story. Then you included a fabulous treat of not one but two reprints of David P. Morgan’s writing . By having such high quality contemporaneous writing included, it brought all the stories together. Well done Kalmbach and thank you!
This is one of the best specialty magazines ever done by Kalmbach and Trains. It is very well put together, and all the writings flowed together smoothly. As another reviewer mentioned, it is certainly a wonderful privilege to read the unique work of the late David P. Morgan as well. As a bonus, not only does this special issue cover the 2015 restoration and inaugural excursion season, but it also covers some major highlights of the famed 1982-1994 Norfolk Southern excursion era. The history of the J class locomotives along with the other N&W steam giants in the 1940s and 1950s is also exciting to read about in this treasured masterpiece of a magazine.
I highly recommend purchasing several copies of this to have on hand and to give to your friends and family. It will never go out of style.