do you have to shovel coal into the n&w 611s firebox to keep the fire even plus what work would it take to get her operational again and about how much would it cost

I saw her today. She is equipped with a stoker.

Actually, you don't have to put any coal into her firebox to keep the fire even, as she doesn't run.

With regard to your second inquiry, just cross apply the answers to your previous inquiry about Burlington 5614 here, save for 611 is probably in somewhat better shape.

611 does require "manual fuel injection" until she has enough pressure to operate the stoker. After that the shovel is used for dressing the fire. As for your other question, perhaps you should look back at the thread you started back in August:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30021&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=611

As for an exact answer on the cost, consider contacting Gary Bensman, Scott Lindsay, Bob Yuill, or any of the other well qualified steam locomotive professionals out there. They could probably narrow it down for you, for a price. There are other factors far more important than the cost in determining whether or not 611 will ever run again. There is absolutely no point in overhauling her if there is no place to run. She is much too big to shuttle back and forth on track one at VMT, the half-mile or so at 9th St., or even the 3 mile out of service branch line in south Roanoke. As for the "new" NS Steam Program, right now we are back at 1966. How things evolve over the next several years will determine whether there is a need or opportunity for a big 4-8-4 to return to service. At present, 611 is under cover, complete, and well cared for. All good things for a steam locomotive.

Gary
Cynically Optomistic, Va.

Hi, John:

Please don't take this the wrong way, as this is a wonderful dream you have. Your question is seeking an answer that must be determined through many hours of study and hard work. However, there are important prerequisites.

Start with ownership of a good number of coaches in excellent, roadworthy condition, a decent shop facility (this can be fairly basic), and a scenic place with a huge population base nearby to run the engine.

Add a million dollars before you even open up the engine to see exactly what its condition is. Of course, with 611 much of this is already known from her fairly recent operating history. Be prepared to raise many more dollars.

Then, surround yourself with good, capable people and don't be afraid to hire some of the excellent contractors in the business, several of whom frequent this board.

If this sounds like a huge effort, it is.

Above all, if a brute like 611 is definitely your dream, become involved with a group that regularly runs big mainline steam and has been successful for some time. There aren't many of those, but there are great ones to choose from.

Even groups regularly running smaller steam will help you build up real steam experience and build a pool of well qualified contacts.

And, of course, beware of making plans for a museum's engine without at least some basic discussions around their interest in the idea.

Best of luck in following your dreams, John. It will follow many interesting twists and turns, and you may discover that your dream is very different from what you envision today.

Steve Hunter
Cardinal, Ontario

The engine in theory needs about 600k to run...and a place to run...and a facility to maintain it.

Norfolk & Western 611 has an automatic coal stoker. Additional coal is hand shovel if needed.

Actually, it isn't automatic, it is manually controlled by the fireman.

dave

Thanks Dave, I wasn't certain on that. You think a steamer built in 1950 would have an auto stoker. Again, this was the N&W. They built their own locomotives the way they wanted too.

There is no such device as an automatic stoker for locomotives. There were some "automatic fireman" devices developed for oil burning tank engines. The N&W did select what is arguably the best design of stoker for their ASME landmark locomotive.