Norfolk & Western 611: Thunder in the Carolina Mountains (Spencer to Asheville)

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Norfolk & Western 611: Thunder in the Carolina Mountains (Spencer to Asheville)

Рет қаралды 41,215

Күн бұрын

On April 10, 2016 Norfolk & Western 611 ran a 285 mile roundtrip excursion from the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC to Asheville and return. This trip took her into the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains and over the famous Southern Loops for the first time since 1994. All along the route railfans and locals lined the tracks by the thousands to see the Queen of Steam thunder by, and the 66 year old J did not disappoint as she roared through the hills and valleys of Western NC.
We were up before the sun to catch her leaving Spencer at daybreak and finally abandoned the chase 12 hours later west of Marion as the sun was sinking towards the horizon. Despite the long day, this has to be one the most fun chases I've been on, and I look forward to repeating it someday.
LOCATIONS:
0:10 - North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer
1:46 - N Lee St, Salisbury
3:48 - Catawba Station Dr, Catawba
6:11 - Berea Church Rd, Connelly Springs
7:26 - Industrial Blvd, Morganton
8:40 - Andrews Geyser, Mill Creek Rd, Old Fort
9:53 - Yates Ave, Ridgecrest
11:04 - Hardesty Ln, Azalea, Asheville
12:07 - Hensersonville Rd, Biltmore Village, Asheville
12:30 - Fairview Rd, Biltmore Village, Asheville
15:07 - Glendale Rd, Asheville
17:18 - Broadway Ave, Black Mountain
19:04 - Round Knob, Mill Creek Rd, Old Fort
22:15 - Old Greenlee Rd, outside Marion

Пікірлер: 76

@haroldwilkes6608 2 жыл бұрын

The shrillness of the diesel horn presents a sad contrast to the soothing baritone of the 611. Love it. 22 cars, two diesels, an auxiliary tender, the old girls still has her stuff, especially on those grades. She's 7 years younger than me but a whole lot stronger (and prettier too). Long and lean, she's still the queen, Then the 611 she goes awalking And when she passes everyone has to smile....

@TheNoogaRailfan 8 жыл бұрын

One of my personal favorite chases that I did. Man it was fun, just wish I could've stayed longer for it!

@SmokyMtnSteam 8 жыл бұрын

+The 'Nooga Railfan It was definitely a very fun chase, hopefully NS will allow for a repeat next year.

@1ThomasBug 5 жыл бұрын

The item that sets your videos apart from all others is the time line and the location of each segment. So instead of just watching a train roll through the woods in an unknown location, I can follow along on the map program in the computer and see EXACTLY the location. On road trips this will point me EXACTLY to these beautiful observation points. WELL DONE !!!

@SmokyMtnSteam 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you! When planning I often see a great shot and can't figure out where it is, I'm glad to help others avoid that frustration.

@jameshall3747 4 жыл бұрын

A little bit of fun math i like to do. every Chuff you hear is 1/4 rotation of the main driver wheels. these wheels are 70" giving them a circumference of 219.9113" or 18.325 ft meaning in the time between chuffs the Locomotive has traveled roughly 4.5814 feet. If you have a stopwatch and count the chuffs for 15 seconds, the number you get is it's number of revolutions per minute. multiply this by 18.325ft for the feet per minute, then by 60 for the feet per hour then divide by 5280 for miles per hour. or take feet per minute and multiply it by .011363 to get miles per hour (60/5280). For example at the bridge crossing around the 4 minute mark the crossing starts at around 6.45 mph and picks up pace as it reaches the other side. This all assumes no wheel slip, and for faster speeds you would need to use an audio editing software to pick out individual chuffs as they blend together at higher speeds.

@0v3rr1d3 3 жыл бұрын

You just can't beat 611. Saw her so many times at the Roanoke Transportation Museum. Absolutely beautiful.

@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! What an amazing whistle on 611! I'm told that the whistle is off of SP 4449, originally fitted to a Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railway (SP&S) Class Z-8 4-6-6-4 locomotive, either SP&S 910 or SP&S 911.

@justahillbilly7777 4 жыл бұрын

I myself have heard that it's a replica of an original J whistle, and that it's off of its sister engine, the 610. I’ll let you come to your own conclusions on wether or not it’s a replica or an original, but I will say this: it’s certainly a Hancock long bell 3 chime, and it certainly isn't 4449's old SP&S Z whistle. That one got put on the 700 when it got put back under steam and has remained with the 700 since. Also, I gotta say, nothing will ever top the whistle the 611 had from '91 to '94. That whistle made that engine sound like a powerful animal growling at you to get out of its way.

