Built in May 1950 at N&W's Roanoke (East End) Shops in Roanoke, Virginia, it was one of the last mainline passenger steam locomotives built in the United States and represents a pinnacle of …

Jul 9, 2025 · The 1950 Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 is the sole surviving Class J 4-8-4 steam locomotive. After entering service in 1950, it transported passengers until it retired in …

Feb 27, 2025 · In the case of Norfolk and Western 611 and its sibling "Class J" 4-8-4 locomotives, the railroad was looking for a fast, reliable, and efficient steamer which could pull a passenger …

In "Norfolk & Western 611: Return to the Mainline," we will witness 611 reliving what it was built to do, haul fast passenger services in its home state of Virginia!

The 611 is considered one of the most powerful and technologically advanced steam locomotives ever built, and is the only surviving Class J steamer to the present day.

Oct 26, 2025 · orfolk & Western #611 was one of fourteen Class 'J' passenger locomotives built by the Norfolk & Western Railway between 1941 and 1950 and the only one in existence today.

Norfolk & Western No. 611, also known as 'The Spirit of Roanoke' and 'The Queen of Steam', is a class J 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive built by the Norfolk & Western Railroad (N&W) …

Oct 20, 2025 · Built in at the Norfolk & Western Roanoke yard at the end of the steam age in 1950, this 4-8-4 “Class J” locomotive is considered the pinnacle of steam locomotive …

#611 is the largest and most powerful, operational, coal burning steam locomotive in the USA. N&W J #611 is owned by the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia.

Dec 14, 2023 · Completed in May 1950 by the Norfolk & Western Railway in Roanoke, the coal-burning steam locomotive spans 110 feet in length and weighs 872,600 pounds. The attached …