Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 611, is considered by many to be the finest preserved example of steam technology at its zenith. Built in 1950 by the N&W at their Roanoke Shops, the 611 was built as power for the railroad's flagship passenger trains, such as the Powhattan Arrow, and The Pocahontas. As diesels started to encroach on the American railroad landscape, the Js were relegated to freight service, and less glamorous passenger assignments. The 611 would find herself being retired in 1959, but instead of being cut up for scrap like the rest of her sisters, she was set aside for preservation in Roanoke.
In 1981, restoration began on the 611 at the Southern Railway Steam Shop in Irondale, AL, an effort spearheaded by N&W president Robert Claytor. By the summer of 1982, the engine was under steam once again, ready to take on a new role, as the main face of steam for the new Norfolk Southern Corporation. Over the next 12 years, 611 would haul numerous excursions all over the Norfolk Southern system. Including trips to Chicago, fast running along the former NKP, and stomping up the legendary Saluda Grade in North Carolina. The original Norfolk Southern Steam Program, dating back to the mid 1960s, ended in December of 1994, and 611 was once again retired to display in Roanoke.
Today, the 611 operates occasional excursions over short line and regional railroads, namely, the Buckingham Branch Railroad of Virginia, and their 'Virginia Scenic Railway'. Here, we see the 611 on the 2026 'Summer of Steam' excursion series. This video covers the entire route used for the Summer of Steam, Louisa, to Gordonsville, and beyond - Gordonsville to Afton Mountain and onwards to Staunton.
Celebrating America's 250th, the 611 wore a temporary red, white and blue wrap for the excursions. Based off the 1976 American Freedom Train concept art for 611's proposed use on the AFT, the current look is a callback to what almost was in the 70s, and the train that started it all for American independence celebrations with steam power.
Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 611, is considered by many to be the finest preserved example of steam technology at its zenith. Built in 1950 by the N&W at their Roanoke Shops, the 611 was built as power for the railroad's flagship passenger trains, such as the Powhattan Arrow, and The Pocahontas. As diesels started to encroach on the American railroad landscape, the Js were relegated to freight service, and less glamorous passenger assignments. The 611 would find herself being retired in 1959, but instead of being cut up for scrap like the rest of her sisters, she was set aside for preservation in Roanoke.
In 1981, restoration began on the 611 at the Southern Railway Steam Shop in Irondale, AL, an effort spearheaded by N&W president Robert Claytor. By the summer of 1982, the engine was under steam once again, ready to take on a new role, as the main face of steam for the new Norfolk Southern Corporation. Over the next 12 years, 611 would haul numerous excursions all over the Norfolk Southern system. Including trips to Chicago, fast running along the former NKP, and stomping up the legendary Saluda Grade in North Carolina. The original Norfolk Southern Steam Program, dating back to the mid 1960s, ended in December of 1994, and 611 was once again retired to display in Roanoke.
Today, the 611 operates occasional excursions over short line and regional railroads, namely, the Buckingham Branch Railroad of Virginia, and their 'Virginia Scenic Railway'. Here, we see the 611 on the 2026 'Summer of Steam' excursion series. This video covers the entire route used for the Summer of Steam, Louisa, to Gordonsville, and beyond - Gordonsville to Afton Mountain and onwards to Staunton.
Celebrating America's 250th, the 611 wore a temporary red, white and blue wrap for the excursions. Based off the 1976 American Freedom Train concept art for 611's proposed use on the AFT, the current look is a callback to what almost was in the 70s, and the train that started it all for American independence celebrations with steam power.
![[4K] Strasburg Rail Road 90: Starting a Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LK0QM3fgICg/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Strasburg Rail Road 90: Starting a Steam Train
In the heart of the Amish farmlands of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania lies the famed Strasburg Rail Road of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The Strasburg Rail Road, or SRC for short, has been a staple of the regions tourism since the 1960s. Since 1967 2-10-0 Baldwin Standard Decapod No. 90 has been a staple, too, of this iconic Road to Paradise. Their largest, youngest steam engine has wowed thousands of passengers each year on the 4.5 mile ride through the Amish farmlands from East Strasburg to Leaman Place Jct.
