N&W 611 Restoration Thread

whodom · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:31 pm

southern154 wrote:

First congratulations to the Fire up 611 crew now, quick question here: What running gear work does 611 need as of this point? Obviously the new pony truck, but are the drivers going to be dropped and re-tired or turned?

The tires look pretty pristine in the photos they've posted, so I'm guessing no significant work is required on the running gear.

IC382 · **Joined:** Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:28 am **Posts:** 135

611 received wheel work in September 1994...just a few months before the death march. They should turn just fine.

p51 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:09 pm

I remember a pal of mine who had his ear to the ground in regard to the NS program, when told they were pulling the plug, wondered why they didn't make the call before they sent 611 in for 'a lot of work.'
So that makes me wonder, what all had been done to 611 that spring before NS called it quits?

p51 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:38 pm

Jeff Lisowski wrote:

She left Irondale, AL on Tuesday May 3, 1994 to Atlanta, GA. So, that was a significant amount of time for repairs.

Yeah, I knew how long 611 had been there, but no idea what'd been done during that timeframe.

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:57 pm

I had the pleasure of just spending several days volunteering on the 611 in Spencer.

Pleased to report that the work is progressing nicely under the full time leadership of Scott Lindsay with able assistance from Gary Bensman,Tom Mayer,Bob Yuell and other pros.

She just passed her hyrdo ( 375 psi) with flying colors and in the next several weeks will get her static steam test.

If you can please go to www.fireup611.org and lend your support.

Sure will be nice to see her back in operation this summer.

Special thanks to Mr. Wick Moorman and his NS team for the pride they take in celebrating the important story of steam's contribution to the growth of the nation !!

Ross Rowland

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 320

The Day has Arrived! 611 is under steam in Spencer! A picture just came across twitter!

Emmo213 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:12 am

Twitter is blocked at my work - can you repost it here please?

Edit: Thanks, I was able to get it but since it's also posted below I removed mine from here.

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 320

20 years, and almost 4 months to the day, N&W 611 once again has fire on her grates.

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

let us know how she does...8-D

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:26 am

It's amazing the tempest and excitement one can instigate by disposing of the oily rags to eliminate the combustion hazard.

Emmo213 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:42 am

It's a steam test, not just the burning of rags.

Credit to Cheri George from Facebook.

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:48 am

Jeff Lisowski wrote:

p51 wrote:

So that makes me wonder, what all had been done to 611 that spring before NS called it quits?

611 last operated during the 1993 season, Monday November 8th from Atlanta, GA to Irondale, AL.

She left Irondale, AL on Tuesday May 3, 1994 to Atlanta, GA. So, that was a significant amount of time for repairs.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:58 am

Emmo213 wrote:

It's a steam test, not just the burning of rags.

Emmo213 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:09 am

Fair enough. Sometimes on the internet sarcasm and snarky comments (not necessarily from you) are difficult to differentiate. That's what I get from spending time over at TO.

Either way, things are looking good for 611.

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:39 pm

Jeff Lisowski wrote:

Some of the comments on FB are laughable.

Quote:

"What, no video?"

All of us I'm sure remember having to wait months for an image in Trains or Railfan & Railroad.

If an event happened at just the right point in the publishing cycle, and you were able to to get 24 hour turnaround at the lab and express mail the slide to Milwaukee or Newton with a heads-up that it was coming, it might have made the news photos section in the issue two months after the event...

Kind of spoiled now, aren't we?