The Norfolk & Western’s “J” Class steam passenger locomotive No. 611, famed for its work as a regular railroad engine and later for its excursion runs, left the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke last week heading to Goshen, Va., to begin a five-weekend series of runs on the Virginia Scenic Railway.
Larry Hypes
Contributing Writer
The Queen of the Rails once again rules the high iron.
No. 611, only surviving member of the Norfolk & Western Railway “J” Class steam passenger locomotives, was taken from exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke last week and is now ready for a five-weekend series of excursions on the Virginia Scenic Railway in Goshen, Va.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with these other organizations to make the fall excursions a reality,” said VMT Director Mindy Flynn. “The 611 is a piece of American ingenuity and symbol of our rich railroad history.” The transportation museum is working in a joint venture with the Steam Railroading Institute, the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society and the combined efforts of hundreds of volunteers.
Today, the “J”, owned by VMT as a traveling exhibit, is the official Steam Locomotive of Virginia, a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Noted Norfolk & Western Historical Society writer and photographer Kenneth L. Miller, author with Timothy R. Hensley of “Six Eleven: 3 Times a Lady,” speaks of the locomotive’s ties to Montgomery County and the City of Radford.
“This locomotive which for years ran daily routes through Elliston, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski and Dublin, on through to Cincinnati, was a staple of transportation up and down the Roanoke Valley on its runs between Norfolk and Cincinnati.”
Miller, along with Norfolk & Western director Doug Andre and many association members, concludes, “The 611 is a fine tribute to the craftsmanship of the designers and construction workers in Roanoke. I am pleased to see it running again.”
No. 611, one of 14 “J” Class engines built by N & W between 1941—50, is a 4-8-4 streamliner often called the most modern steam locomotive in America, weighing 247 tons, with 70-inch driving wheels, featuring 300 psi boiler pressure, and capable of speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
From 1950 through 1959, when the railroad dieselized, the 611 and its sister engines were nationally regarded for their style, efficiency and reliability, regularly running 15,000 miles per month on the 677-mile mainline passenger route.
“This is the same engine that concluded the steam passenger era on the N & W, making its final run on October 24, 1959,” recalls Miller.
Interest in rail travel in the New River Valley is rising since remarks by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber and several dignitaries on April 24, 2025 announcing that AMTRAK service will be returning sometime in 2027 using the former Christiansburg station, giving access to national train routes. The 611 is primed in the next few weeks to give scores of fortunate rail rans a taste of the unique experience of riding the train.
Plans call for runs between Victoria Station in Goshen and on toward Staunton in four-hour runs.