Built in 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive works of Philadelphia, PA, the 90 was originally owned by the Great Western Railway of Colorado where she hauled sugar beets. Operated until 1967, the 90 has been on the Strasburg Rail Road ever since. Now, nearly a century after being built, she still steams, hauling tourists and railfans alike for the SRC. It has become one of the most recognized and popular steam engines in the world. Theres no doubt that the number 90 is an icon of steam preservation and the SRC itself.
Wed like to give a huge thanks to the SRC, fireman Matthew Flanagan and the SRCs David Lotfi for working with us to coordinate this videos production. This video is the culmination of four months of planning and a month of filming. The Cherry Hill segments (East and West bound) alone were a full day of filming.
For more, please comment, like, and subscribe. Visit us online at https://www.dynamo-productions.com/
Strasburg Rail Road: https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/
0:00 Introduction runby
0:56 Lancaster County Countryside
1:37 East Strasburg Engine House
2:43 Hostling 90 in the engine house
7:50 Leaving the engine house
9:22 Loading Coal at the Coal Dock
9:49 Shaking the grates and building the fire
12:08 Blow down
12:29 Shakedown run
16:48 Coupling to train
17:48 Initial Terminal Brake Test
18:41 Departing East Strasburg Depot
19:57 Red Caboose Motel East Bound
20:51 Esbenshade East Bound
21:22 Cherry Hill East Bound
23:23 Black Horse Road Ghost Whistle East Bound
25:04 Runaround Leaman Place
25:25 Carpenters Graveyard West Bound
27:04 Cherry Hill West Bound Arrival
28:27 Cherry Hill West Bound Departure
29:41 Groundhog Cut West Bound
30:21 Esbenshade Road West Bound
31:12 Red Caboose Motel West Bound
32:13 East Strasburg Depot Arrival
33:30 Putting 90 to bed - East Strasburg Shops")
![[4K] The 1880 Train - Black Hills Central Steam](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LdkHr8oDJLA/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] The 1880 Train - Black Hills Central Steam
In the shadow of Mount Rushmore is the Black Hills Central Railroad, aka the 1880 Train. This tourist railroad operates an impressive collection and locomotive roster. Operating on former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rails between Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota, the twisting and steep route provides incredible scenery on a unique collection of equipment.
With sharp curves and grades of up to 6% both ways, the Black Hills Central Railroad demands serious power in the busy summer season. From the early days of operation all the way into the 2000s, the railroad would utilize 2-6-2 7 and 2-6-2T 104, but these engines were limited to four or five wooden coaches. With the ever increasing popularity of the operation, the railroad invested in more serious power with former Weyerhaeuser Timber 2-6-6-2T 110 debuting in 2001. The logging Mallet made quite an impression as it handled trains up to nine cars long unassisted.
With the success of 110, the BHC would acquire sister Mallet locomotive 108 from the Northwest Railway Museum of Snoqualmie, WA in 2016. The full restoration of 108 would be completed in October 2020, and the 2021 season would mark the first full summer season for the 108. This marks Black Hills Central as probably the only place one can see sister Mallets operating everyday in the summer, and the 108 put on quite the show.
0:00 Introduction
3:36 Departing Hill City
6:30 Tin Mill Hill
12:10 Oblivion
18:16 Keystone
20:26 Return trip")
![[4K] South Simcoe 136: 140 Year Old Steam Locomotive](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N2f26APoS1E/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] South Simcoe 136: 140 Year Old Steam Locomotive
South Simcoe 4-4-0 136 leads tourist trips out of Tottenham, Ontario on the 4.7-mile long South Simcoe Railway.
The 136 was built in 1883 for then-newly-formed Canadian Pacific Railway. The 4-4-0 has had a long and eventful history. From assisting in the construction of the first Canadian transcontinental route to starring in various movies and television productions, the 4-4-0s 140-year career is nothing short of impressive.
Follow us for more content at
https://www.facebook.com/DYProd
https://www.instagram.com/dynamo.productions.trains
https://www.dynamo-productions.com/")
