J611 – Just Listen To The Stack Talk

J 611 lets you know she is coming!

J611 is seen here climbing the 1.5% grade on Christianburg Hill in Virginia.

Hauling 21 cars and 2 tenders on rain soaked tracks, J 611 is using her full 5200 horsepower and 80,000 lbf tractive effort.

You can hear her strain as she flexes her muscles at maximum steam pressure. A powerful machine, the J 611 boiler is rated at 300 psi. and could pull 15 cars at 110 miles per hour!

With a weight of 494,000 lbs., her 27×32 inch cylinders turn her 70 inch driver wheels, she handles these grades, no problem!

Some quick facts about Norfolk and Western’s J-Class #611

• Manufacturer: Norfolk and Western Roanoake Shops
• build date: 1950
• Wheel alignment: 4-8-4
• Drivers: 70 inches
• Locomotive and tender weight combined: 872,600 lbs
• Maximum speed: 110 MPH

Let us know if you have ever seen this magnificent machine rolling down the tracks. We would love to hear your comments!