It has been a long time since the fires have gone out on #611 and #1218. I know that both locomotives reside in Roanoke, VA. The last time I recall one of them being taken out of the Virginia Transportation Museum must have been at least 10 years ago when no one less than O. Winston Link himself requested 1218’s presence. Needless to say Norfolk Southern were able to oblige him. What I am wondering is there an chance that either of these two “giants” of steam locomotives will ever being in excursion service again? I understand that Class A #1218 had quite a few mechanical problems and spent a prolonged time in the shops in Birmingham, Al before being retired. But, I understand that Class J #611 was in good working order prior to “retirement”. Any one know anything else about these locomotives? Any chance that #611 or #1218 will “live” again to the delight of thousands?
Craig:
Just a short note of correction to your mention of the “Movements” of
N&W J Class 611.
From this website; linked here: http://www.vmt.org/visit/calendar.html
Movement of N&W Class J 611
Norfolk Southern will pull the N&W Class J 611 out of the Museum’s Rail Yard on May 7 and move it along the NS mainline to serve as the centerpiece of the O. Winston Link Museum’s Train Day festivities.
Movement is now anticipated to start as early as 9am. For safety reasons, observers are NOT permitted behind the Museum between the west end of the Museum and the 5th St Bridge. We recommend viewing from a designated portion of the Museum’s Rail Yard (after 10am), the Rail Walk or the 2nd or 5th Street Bridges…"
Further from the above link:
Return of the 611 on May 9
“…NS returns the 611 to the Museum on May 9. The move is anticipated to be completed by 1pm. For safety reasons, observers are not permitted behind the Museum between the west end of the Museum and the 5th St Bridge. We recommend viewing from the Rail Walk or the 5th or 2nd Street Bridge…”
Found these videos and thought they might be fun to link here! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q53_VEoLZEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXMTECO4Pd8&NR=1
As far as possibly returning either 611 or 1218 to self-propelled excursion status, exceedingly unlikely.
1218 was pretty much gutted when the decision was made to reassemble her and move her to Roanoke for the museum. IIRC, the boiler mud ring was in need of significant repair. Boiler reassembly was limited to cosmetic completion - it is nowhere near operation capable.
611 was coming up on some mandatory inspection/repair actions when withdrawn from service. In the years since, FRA regs have been tightened for steam boiler safety. Bringing the big bullet into compliance would cost a bundle, even if parts were available.
As for parts, all of the spares for both locos (including some things that were unique and are now totally unavailable) were sold for scrap shortly after the end of the NS steam program.
Nothing is impossible - but the expenditure of the price of a couple of new diesels to return one old steamer to service…???
Chuck
I’m not sure how much a new road diesel costs, but I know Tornado, the newest steam engine in Britain, cost about 500,000 pounds, about the same in US dollars, to build and keep up to Main line certification. Maybe someone with more diesel knowledge will help.
I am surprised management iis even allowing this effort. They view the steam program as if it spread the plague.
As many many threads on the topic of bringing steam back to life have concluded in the end - yes it’s always totally possible. It’s just dependent on the $$$, and lots of it!
British Sterling Pounds are not similar to US Dollars - that 500,000 Pound Sterling comes out to about $ 730,000 US Dollars! Most current US road diesels(GE/EMD) are in the $ 2,000,000 range…
Jim
60163 ‘Tornado’ actually cost over £3,000,000 pounds, that is about $4,400,000 to build.
Anything is possible with plenty of money and some main line track to run the locomotives. These two requirements will prevent the 611 and 1218 from running any mainline again in my lifetime.
CZ
The Tornado project was launched in 1990. Donations, large and small, by individuals and Companies helped get it built. It took 18 years to accomplish.
It could be done in the United States but I guess the issue of ‘which’ loco might slow things down. [;)]
Tornado will be visiting the Heritage line where I volunteer on Sundays in July, August and September so I am looking forward to seeing her again.
If the US was to make a completely new steam engine, I’d opt for a PRR T-1 4-4-4-4…a very iconic loco.[:D]
It may be a bit prosaic but a C&NW Class E 4-6-2 would be a better choice, it would have a wider operating range and the first “400” was pulled by one of them.
A New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson is the most glaring locomotive model ommission in preservation in North America.
If a miracle happened and something like the Tornado project ever happened here, I can’t imagine anything but a replication of a NYC Hudson being created.
I would guess that the ‘Driver’ behind this steam renewal is more than likely Mr. Charles W. Moorman, C.E.O.
He has some good examples to follow in the Claytor Brothers and their support of the original steam program.
Horsepower at that level can really make things happen!
I’'m with you!
There is no doubt in my mind that Wick is the “driver”. He is after every scrap of public support he can get for public-private partnerships such as the Crescent Corridor…even from us crazy railfans.