Norfolk & Western 611 completed her 2017 excursion season over Memorial Day weekend with a series of six excursions out of her hometown Roanoke. As in previous years these trips ran up the Blue Ridge grade to Lynchburg and the Christiansburg grade to Walton, with two Walton trips on Monday the 29th. Huge crowds turned out to ride and watch as the big J-class stormed across her home rails on the 67th anniversary of her completion at Roanoke's East End Shops, and they were not disappointed!
I was only able to chase the Saturday excursions, and I can't say I'm too pleased with what I got. My chase plan for the Walton trip was just bad, and the crowds seemed even worse than the last two years I've chased these trips. Montgomery Tunnel is joining the Vicker coaling tower on my "never again" list, that's for sure. Still, it is always great to see the J in action, and it was fun bringing my friend TastyRailfanning along for his first mainline steam experience. And for the first time in a long time, I'm not worried about the future - there have been some strong indications that she will run in 2018, and I'm excited to see what the future holds. (2021 update: That last sentence aged like milk lol)
LOCATIONS:
0:00 Market Street Walkway, Roanoke
0:51 Blue Ridge Parkway, Bonsack
2:04 US 460, Montvale
2:46 Cobbs Mountain Rd, Thaxton
4:00 Fort Ave, Lynchburg
4:40 Lindsay Rd, Forest
5:50 Villamont Rd, Villamont
7:44 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke
8:28 Gainsboro Rd NW, Roanoke
9:37 US 460, Elliston
11:11 Den Hill Rd, Christiansburg
12:41 Chrisman Mill Rd, Christiansburg
14:20 Blankenship Rd, Shawsville
15:35 W River Rd, Wabun