Larry Hypes
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG –- Norfolk & Western’s mighty J-611 thundered through…the library.
Walter Rosenberger, a mechanical engineer, N & W Historical Society member and sometimes fireman on the “J” entertained a gathered crowd Saturday at the Christiansburg Public Library with facts, figures and personal stories curved around videos including the “611: American ICON” as well as personal slides and comments.
“Working with perhaps the finest steam locomotive ever built is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Rosenberry, a mechanical engineer who described the 611 as an enormous machine whose sounds and tendencies have a personality that those who hear, see or operate it all respect. The J-611 is a 250-ton steamer capable of speeds of 110 miles per hour.
Railroad interest is rising in the area in anticipation of the 2027 Christiansburg AMTRAK route using the Cambria station that will feature daily stops connecting with Roanoke and nationwide destinations. The J-611 just completed a five-weekend excursion schedule of its own, on the route between Goshen and Staunton as an astonishing 17,000-plus riders enjoyed the thrill of big steam on the main line.
Local townspeople are among the rail enthusiasts.
“My husband, John, and I live two blocks from the Norfolk Southern line and we are watching the progress on the station at Cambria,” said Susan Cease, adding, “he (John) wanted to be in Christiansburg close enough to hear the trains. I think the J is an iconic mechanical masterpiece, and I can’t wait for AMTRAK to come here. I want to be on the first train.”
The 611, built in Roanoke in 1950, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The locomotive made daily trips through Christiansburg for nine years, pulling famed trains like the “Powhatan Arrow,” the “Pocahontas,” and the “Cavalier” between Norfolk and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Both the locomotive and the classic video are part of the nearby Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, a treasure-trove of rail, air and highway travel exhibits in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. The J, along with the retired massive N & W steam locomotive No. 1218, are the classic exhibits at the museum.
Sandy Reed, daughter of a former N&W worker, said, “My dad, Jim Reed, is now 90 years old and was an electrician on the railroad from 1955—60 and he worked with this locomotive. He is so happy to see it running again.”
Along with Rosenberry were Ken Miller and Doug Andre of the NWHS. Miller, co-author of the book “Six Eleven: Three times a Lady,” helped coordinate the event and answer questions.
“I am impressed with the attendance here (library) on a day when Virginia Tech has a home game,” said Miller, “and with the intelligent questions and comments by the audience members.”
In addition to the entertaining audio-visual display, Rosenberg told the audience how important financial support will be to ensure that the 611 can keep running and be ready for the required government inspection in 2030. He said the enthusiastic riders on the recent excursions were a big plus and noted that financial contributions in all amounts from steam railroad fans will be crucial to maintaining the dazzling locomotive.
