Norfolk and Western 611 at Summer of Steam! - Staunton, Virginia - June 19-20, 2026

Hey folks! Today's video is all about the steam locomotive Norfolk and Western 611, and the Summer of Steam excursion train in Staunton, Virginia, hosted by the Buckingham Branch Railroad. This tourist passenger train ran for two weekends out of Staunton up to Afton Mountain, offering an awesome look at the landscape of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This video showcases the train traveling past several places along the 18-mile route, including the Blue Ridge Tunnel. The trip is part of the Virginia Scenic Railway program of the Buckingham Branch Railroad. The J-class steam engine no. 611 is a (relatively) modern, 1950 locomotive, with streamlining and a 4-8-4 wheel arrangement. The engine has seen several periods of excursion service over the years, and lately the engine has been powering many excursion trips in her home state of Virginia. What's more, for this season of trips in 2026, the engine has a vinyl wrap with a special design for the USA's Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), courtesy of the 3rd Rail model train company! I hope you enjoy this one, and make sure to leave a like if you do! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:25 Passenger train backing into Staunton 1:48 Why 611 is special to me 2:21 Train stopping in Staunton to load 2:47 Explanation of the excursion trip 3:45 Train departs Staunton EB, crosses Greenville Avenue 4:12 Jones Street 5:15 Jericho Road 6:47 Old Goose Creek Road 7:21 Entering Waynesboro 7:30 South River Bridge 8:42 North Winchester Avenue (Sunset Park) 9:39 Bridge over 3-Notched Mtn. Highway (with C&O logo) 10:19 Blue Ridge Tunnel history 11:09 Train exiting Blue Ridge Tunnel EB 12:13 Arriving at Afton Depot 13:06 Departing Afton Depot, WB 13:46 Train enters Blue Ridge Tunnel WB 14:39 South River Bridge WB 15:29 Port Republic Road 15:53 Arriving at Staunton 16:57 Outro