I was on the March 28th excursion that you filmed. I miss being able to ride behind that locomotive, and stand in the vestibule with the upper half of the dutch door open. I never got any video of 611, so thank you for providing your video!
Fantastic video. I miss the 611 in operation. I have been to Roanoke to see her and the 1218 once in 2003 and it was just so depressing to see them parked there and quiet having seen and rode behind both locomotives some 9 years and 11 years earlier. I hope that the limited scope of the program with 610, 630 and 4501 will prove to be positive for 611. Heck the Fort Wayne Railroad group has just finished converting 765's tender trucks to roller bearings. It would be nice to see her on NS rails.
611 needs FRA & EPA required modifications to the firebox. Boiler re-tube and inspection. Valves and such need re-worked as well. They should still be timed correctly. Otherwise she is in decent shape. Pumps and injectors are good. Rod bearings and driver bearings I know where to get those as I know where they were bought in 1982. They are still available. (I checked) As long as they have sat they need replaced. It's basically got to be stripped down inspected and reassembled. Every nut and bolt
God I know. I just hope after 19 winters the pumps and injectors haven't developed any freeze damage. I just hope to never hear these words…" I have three extra bolts here. Anyone know what they go to? " LOTS of brazing, welding, machining parts, replacing bearings, hitting your head on things, and busted knuckles lay ahead. I don't even want to talk about the insurance involved.
Can't say… All I'm going to say is 611 does have a lot going for her if the rebuild proceeds. She is in "decent" shape. She shouldn't be a problem to rebuild. There will always be "issues" that come up in a rebuild, but for the most part she is in good shape.
The hole in 1218 is supposed to be there as part of a required modification to the firebox that was being done at the time she was in the shop when the program ended. 611 will have to have the same thing done if someone puts up the money for her rebuild.
@LionelKid18 sry bud 611 and 1218 will never be out on the rails again. granted 611 has a better chance its just to, well idk t just wont be out and about in the near future
Don't say never. 611 has people looking into putting up the cash as of last Sept. It's just a matter of time. I know more, but am not saying exactly what or who is looking into the rebuild… 1218…Well, I doubt it. Half the parts are laying loose inside the boiler. It's all there, but man o man it'd be a job.
There is no such thing as "Can't be fixed" with a steam locomotive. With people that know them and have the tools and the talent ANYTHING can be made to be put into service again.
I know the condition of the 1218 as of the time it left the shops in Birmingham, AL at the time the program ended. There is nothing that was done to disable or make her unfixable. It's just not really practical at this point and time. In a few years… maybe it can be looked into if the program progresses to the point it would be practical money wise to do it. At this time though it's just not practical to do. I was around them both since the 1980's. Trust me I know both of them VERY well.
Hopefully NS will need a bigger loco for its excurisons then 611 might come back. 1218 doesn't have a rain makers chance in hell unless someone puts up the cash.
I was on the March 28th excursion that you filmed. I miss being able to ride behind that locomotive, and stand in the vestibule with the upper half of the dutch door open. I never got any video of 611, so thank you for providing your video!
Fantastic video. I miss the 611 in operation. I have been to Roanoke to see her and the 1218 once in 2003 and it was just so depressing to see them parked there and quiet having seen and rode behind both locomotives some 9 years and 11 years earlier. I hope that the limited scope of the program with 610, 630 and 4501 will prove to be positive for 611. Heck the Fort Wayne Railroad group has just finished converting 765's tender trucks to roller bearings. It would be nice to see her on NS rails.
long live 611&1218 hope to see theres roll again
Awesome video! BTW Norflolk Southern has considered to start a new steam program! But, idk if they'll use #611 or #1218 again.
great vid
This was on her trip back to home rails after her first restoration, wasn't it?
No. It was in 1992
611 needs FRA & EPA required modifications to the firebox. Boiler re-tube and inspection. Valves and such need re-worked as well. They should still be timed correctly. Otherwise she is in decent shape. Pumps and injectors are good. Rod bearings and driver bearings I know where to get those as I know where they were bought in 1982. They are still available. (I checked) As long as they have sat they need replaced. It's basically got to be stripped down inspected and reassembled. Every nut and bolt
God I know. I just hope after 19 winters the pumps and injectors haven't developed any freeze damage. I just hope to never hear these words…" I have three extra bolts here. Anyone know what they go to? " LOTS of brazing, welding, machining parts, replacing bearings, hitting your head on things, and busted knuckles lay ahead. I don't even want to talk about the insurance involved.
Can't say… All I'm going to say is 611 does have a lot going for her if the rebuild proceeds. She is in "decent" shape. She shouldn't be a problem to rebuild. There will always be "issues" that come up in a rebuild, but for the most part she is in good shape.
The hole in 1218 is supposed to be there as part of a required modification to the firebox that was being done at the time she was in the shop when the program ended. 611 will have to have the same thing done if someone puts up the money for her rebuild.
@LionelKid18 sry bud 611 and 1218 will never be out on the rails again. granted 611 has a better chance its just to, well idk t just wont be out and about in the near future
kevdoom2 The future is speaking: The Queen is back 🚂
She has been sitting for 18 years now and as such will need a total rebuild. Tubes and flues are only part of it.
Don't say never. 611 has people looking into putting up the cash as of last Sept. It's just a matter of time. I know more, but am not saying exactly what or who is looking into the rebuild… 1218…Well, I doubt it. Half the parts are laying loose inside the boiler. It's all there, but man o man it'd be a job.
There is no such thing as "Can't be fixed" with a steam locomotive. With people that know them and have the tools and the talent ANYTHING can be made to be put into service again.
I know the condition of the 1218 as of the time it left the shops in Birmingham, AL at the time the program ended. There is nothing that was done to disable or make her unfixable. It's just not really practical at this point and time. In a few years… maybe it can be looked into if the program progresses to the point it would be practical money wise to do it. At this time though it's just not practical to do. I was around them both since the 1980's. Trust me I know both of them VERY well.
Hopefully NS will need a bigger loco for its excurisons then 611 might come back. 1218 doesn't have a rain makers chance in hell unless someone puts up the cash.
the only thing that they need to do with the 611 is fix up the firebox & some lube & It'll be ready to go.