I honestly don't expect to see either in steam again (ever), but then again I have a tendency to be a pessimist. But, from what I've read the 1218 would require as much work as it did when it was overhauled from 1985-1987 if not more whereas 611 would just have to be upgraded to FRA's new standards. I found it strange how NS was willing to take better care of the 611 than the 1218, but then again since they didn't own the 611 they had good reason to treat it with care instead of just throwing it back together sloppily like the 1218 and scrapping it's innards to make sure it would never operate again.

If I recall correctly, 1218 was down for repairs when the plug was pulled.

I think she was cosmetically restored. As I recall, the flues were out and she was being reflued. The flue installation was never completed.

20+ years ago is hard to recall correctly.

Doug vV

You're mistaken. 611 was removed for evaluation for restoration on October 16, 1981. The NS merger process started in 1980 and wasn't finalized (thanks to that ICC we no longer have) until June 1, 1982. 611 was, in effect, part and parcel of the merger PR wnd wasn't steamed until August 1982.

With all that being said, how much is this guy Rick (suit at NS) like Claytor was? Does this guy have more of a soft spot in his heart for steam resurrection as opposed to the previous administration? Only he knows and the people close to him for sure but is there ANY validity to these rumors? It has been going around the mill for quite a while now and is picking up steam...pardon the pun.

Personal advice: The higher you set your expectations, the harder the eventual fall.

If a revival of steam is coming, it's going to happen in spite of us, not because of us. It would be nice, but i have serious trouble envisioning: 1) a railroad spending serious dollars to create a significant risk factor at a time when thousands of freight cars and locomotives are in storage and employees are on furlough, and 2) promoting 21st-century railroading with 19th-century technology (seriously, folks will complain that the excursion train doesn't have wi-fi.........).

He is Wick Moorman, not "Rick".

By carrying the hope for, and expressing the desire to see, steam operations, you remind NS that they once had a popular program that was appreciated and will be appreciated once again. Always keep your expectations high and speak up for your cause. Be silent and you will be left unnoticed.
I definitely expect to see 611 run again, I'd love to see 1218 run too, but I am less hopeful about that.

Hi,

I think there is more of a chance to see ACE 3000, ACE 3000-8, ACE 6000, ACE 6000c, or the ACE 6000g happen.

If you do not recognize the references, visit the ultimate steam page before saying there are no such things.

Doug vV

Personal advice: The higher you set your expectations, the harder the eventual fall.

I don't believe that. I believe that the higher you set your expectations or goals for that matter, the better the result. If you settle for middle of the road or just enough to get by, the less you get and the less satisfied you are.

An NS revival of 611 IS a possible thing as Mr. Glueck said...keep your expectations high and speak your mind. Being vocal about it makes them aware and would hopefully push things in the right direction. Saying nothing means doing nothing.
Oh, Sorry for the misspelling of Mr. Moorman's name. Thanks for the correction too.

A couple things:

I don't expect to see either 611 or 1218 run again on NS or anywhere else, nor do I expect to see a NS Steam program rebirth - but I'd be thrilled to be disappointed by having my expectations unfulfilled.

Extent of work differences between 611 ands 1218 represent a tiny and marginal cost compared to other costs involved in starting a new program, and wouldn't make any difference, even if such a program would come to exist.

Railroad management at top levels no longer grow up from the ranks of railroaders, but come from the financial industry and MBA programs. Given the lesser devotion to the career history and culture relative to the compensation by a lot of the rank and file today, this could be a good thing or a bad thing - good if the romantic history appeals to the MBA more than a marginal difference in bottom line, bad if nothing has more appeal than the bottom line at all, and they would be just as happy making more money developing real estate in Florida swampland.

So, do they love railroading and its colorful history or do they love the dollars moving tons of freight efficiently can provide - or is there room in any of their perceptions for both?

dave

Maybe the NRM in Green Bay will lease the 611 to get their new steam program started while they're waiting to get 261 back...




(Tongue planted firmly in cheek, as if it wasn't blatantly obvious!)

"Maybe the NRM in Green Bay will lease the 611 to get their new steam program started while they're waiting to get 261 back..."

doubtful, but not impossible...

I doubt that anyone will ever approach NRM about leasing a locomotive again.