Norfolk & Western 611 - The Summer of Steam: Chase From Staunton To Gordonsville, VA (6-22-26)

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the video of my chase of N&W 611 on June 22nd, from Staunton to Gordonsville, VA. This excursion was the bridge between the Summer of Steam excursions the 611 would be running in the summer of 2026, painted in its temporary Stars and Stripes livery. This excursion would take 611's train to Gordonville, where it would lined up for its following excursions out of Louisa. Enjoy! (0:00): Intro. (1:10): The excursion started at the Amtrak Station in Staunton, VA, the childhood hometown of 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. After finally finding a place to park, I got to the pedestrian bridge just in time to catch them bringing the excursion in. BB GP38-2 #16 (ex-NS/SOU #5078) BB GP40 #5 (ex-CR/PC #3216) N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 (3:36): After bypassing the platform with the BB Geeps leading, 611 herself shines by pulling the train back into the station. PNLX SD35 #7436 (ex-WM) is also visible. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 (ex-CR/PC #3216) BB GP38-2 #16 (ex-NS/SOU #5078) (6:08): The next clips are going to feature the 611 idling at the station and breathing smoke into the atmosphere. The crowd here was pretty big, but nowhere near the size of the crowd chasing UP 4014 in Pennsylvania a week earlier. (16:18): After 9:30, the time the train was originally supposed to shove off, N&W 611 finally departs Staunton headed Eastbound. I heard they wait for a few windows to be cleaned before they could depart. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 (ex-CR/PC #3216) BB GP38-2 #16 (ex-NS/SOU #5078) (18:41): Only one word can describe that magnificent J Class. (18:48): As I had some time (or so I thought), I decided to drive by the Shenandoah Valley Railyard real quick. Founds lots of ancient diesels here, including an ALCO! PNC SW9 #191 (ex-SCPR/SCL/ACL 191) RPCX F7A #407 (ex-COE/CNW 407/CNW 4072A) RPCX F7A #9177 (ex-CN) DGVR GP9# 6512 (ex-B&O) DGVR RS11M #367 (ex-MECR/MC1/LNAC #367/WW/CV #3609/N&W #367) SVRR Caboose #3260 (ex-C&O) (19:56): It took a while to catch up to 611 due to Route 250's low speed limits and a bunch of stoplights, along with that 611's train was moving along. I got to Crozet hoping I had beat him, but instead was just in time to catch a Virginia Scenic Excursion WB as well as some MOW vehicles outside the old C&O Station Building. BB GP38-2 #5026 (ex-NS/SOU) (20:56): Outside Ivy, VA, we catch the 611's excursion thundering over the Farmington Drive crossing. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 (ex-CR/PC #3216) BB GP38-2 #16 (ex-NS/SOU #5078) (22:09): N&W 611 coasts by the Charlottesville Amtrak Station. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 BB GP38-2 #16 (24:35): Amtrak 151, makes its station stop in Charlottesville and swap crews. I didn't have time to stay for its departure, as I was still chasing 611. ALC-42 329 (25:59): Next location is Cobham, VA. I saw the train approaching as I passed over the railroad, but there was no space to pull over right away. I only had enough time to zoom in for a going away shot. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 BB GP38-2 #16 (26:53): We got to Lindsay in time to catch 611 stopping short of the crossing before continuing to Gordonsville. N&W 4-8-4 J Class #611 BB GP40 #5 BB GP38-2 #16 (30:49): Next we made it to Gordonsville, where our star attraction pauses for a little bit. Here, they're going to uncouple the coaches and follow each other into town. (42:19): First the BB Geeps reverse just in front of the Exchange Hotel/Civil War Museum to let the passengers off. My friend David Hawkins and his son were passengers on this train. We also walk up and down the consist. (46:19): And after that, the empty passenger train clears the single track for the J Class to back into. It will be displayed outside the Exchange Hotel for over an hour until around 3. The next clips feature the sole surviving J sitting alone. (51:54): Soon, the passenger consist returns to pick up the passengers. We'll continue to admire 611's beauty in the time being. (1:00:38): While the BB Geeps take the tourists back to Staunton, 611 will reverse down the BB line to Louisa to be lined up for its next series of excursions the following weekends. Of course, I was in the wrong spot, expecting 611 to advance forward instead of reversing. Some of us got lightly showered with water and soot! (1:03:24): On the way home, I did stop by the Virginia Scenic Station at Louisa in time to see the 611 parking on the siding. It's a beautiful station, I tell you h'what. (1:05:26): Outro. Forgot to mention that the postcard in the end was passed out to everyone by a volunteer back at Staunton. Music: Duane Eddy: Rebel Rouser Jerry Reed: Eastbound and Down Naruto: Hinata vs. Neji Clip/GIF sources: -Caddyshack -The Lego Movie -Regular Show -Spongebob -South Park Thanks for watching! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe!   / nicholas.clemens.7965     / thenwclassa1218   Discord: TheN&WClassA1218#2641