@DelayInBlockProductions 8 жыл бұрын

Fantastic!

@oldskoold22 5 жыл бұрын

What a last shot on the video! Thank You!

@MrSteelman335 8 жыл бұрын

I wish I could have got more shots that day but it was still an amazing experience! I was at Azalea and on Glendale road as well when the 611 rolled through. I was the guy at Azalea with the red lumberjack shirt on and I was standing near the signal post close to your shot.

@SmokyMtnSteam 8 жыл бұрын

I believe we talked for a while at Glendale, I was the guy wearing a gray hoodie.

@donaldcasselman 8 жыл бұрын

Great video.....

@IanPooleTransportHub 8 жыл бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed watching, looking forward to seeing this magnificent loco next year when we come over to the StatesLiked and subbed

@SmokyMtnSteam 8 жыл бұрын

+IanPooleTrains Thank you for the comment, I hope she is running when you visit, its quite a sight to see her running in person.

@rogerlollar4325 Жыл бұрын

611 smiles at everyone

@struck2soon 8 жыл бұрын

Beautifully filmed, nice weather! Shame about the diesels, 611 seemed to manage well enough unassisted on previous outings?

@SmokyMtnSteam 8 жыл бұрын

+struck2soon Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The grade through the loops is a constant 2.2%. 611 needed to diesels to help push it up the grade and then help with braking on the way down. Even during the old steam program 611 needed diesel helpers in the loops.

@struck2soon 8 жыл бұрын

+SmokyMtnSteam fair enough, that is a steep gradient for such a heavy load. Luckily 611 looks so stunning that your eye drawn towards it rather than the grot-boxes behind.

@EstorilEm 5 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam Ohh that's the grade that was built to replace Saluda right? Awesome area out there. In some of those shots it sounded like the diesels were completely shut off (when they went through town at 18:03 for example).

@justahillbilly7777 2 жыл бұрын

@@EstorilEm Nah, the S Line and the Saluda line, *IF* I've got my history correct, were built at around the same time. I've never really heard of any rail lines built to replace Saluda.

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

12:07 clever use of your side mirror

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

12:37 y is she panting? She just got started. Lol

@brianfalzon6739 3 жыл бұрын

We wish mainline steam excursion operations will just come back to life under steam again in the future! It’s upsetting how they aren’t like this anymore.

@billietyree6139 3 жыл бұрын

Wonder why they made the old girl pull those two diesels around? Did they think she may go supersonic if they didn't hamper her with nearly a quarter million tons of pig iron?

@DixieRailProductions4018 5 жыл бұрын

I have family up in Black Mountain. Infact my uncle videoed 611 at that time.

@athopi 3 жыл бұрын

Some of the best shots I've seen of 611. When does its boiler ticket expire?

@SmokyMtnSteam 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! 611's boiler should be good until Spring 2030.

@SantaFe19484 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome video!

@LWOPP 7 жыл бұрын

Like all your videos, this one is beautiful; the editing is first rate. But that poor horse at 22:09 just breaks my heart.

@SmokyMtnSteam 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed (most of) this video.

@thenorgalofthehills5688 7 жыл бұрын

13:04, Just outta curiosity, what exactly happened? Also I really love all the footage you got. I'd love to ride behind 611 one year.

@SmokyMtnSteam 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I hope you get the chance.At 13:04 someone almost walked in front of the photo line.

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

Asshole

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

That other guy sounded pissed

@marshallbritt7184 11 ай бұрын

Rode the loops steam in. Front. Steam in rear. Pushing. Pacific. I think. Carolina. Special

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

13:00 that’s kinda creepy. No sound at all. Y do steam engines do that sometimes?

@justahillbilly7777 6 жыл бұрын

At 7:26 you were in my hometown. I wish I could've rode this but alas, I was unable to do so. Maybe the next time steam runs on the Loops I might be able to ride behind it.

@SmokyMtnSteam 6 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately after NS downgraded the line it looks like steam may never climb the loops again :( We can always hope.

@justahillbilly7777 3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam NS downgraded the Loops?

