The Blue Ridge Special storms The Loops on it's Asheville bound journey with the one and only Queen of Steam, N&W J Class 611 as it takes front and center.

She's back folks! This legendary locomotive along with NS's Southern Heritage unit GE ES44AC #8099, and NCTM's SOU EMD FP7 #6133, is heading south to Spencer, NC on it's first excursion in 2016 ca... (more)

"Thunder On The Mountain"

N&W 611 heads over the Catawba Bridge after a brief stop to fix up their radio, and check a "hotbox". The "hotbox" was just from the steam engine, which causes excess heat die... (more)

611 charges through Glen Alpine, North Carolina with the Blue Ridge Special as it continues stepping westward to Asheville and into the namesake mountain range.

611 takes front and center on the morning of April 10, 2016 with the Blue Ridge Special as it makes the first moves towards Asheville after hitting the mainline.

The Spencer to Lynchburg "Virginian" begins it's journey as it crosses the calm waters of the Yadkin river on a beautiful April morning.

The Spencer to Lynchburg "Virginian" accelerates past the classic Southern Railway signals at "Dundee" after a brief stop in Danville.

N&W 611 accelerates across the Catawba River Bridge to make up lost time due to unexpected stops.

N&W 611 works furiously to pull her twenty three car train, the Blue Ridge Special, up the grade at the famous Old Fort "Loops", as she breaks the peaceful silence throughout the Pisgah Nat... (more)

The N&W 611 rounds the S-Curves in Jamestown. I was fortunate to capture good lighting 10 seconds before this photo was taken.

Norfolk and Western J-Class no. 611 is seen making way down grade at the loops near Old Fort, NC.

N&W #611 (NS train 957) passing the city of Catawba at M.P. S38 on its way to Asheville NC.

NS 957 The Blue Ridge Special starts up the hill and to the loops at Dendron. And I got to say I was very happy with this spot because you could hear him working. And that was a cool thing to see.... (more)

J Class NÂș 611, built in May 1950 by the N&W Railway's Roanoke Shops, 611 was one of three in the last group of J's built. The total number of J's listed 14 units beginning from 1941, the J's eas... (more)