Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In June of 2026, Norfolk & Western 611 once again traveled to the Virginia Scenic Railway for a series of excursions. For two weeks, it operated short trips from Staunton to Afton and for another two weeks it operated from Louisa to Gordonsville. It also operated a single trip from Staunton to Gordonsville when being transferred to Louisa, and again from Louisa back to Staunton at the end of its excursion season.
This year, the 611 wore a vinyl wrap sponsored by Sunset Models 3rd Rail in connection with the United States of America's 250th anniversary celebrations. While most of the locomotive remained its classic glossy black, the tuscan and gold striping was replaced by red white and blue striping with stars along the boiler stripe. Compared to previous excursions that would reach up to 20 cars, this was quite short, running at a maximum of 7 cars with a pair of Buckingham Branch Geeps on the rear.
Filmed over the course of four days, this video captures the excursions out of Staunton to Afton and Gordonsville. In addition, Amtrak's Cardinal, operating between Chicago and New York, makes a couple of brief appearances, including a now rare P42 leading the eastbound train.
In June of 2026, Norfolk & Western 611 once again traveled to the Virginia Scenic Railway for a series of excursions. For two weeks, it operated short trips from Staunton to Afton and for another two weeks it operated from Louisa to Gordonsville. It also operated a single trip from Staunton to Gordonsville when being transferred to Louisa, and again from Louisa back to Staunton at the end of its excursion season.
This year, the 611 wore a vinyl wrap sponsored by Sunset Models 3rd Rail in connection with the United States of America's 250th anniversary celebrations. While most of the locomotive remained its classic glossy black, the tuscan and gold striping was replaced by red white and blue striping with stars along the boiler stripe. Compared to previous excursions that would reach up to 20 cars, this was quite short, running at a maximum of 7 cars with a pair of Buckingham Branch Geeps on the rear.
Filmed over the course of four days, this video captures the excursions out of Staunton to Afton and Gordonsville. In addition, Amtrak's Cardinal, operating between Chicago and New York, makes a couple of brief appearances, including a now rare P42 leading the eastbound train.
