611 J series engine

[Buckcreek]

I am atempting to post some pics of a steam engine, its a NW railroad j series steam engine, they brought it in to the round house to turn it on the turntable. It was the first time a steam engine had been on the turntable in 50 years, and i had the privledge to turn it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif .

 

[Buckcreek]

The 611 J had a big tender and a water buffalo with it, it was a fun day at work. ive got some more pics of it ill try to post a few more.

 

[Buckcreek]

pic #3

 

[Buckcreek]

and another

 

[Buckcreek]

and one more , i have other pics but will have to dig them out.

 

[MossRoad]

What a beautiful machine! When were the pictures taken?

 

[PineRidge]

Great pictures, clean looking machine!

 

[Deerlope]

That is a fine look at history and a fine piece of workmanship.

 

[Buckcreek]

Moss the pictures were taken june of 93, They were haveing some kind of celebration about some kind of merger , cant remember the whole thing--LOL. they could have turned the steam engine at a Y but wanted it on the turn table for historical reasons. The shop use to be a steam engine shop for NW Railroad, but is now a car repair shop for NS. Ive logged alot of hours on the turntabel moveing coal cars from shop to shop. alot of walking. We used a remote control shuttle to move the cars, it was cool but took a mans job. When it was broke down we would use a galion tractor to move the cars with. but the co. didnt like that because it took two men to do the job. one to drive and one to spot the cars and operate the table.

 

[Buckcreek]

Deerlope , they use to run excursions with that engine, it would come through williamson, wva. quiet often but i heard that they quit because of liabilty problems. i may be wrong but i think its in a mueseum in roanoake VA. now. I use to get to water it at times when it would pass by. One of my co workers filmed the whole thing and gave me a copy of it , iwas too busy working my tale off with the big shots watching me very carefully . it would of been my but if it would have derailed on the table /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but everthing went smooth and i got a pat on the back /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, They said the only reason the 611 wasnt scraped was because it was wrecked when they quit using the steamers and just came out of the repair shop. I quess they had too much in it to scrap it. I seen it on the history channel i think it was talking about the history of steam engines , they said NW made thier own locomotives and the 611 J was a streamliner for pulling passenger trains, The cars it pulled said Powhatten Arrow, on the side of them, My dad said the can remmeber riding it to cincinatin ohio. sorry about the long post this is not like me /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif im a quiet man but steam engines and tractors get me excited. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif