RE 611 Last Runs

[NW Mailing List]

Ed,

If you happened to be looking out the cab window as 611 went through Christiansburg (Cambria) I was one of two people standing on the platform.  It was my first year at Virginia Tech (VPI as it was known then) and I waited several hours to see 611 go by.  When it did,  I could hear her  coming up the grade for some time (both exhaust and whistle) and that the no-whistling ordnance must have been ignored as she passed by the Piggly Wiggly (??) store at the grade crossing just west of  the station.  I got a photo of the vertical signal heralding 611's arrival and also a photo of her headlight as she passed by the end of the platform.  That was about it except I noticed that the exhaust didn't fade until she passed the end of the yard.  No slacking off until the summit was reached!!   I thought that I'd never see this again. A few years later in Wasena park, I repeated that remark to my son and daughter, not realizing that we would be lucky enough
 to ride behind 611 in the 1980's.  Maybe I can do  it again with my grandchildren.  Which will happen first, 611's next reincarnation or.....

Dave Stephenson

From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 1:16 PM
Subject: Re: RE 611 Last Runs
 


Is there anyone out there who can share with me the first “last run”, Roanoke to Williamson and 
back,  in October 1959?  I was on the engine from Bluefield into 
Roanoke (other occupants of the cab were Engineer Noah Blevins, who fired, and 
Assistant Road Foreman Paul Cabiness, who ran, TRAINS photographer Bill Akin and 
none other than OWL himself), and couldn’t bear to see it go to Shaffer’s 
Crossing to have the fire dropped for the last time.
 But I’m glad that you youngsters have similar feelings . . .
 
EdKing 
From: NW Mailing List 
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 12:13 PM
To: NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org 
Subject: RE 611 Last Runs
  
I highly suggest the January 1983 issue of Trains magazine 
featuring the rebirth of 611. 
 
There is a piece later in the magazine called "Twenty Minutes To Roanoke" 
by WJ Walker. 
 
Much like Bob's words, it will keep you glued to your seat saying 
"Yes!"
 
Jeff Lisowski

 -- 
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!" 
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