1940s Norfolk & Western Class J611 chugging through Virginia

While visiting Chapman-Beverley Mill yesterday, the ruins we often see off I-66 as we drive east to west and back, we had a huge surprise!

When we arrived there were guys standing in various strategic spots along the railroad track that ran behind the mill.

All of them had massive cameras with massive lenses, some with tripods.

HISTORIC TRAIN

Turns out, history was about to chug down the tracks: the Norfolk & Western Class J611 was on its way to Front Royal from Manassas.

According to the photographer, one of the reasons this was historic was because it would likely never happen again.

Apparently declared this would be its final run…ever?

All I could think of was a 1959 Doris Day and Jack Lemmon movie called, It Happened to Jane.

However here is the rest of its history for all the vintage lovers out there.

QUEEN OF STEAM

Between 1941 and 1950, fourteen of these beautiful trains were built.

Sadly, only one exists today, the train about to chug by us on what appeared to be its final venture on these historic tracks.

In its day, it pulled luxury cars while speeding down the rails.

Even on this day, the train was allowing passengers from Manassas to travel in style.

Rates for the excursion ranged up to $1000!

It’s a masterpiece. It’s the most efficient steam engine ever built. Some would argue it’s the best passenger engine ever built. – John Nutter said of the 611, Roanoke Times, Old 611 Begins Journey from Museum Piece to Running Locomotive, Tonia Moxley, May 24, 2014.

Capable of pulling up to 15 passenger cars at 110mph, they averaged 15,000 miles per month, with some obtaining nearly 3 million miles in their tenure…thus dubbed a “war horse” and “Queen of Steam.” – “Queen of Steam: When it Comes to Locomotives, the Class J611 Has Few Rivals”, Mark Wineka, April 7, 2016.

On that note…all of which I heard from the photographer…and with a tip from him to look for the Texas Special (especially since we were both Texans)…we heard the whistle in the distance!!!