Deep into my first "real" long-distance train chase, I was trying to find my way around rural Virginia, in a totally unfamiliar area- and I was going at it alone. Although I probably could have stuck to highway 29, I wanted to avoid the chase traffic as much as possible, so winding back roads of Virginia it was. I arrived at the station in Chatham, VA, beautifully restored and looking absolutely great. Much to my dismay, there were cars taking up almost every inch of available ground. What wasn't taken up be chase vehicles was occupied by at least 100 or so spectators and railfans alike who had come out watch the "mighty J" storm up the hill by the Chatham station. Luckily, I managed to find an area on the south end of the station behind a group of parked cars along the fence, a location no one had seemed to have discovered as of yet. I immediately set up my tripod and made sure my camera was in all of the right settings, and checked...and double checked...and checked again. Before we could even see the smoke and headlight come around the corner, we could hear 611 beginning her assault on the grade, thundering her distinguished roar, once again echoing in the hills of Virginia after two decades of silence. Everyone involved with the restoration of the grand 611 deserves the upmost gratitude for what they did to bring this magnificent locomotive back to life. We all, of course, owe Norfolk Southern a huge thank you for allowing this locomotive to ply their rails once more.
