N&W 611 / Lynchburg-Petersburg 2017

Departing Lynchburg, VA on May 6, 2017, the N&W Class J 611 steam locomotive builds up speed as it crosses Possum Creek.

611 Crossing Possum Creek Trestle. Departing Lynchburg, VA on May 6, 2017, the N&W Class J 611 steam locomotive builds up speed as it crosses Possum Creek.

One of the last remaining sets of Norfolk & Western Color Position Light (CPL) signals stands in Pamplin, VA. Behind them, the new Norfolk Southern signal bridge is ready to replace them.

Signals: Then and Now One of the last remaining sets of Norfolk & Western Color Position Light (CPL) signals stands in Pamplin, VA. Behind them, the new Norfolk Southern signal bridge is ready to replace them.

611 Steams through Green Bay, VA After a crew change, the N&W 611 resumes the run from Lynchburg to Petersburg on May 6, 2017.

Departing Crewe Yards After a crew change, the N&W 611 resumes the run from Lynchburg to Petersburg on May 6, 2017. N&W 611 cruises between a pair of concrete pylons which formerly held a Seaboard Air Line railroad trestle over the Appomattox River. Seen from the campus of Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

N&W 611 cruises between a pair of concrete pylons which formerly held a Seaboard Air Line railroad trestle over the Appomattox River. Seen from the campus of Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Fleet Street Arches N&W 611 cruises between a pair of concrete pylons which formerly held a Seaboard Air Line railroad trestle over the Appomattox River. Seen from the campus of Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Steam Locomotive Controls This view into the cab of 611 from trackside in Petersburg reveals the N&W logo, boiler pressure gauges, speedometer, and the polished chrome of the throttle control.

Steaming past Jack Clearing a speed restriction outside Petersburg, the 611 begins to pick up speed on its return trip west.

Departing Petersburg Leaving Petersburg Virginia and some rainy weather behind, the N&W 611 comes up to speed enroute to Lynchburg.

Flashback The 611 crosses a former Norfolk & Western stone bridge in Blackstone, VA. In Green Bay, VA, the N&W CPL signals are still standing, but the newer heads below indicate it won't be much longer until these beloved relics are gone as well.

In Green Bay, VA, the N&W CPL signals are still standing, but the newer heads below indicate it won't be much longer until these beloved relics are gone as well.

Old and New (Redux) In Green Bay, VA, the N&W CPL signals are still standing, but the newer heads below indicate it won't be much longer until these beloved relics are gone as well.

Sunset at Appomattox 611 draws a large crowd of spectators on the station platform at Appomattox, Virginia. N&W 611 rounds the corner at Salem Rd in Spout Spring, VA, picking up the light of the early morning sun.

Sunday Steam N&W 611 rounds the corner at Salem Rd in Spout Spring, VA, picking up the light of the early morning sun.

Rounding Pamplin 611 billows out a large cloud of smoke as she comes around the curve at Pamplin Station.

Under the Bridge A steel bridge spans the double track here, as well as the former Southern Railway tracks just to the south. N&W 611 lets out a big, black cloud of smoke as she approaches River Street Station.

Entering Petersburg in Style. N&W 611 lets out a big, black cloud of smoke as she approaches River Street Station.

Petersburg is (to my knowledge) the only location of all the excursion stops to allow spectators this close to the locomotive. After coming to a stop, numerous fans posed for pictures all around the engine and cars.

Fans turn out to greet the 611. Petersburg is (to my knowledge) the only location of all the excursion stops to allow spectators this close to the locomotive. After coming to a stop, numerous fans posed for pictures all around the engine and cars. CB&Q's California Zephyr observation car trails the 611 consist, a fitting mate for the streamlined locomotive.

Silver Solarium CB&Q's California Zephyr observation car trails the 611 consist, a fitting mate for the streamlined locomotive. Norfolk & Western's old-style whistle sign outside Addison, VA indicates for approaching trains when to signal for the crossing.

Bygone Era Norfolk & Western's old-style whistle sign outside Addison, VA indicates for approaching trains when to signal for the crossing.

Leaf Blower The power of 611's steam boiler blasts leaves & twigs off the overhanging boughs of trees in Blackstone, VA.

CPL Signals in Green Bay, VA Our final stop for Sunday, watching the N&W Class J 611 steam past one more set of CPL signals due to be replaced.