A new member from Northern Europe

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Hi all, 

Greetings from a newly joined 611 & N&W friend from Finland!

I am a Finnish male, born at May, 1950, height 70 inches, strong built.  This partially explains that I consider the 611 the all time greatest locomotive in the world.

In my second latest visit to US in summer 1998, I met another steam enthusiast at Homeward Suites hotel, Austin, Texas, who learning that my details match the 611's, donated me the 611 "Thanks for the Memories" T-shirt which I am wearing writing this.

As to the J series in general, 80.000 lbs tractive effort without booster, capability to have a constant speed of 110 mph hauling 15 heavy passenger cars on level, combined with superior reliability and modest service requirements makes this loco in my mind impossible to beat.

Do you see it feasible to once again restore the 611 to a running condition?  

Markku Kastinen