Norfolk & Western Railway 4-8-4 No. 611
Roanoke, VA, United States 		Location: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Status: Operational
Posted: Jul 10, 2025 @ 12:07:15 by Russell Newman
The former Norfolk & Western Railroad, Class J 4-8-4 No. 611, one of the most famous steam locomotives in North America is returning to the mainline again following a partership between the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Steam Railroading Institute along with the Virginia Scenic Railway and the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society that will bring the famous locomotive back into steam again to operate a limited series of passenger excursions along the Virginia Scenic Railway this Autumn or fall as it is known in America.
Posted: Apr 12, 2023 @ 10:04:08 by Russell Newman
Having been operating at the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania since 2021, former Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 one of the most famous steam locomotives in the United States of America will be operating at the Strasburg Railroad for the last time during May 2023. After that the locomotive will be returing home to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, there have been no details as of yet on when and where the locomotive might run again upon its return to Virginia.
Posted: Oct 8, 2021 @ 10:10:45 by Russell Newman
The former Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 is to remain at the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania over the winter where it will undergoing an annual inspection and maintenance, following the conclusion of its operations over the summer season there. While remaining at Strasburg, the locomotive will undergo a required Federal Railroad Administration inspection of the boiler’s flexible staybolts and caps.
Posted: Apr 20, 2021 @ 05:04:13 by Russell Newman
The former Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 one of the most famous steam locomotives in North America is to make another visit to the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania for the summer and autumn months from May to October 2021. During its visit the locomotive will be working Excursion rides as well as letting visitors have Cab Tours, Whistle Blowing, In-Cab Experiences, and Fire-Up Experiences which is a driving and firing course as well.
Posted: Nov 11, 2019 @ 05:11:12 by Russell Newman
Ex Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 will be staying at the N.C. Transportation Museum at Spencer, North Carolina over the winter. The locomotive will be on display in their Bob Julian Roundhouse till the start of the 2020 season for it.
Posted: Sep 19, 2019 @ 09:09:08 by Russell Newman
After her visit to the Strasburg Railroad the former Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 will visit the N.C. Transportation Museum at Spencer, North Carolina for a series of events there from late October to early November 2019.
Posted: Mar 14, 2019 @ 17:03:43 by Russell Newman
Taking up what happens in the UK out in the United States of America. Former Norfolk & Western Railroad J 4-8-4 No. 611 one of the most famous steam locomotives in North America is visiting the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania one of the best known American tourist railroads for the very first time. No. 611 will be on a four week visit there from September to October 2019 for a series of events there.
Posted: Jun 6, 2015 @ 17:06:26 by
location is actually Roanoke
Posted: Jun 3, 2015 @ 22:06:50 by 09trainman
Change the status to operational, she was operational since May 9th.
Posted: Jun 2, 2015 @ 21:06:58 by William
J611 return home to VMT 05/30/2015 under her own steam power after being rebuilt an under going her FRA inspection in Spence NC.
Posted: May 12, 2015 @ 17:05:31 by
please change to operational
Posted: Jun 3, 2014 @ 06:06:16 by Ryan Gerhardt
The 611 is now located in North Carolina and will be there for at least 9 months while being restored to operating condition.
Posted: Apr 4, 2014 @ 09:04:42 by Ryan Gerhardt
611 is going to be moved to North Carolina this May. There, she will be restored to operation which will take a little less than a year (assuming no problems are found). After that, she will be steamed back to Roanoke! They plan on using her for 21 Century Steam in 2015.
Posted: Jul 13, 2013 @ 09:07:31 by Jason Leach
the status of 611 should be changed to awaiting restoration as the VMT has announced that a campaign is underway to return 611 to operating condition. If they can raise the money they need by October 31st, They plan to have 611 running next year.
Posted: Nov 25, 2011 @ 17:11:04 by Jeremy
In 1956, 611 derailed along the tug river near Cedar, West Virginia pulling The Pocahontas. Excessive speed over the curve was the determined cause of the crash.
Posted: Oct 27, 2007 @ 19:10:08 by martin
The tug of war was a great success. Praise VMT for doing this along with the ones who voluntered to do this move.
Posted: Aug 31, 2007 @ 06:08:35 by martin
On September 8th of this year, 611 and 1218 will be at the East end shops for the 125th anniversary.
Posted: Aug 17, 2007 @ 24:08:06 by Connor (Virginia Museum Of Transportation)
THe 611 is Semi Permanent display, along with the tug of war event which will happen in october, itll be grand to see her move, as some saw her when we tested if it would work or not
Posted: Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:06:47 by martin
The museum will soon be moving 611 to keep the bearings free. They are also letting people pull it with a rope when they move it out. Sounds like fun to me!
Posted: Apr 11, 2007 @ 20:04:18 by John Heid
I heard that every week a group of volunteers come in and tow her back and forth a few feet to keep her bearings lubed. Guess that won't be needed anymore.
Posted: Dec 27, 2006 @ 13:12:15 by martin
I LOVE the 611 and would also like to see it in action too Don. But I heard it is on permanant display. Sorry
Posted: Dec 28, 2005 @ 20:12:48 by Don
As a HUGE fan of the 611 I would like see her back in action...if there's a serious petiton going around count me in..thanks
Posted: Aug 31, 2005 @ 16:08:14 by peter m. preston
The Norfolk & Western built a fleet of fourteen 4-8-4 that were excellent balance of strendth and speed.They were built by the N&W's own forces in its shops in Roanoke,Virgina.

In 1950, after the big three steam locomotive builders had stopped building steam locomotives,the Norfolk & Western Railway built three more Class J-1s (611 through 613) These last three were the last steam passenger locomotives built for an American railroad. However,they were so well designed and built that one could be pulled by several people with a rope. 611 has McGill Multirol Bearings, roller bearings on rods and engine, plus driving, trailer, and tender wheels.

Posted: May 22, 2004 @ 18:05:54 by Qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm
U think this engine is pretty big, well It's not the biggest streamlined steam locomotive with a 4-8-4 wheel arangement. The biggest is Sounthern Pacific GS-4 4449. The drivers on 4449 are higher by 10in. 611 is more powerful than 4449.
Posted: Aug 18, 2003 @ 02:08:04 by joshua moonshine
There is a petition underway to bring 611 back to steam so her status now should be awaiting restoration.