@SmokyMtnSteam 3 жыл бұрын

@@justahillbilly7777 Yes, the track is now maintained to a lower standard meaning the entire line from Salisbury through Asheville has a max speed limit of 25mph. An excursion at that speed wouldn't be able to make it there and back in a day. Although it is a moot point now that neither NS nor Amtrak are willing to support mainline excursions.

@justahillbilly7777 3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam Ah. When'd NS lower the standard of maintenance on the line?

@SmokyMtnSteam 3 жыл бұрын

@@justahillbilly7777 Not long after 611's visit, maybe two or three months later

@FloridaRailfan 7 жыл бұрын

Are there excursions that run along the French Broad on NS?

@SmokyMtnSteam 7 жыл бұрын

Southern 630 ran a weekend of excursions from Knoxville to Asheville in late 2013. No passenger trains on that route since then.

@FloridaRailfan 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks...we went kayaking along the French Broad and the tracks were right on the river bank...I've always wanted to go back and shoot trains along the river

@kerrydinwiddie2080 4 жыл бұрын

Love trains

@marshallbritt7184 11 ай бұрын

Steam. Was. King in. The 1950s

@alberthguss3642 Жыл бұрын

It's a pity that in Mexico those classic trains are no longer in circulation.

@docholliday5472 7 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed the video. For some reason, when you first uploaded it, it didn't show up in my Subscription List.

@SmokyMtnSteam 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm glad you finally found it!

@railfancannon9321 7 жыл бұрын

What was the engine number on the Amtrak

@docholliday5472 7 жыл бұрын

I don't know the engine #, but the train was Amtrak #80. It goes from Charlotte, NC to New York City, NY.

@railfancannon9321 7 жыл бұрын

Ryan Shipp oh I just subbed to your channel can you sub back

@brianrigsby7900 2 жыл бұрын

13:01 was someone walking onto the tracks off camera or something? What was all that yelling?

@SmokyMtnSteam 2 жыл бұрын

They were yelling at the man who walked in front of our cameras.

@brianrigsby7900 2 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam y was she so quiet? Kinda creepy

@thewwebeastatgamesnetwork 7 жыл бұрын

you got my dad in there :) at about 13:10 he's the one with the pocket knife that shines clear

@evanf1293 4 жыл бұрын

When did the excursion start around 7am???? I'm only wondering since its still a bit dark when 611 departed NC Transportation museum

@SmokyMtnSteam 4 жыл бұрын

Yep, 7am departure. It was a long trip, she got back to Spencer well after dark.

@evanf1293 4 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam damn everyone who must of saw her for that excursion and rode the excursion must of been very tired when they arrived and left

@SmokyMtnSteam 4 жыл бұрын

@@evanf1293 Yeah but it was worth it, I think everyone went home happy.

@evanf1293 4 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteamYep

@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266 4 жыл бұрын

It sucks that CSX won’t let them do this anymore

@CraterFilms 8 жыл бұрын

Ok, this has to be the same tracks that the GSMR runs on with that bridge and Connelly springs. Please let me know.

@thomasbush5778 8 жыл бұрын

GSMR Does not run on these rails, these are owned by Norfolk Southern and GSMR owns their rails. GSMR is the former Southern Railway Murphy branch, 611 would never be able to operate there due to clearances, 4501 is almost too big to run there. This video is of Norfolk Southern's former Southern Railway mainline between Salisbury and Asheville! Btw, fantastic video, i've watched it time and time again!

@atsfevan0242 4 жыл бұрын

Was there a reason for the 2 southern diesels with her?

@SmokyMtnSteam 4 жыл бұрын

Its a steep climb between Old Fort and Ridgecrest so they were needed to help pull the train up and to provide dynamic braking on the way down.

@atsfevan0242 4 жыл бұрын

@@SmokyMtnSteam i see why didn't i think of that proably was too distracted about the exciting thing I'll be doing tommorow that's train related

@brianrigsby7900 3 жыл бұрын

Where’s her bell?

@justahillbilly7777 2 жыл бұрын

Under the pilot close to the fireman's side cylinder.

@jacobforbes39 8 жыл бұрын

Why is there 2 diesel engines with her

@docholliday5472 7 жыл бұрын

Dynamic breaking. If a steam locomotive goes into the high mountains without diesel giving dynamic breaking, the insurance for the train is really expensive.