Fox Valley Models HO Scale N&W Class J 4-8-4, Norfolk & Western/Spirit of Roanoke/Post 2015

Norfolk & Western 611 was one of fourteen J-Class passenger locomotives built by the railroad’s shops between 1941 and 1950. The 611 is the only surviving example of the J-Class. An excursion star in the 1980s and early 90s, the 611 was used in her second life as a public relations tool for the Norfolk Southern Railway. In 2015, she was restored a second time to operate in the NS “21st Century Steam Program” alongside Nickel Plate Road 765, Southern 4501, and 630.

Born in Roanoke's East End Shops, the Queen of Steam was brought to life on May 29, 1950. At $251,344 - the 611 would prove to be a worthy investment as it was designed to pull N&W’s famous named trains like the Powhatan Arrow, the Cavalier, and the Pocahontas. Equipped with roller bearings on the drivers and the tender axles, the locomotives operated more efficiently and could accelerate faster.

The 611 and her sisters were one of the most praised locomotive classes in the industry, with Trains Magazine Editor David P. Morgan asking in the November 1954 Issue: “...what other locomotive with a 70-inch wheel has so easily been pushed past the three-figure mark on the speedometer?" Indeed, the J Class often exceeded 100MPH and were even tested by the Pennsylvania Railroad on the Broadway Limited as they were seeking new power for its famous train. Ultimately, they chose to use their in-house T1 design instead.

With simple, symmetrical boiler lines, a bullet nose, and a Tuscan red stripe that extended the length of the locomotive, the J-Class was recognized as one of the most beautiful streamlined steam locomotives ever designed. Not only that, according to FireUp! 611, the Js were the most powerful 4-8-4 steam locomotives ever built, operating at 300 psi with a tractive effort of 80,000 lbs. Many Js operated upwards of 15,000 miles per month and several logged over three million miles by the time they were retired in 1959.

More than two hundred moving parts were lubricated by an automated mechanical system, cutting down service time at station stops and division points. The J-Class were truly the last great steam locomotives ever constructed - and were the pinnacle of steam technology.

Only six years into her career, disaster struck. On January 23, 1956, the 611 was pulling the Pocahontas, when the engineer took a sharp curve too fast. The locomotive and five cars derailed, with the 611 being overturned. She nearly slid into the Tug River, escaping what could have very well been her demise.

Deciding to rebuild the 611, the ever-resourceful Norfolk & Western returned the engine to service later that year. This meant the locomotive had a completely rebuilt boiler, placing her in much better condition than her other sisters. Without the disaster along the Tug River, the 611 very well could have been scrapped without question.

Due to rising operating costs, the N&W decided to switch to diesel locomotives in 1957. Because of its overall good condition in comparison to her sisters, No. 611 was selected to pull the company’s “farewell to steam” excursions in October 1959. Once 611’s duties were officially over, her fate was uncertain. 

Several people, including famed N&W photographer O. Winston Link and Roanoke natives Graham and Robert Claytor, reached out to Company President Stuart Saunders to save 611 from the scrapper’s torch. Saunders agreed to keep 611 as a reserve steam generator at the East End Shops until the flues in her boiler ran out. She was then donated to the new Roanoke Transportation Museum (later the Virginia Museum of Transportation) for static display. She sat outside in the elements waiting for the chance to steam again.

That chance came in late 1981 when soon-to-be Norfolk Southern Railway Company President Robert Claytor sent the 611 to the Southern Railway's Norris Steam Shop in Birmingham, Alabama for its first restoration. The locomotive would go on to become the star of the Norfolk Southern steam program in the 1980s, pulling excursions alongside N&W A Class 1218 throughout the eastern United States, including on the world-famous Saluda Grade in North Carolina.

In 1994, Norfolk Southern ended their world-renowned steam program as a public relations tool. All locomotives that partook in the original program were returned to their original owners, including Southern 4501, 630, 722, and C&O 2716. The two Norfolk & Western locomotives, the 611 and the 1218, were returned to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, with an uncertain future ahead of them.

Fast forward to 2015, the 611 returned to the mainline once again as a participant of Norfolk Southern’s new program, branded under the name “21st Century Steam.” The program consisted of employee and public excursions using historic rail cars provided by NS and private car owners. Thanks to the renewed interest in using steam as a public relations tool, 611 traveled all over the NS system in 2015, 16, and 17. Due to a change in corporate management at Norfolk Southern, the most recent steam program was discontinued.

Since the end of the 21st Century Steam era, locomotive 611 has operated in excursion service on a limited basis and has served as a traveling exhibit at hosting railroads and museums. Notably, it has steamed up at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer and operated on the Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania. In 2023, the locomotive operated a series of fall excursions on the Virginia-based Buckingham Branch Railroad, a shortline operating former C&O rails.

Regarded as an emblem of Roanoke's rich railroad history, the No. 611 locomotive holds prestigious titles. It was recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1984. Further, in 2017, it was designated as the official state steam locomotive of Virginia by the Virginia General Assembly. Adding to its accolades, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) included it in the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2023. Most recently, in 2024, it earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.