running many excursions, and even rode on a couple. A truly handsome, streamlined steamer.
Posted on 07/24/2025 11:58:24 AM PDT by Morgana
Roanoke’s iconic 611 steam engine will be back on the rails this fall for a series of five weekend excursion trips that will begin and end at Goshen in Rockbridge County.
The Virginia Scenic Railway announced Wednesday that a joint venture between the Virginia Scenic Railway, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Steam Railroading Institute and the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society will bring the locomotive back into service for the excursions.
The 611 locomotive, designed and built in Roanoke by the Norfolk & Western Railway, has been widely regarded as representing the height of steam locomotive construction. 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 1959. It’s the only one of its series that survives today. The 611 is owned and operated by the Virginia Museum of Transportation as a traveling exhibit. It is the official steam locomotive of the state of Virginia, a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Starting on Sept. 26, the Virginia Scenic Railway will operate the steam-led passenger excursion as the Shenandoah Valley Limited for five consecutive weekends. Tickets are expected to be available for purchase later this summer through Virginia Scenic Railway’s website. Specific details about the schedule, price and ticket release dates are not yet available.
Bet it goes faster than a Newscum ‘super’ train.
......Roanoke, Virginia....”The Star City of the South”....lived in Richmond but used to work for a company headquartered there...many trips out there for business meetings, etc....Christmases at the Hotel Roanoke....the star on Mill Mountain lighted at night....many fond memories....
It’s beartiful.
Look out surfers.
Thanks so much for this! My new home is right next door to Roanoke.
I’ve been to the Train / Transportation Museum here a number of times but have never ridden a train.
I wonder what members of my family would think this is a fun excursion.
Awesome machine…
The Class J’s were PURE class.
The pennsy K4 Pacifics were beautiful too.
Thank you for the railroad posts, Morgana
This is where tix will be sold, but keep it under your hat. Very limited availability once they go on sale.
https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/shenandoah-valley-limited/
Thanks for posting. They don’t make them like that anymore BUT I WISH THEY WOULD!!!
Gorgeous, that is one hell of a big firebox and boiler!
This family member is on board!
” has been widely regarded as representing the height of steam locomotive construction.”
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The Streamliner certainly looks great. But many would consider the U.P. articulated 4-8-8-4 Big Boys the epitome of steam - certainly in terms of weight and power.
Used to date a young lady in Salem, but it was long distance relationship (I lived in Hampton). Many years later I was making weekly round-trips to St Louis., and knew I was getting close to home when I could see the Mill Mountain Star from the air.
Be still my soul! I initially thought 611 of those babies were being put back on the tracks. I’d like that.
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