Riding Behind Steam, Volume 7 Norfolk & Western #611
Volume 7 was recorded on June 4, 1983, as Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 #611 pulled a round trip excursion from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and return.
#611 had been on the road in excursion service for a year at the time these recordings were made, the newest gem in Norfolk Southern’s steam program. This was prior to the imposition of the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit on steam excursions, and #611 ran track speed at many time throughout the trip.
The route between Birmingham and Chattanooga was perhaps the most traveled by the locomotives of the Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern steam program as the program was based at Birmingham’s Irondale shop. The route featured a well maintained line and plenty of hill and dale running, giving the locomotives a chance to put on a show. #611 took full advantage, departing Birmingham and blasting up Irondale Hill with no problem just as her designers in Roanoke intended.
The sound of a Class J with a heavy passenger train on a hilly mainline and with her authentic N&W passenger whistle is unforgettable!
The time this recording was made was much like the time we are producing this CD; #611 was making a splash as she returned to steam, just as she is the center of attention as she begins her second excursion career in 2015.
