Learning about a rare opportunity to ride the impressive 1950 Norfolk and Western J611 steam engine train in the autumnal forests of the Shenandoah, my hubby said he’d take me for my birthday in early October!
In 2016, while touring Chapman Mill, I saw this train for the first time as it took passengers from Manassas to Front Royal, while my daughter shot a video.
Impressive!
Known as the Queen of Steam, the last of its J611 class was set to run for five weekends through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Although we wanted to stay as near the train station as possible the night before our early morning ride, most places in this countryside were booked due to the annual autumnal beckoning.
Now this train was calling tourist names too.
After checking out of our hotel room in Staunton, we drive 30 miles through autumnal foliage and misty skies to Goshen.
While a nor’easter battered the East Coast, mist, light rain, and cloudy skies escaped our way.
PHOTOGRAPHERS EVERYWHERE
As our train left the station, we soon saw photographers everywhere, lined up at every railroad crossing and other spots in between on the entire excursion with their cameras.
After they took their pictures, the photographers ran to their cars, hopped in, then drove to the next railroad crossing for more photos.
This reminded me of the day I first I first saw it while touring Chapman Mill in June 2016,
As I toured the ruins of the mill, I had no idea what treat was in store for me.
Instead, I noticed lots of photographs with cameras on tripods aimed at the train trucks that run behind the mill.
From them we learned a historic train, built in 1950, was en route.
After they told us the impressive credentials of this train, we aimed our own cameras at the tracks.
Now the tables were turned, as we left the station in Goshen, Virginia.
SCENIC VIEWS
From inside, we enjoyed watching the steam from the engine blow past the windows and listening to the horn as the lovely countryside passed.
About an hour and a half into the ride, the train stopped in preparation for the modern engines behind us to pull us back to Goshen.
PRESIDENT STEVE POWELL – VIRGINIA SCENIC RAILWAY
That’s when the President of the Buckingham Branch Railroad and the Virginia Scenic Railway, Steve Powell, strode in to talk to us about the uniqueness of this train ride. (See a video here where he talks in similar manner of the train rides in the Shenandoah.)
We are excited to partner with new and old friends to bring back the thrill of mainline steam excursions through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The return of the N&W 611 is sure to bring joy to all who see and ride it. –Virginia Scenic Railway, Steve Powell
The N&W 611 is a standalone superstar. With over 5,000 horsepower, the 611 sounds, feels, and looks like no other locomotive…With the combination of this steam engine, these passenger cars, the Shenandoah Valley mountain views in fall, and the mainline track speeds,this will be a trip that people will remember for years. –Travel and Leisure interview with Steve Powell, president of the Virginia Scenic Railway
ALL THE TRAIN CARS
After debarking, I headed to the engine to take pictures.
As expected, this train was super long, with lots of cars to carry all the people who wanted this ride.
This is the premium coach we rode in, on loan from the Steam Railroading Institute.
And this is the steam engine, powerful enough to pull all the cars (and I haven’t even shown all of them).
I need to sew a 1950s woolen suit for next time! 😉
At the other end was this Dome Class car, where people can sit at the top to enjoy panoramic views.
Although we tried to obtain this seating, the seats were sold out.
Well, that was an experience to remember!
