The most perfect locomotive

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I am a very unfrequent contributor to this respectable list.  I have a serious admiration to N&W class J for following reasons:

* best combination of drawbar and speed
* reliability
* operational efficiency
* very beautiful
* I am born in May 1950, the same date 611 came out of Roanoke factory

I have heard records of the loco doing 118 mph with a few cars and steady 110 mph with 15 pasenger cars.  This in unbeliaveble considering the tiny 70" driving wheel diameter.  Is there anyone alive who can confirm these feats?

Markku Kastinen,
Steam Enthusiast, Finland