The 611 is coming back to Goshen.
The Virginia Scenic Railway announced last week that a joint venture between the Virginia Scenic Railway, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Steam Railroading Institute, and the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society will bring the famed Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam locomotive back into service for a limited series of passenger excursions this fall, based once again in Goshen.
“We’re happy as can be that it’s coming back,” Goshen Mayor Tom McCraw told The News-Gazette. “It’s gonna bring a lot to Goshen and the surrounding area. We’re all looking forward to it.”
Starting on Sept. 26, the Virginia Scenic Railway will operate the steam-led passenger excursion as the Shenandoah Valley Limited for five consecutive weekends. The excursions will once again run from Goshen to Staunton and back. Tickets are expected to be available for purchase later this summer through the Virginia Scenic Railway’s website.
The 611 excursions first came to Goshen in the fall of 2023 as a joint venture of the Virginia Scenic Railway and the Virginia Museum of Transportation, which owns and operates the 611. The effort was spearheaded by Will Harris of Rockbridge County, then the president of VMT.
Harris supervised the creation of Victoria Station on land he owns just south of Goshen, which included a new siding and a huge gravel parking lot. Large tents were set up for the “station” where tickets and souvenirs were sold. Harris, his family and other volunteers also refurbished some of the historic passenger cars used for the excursions.
The passenger coaches that will be used in this fall’s excursions will be provided by both the Virginia Scenic Railway and the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan. Besides the fleet of passenger coaches and dining cars it is bringing to Virginia this fall, the institute also owns and operates Pere Marquette 1225, the locomotive animated in “The Polar Express” movie.
Harris and his family remain involved through the nonprofit Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society in Goshen, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the commonwealth’s mechanical and steam history. They will not only be providing the site for the excursions but they will also organize food and other vendors.
“We are excited to partner with new and old friends to bring back the thrill of mainline steam excursions through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The return of the N&W 611 is sure to bring joy to all who see and ride it,” said Steve Powell, president of the Buckingham Branch Railroad, which operates the Virginia Scenic Railway.
While the announcement of the excursions was just made last week, preparations were already well underway to get the 611 ready for the new excursions.
“Over the past month, the team at the Virginia Museum of Transportation has been working around the clock to prepare the iconic Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam locomotive for its return to mainline excursion service,” said Zac McGinnis, steam operations manager for the Virginia Museum of Transportation. “This includes routine inspections and maintenance to ensure the engine is in top running condition.”
He said that in addition to the museum staff, there are three full-time people, three-five professional contractors and around 30 active volunteers working on the engine this summer. Those volunteers include a Virginia Military Institute cadet and his brother, who will be matriculating at the school this fall. (See separate story.)
“Everyone at the museum and on the locomotive crew is incredibly excited for the opportunity to share the 611 with the public - under steam and doing exactly what she was built to do,” he continued.
In addition to restoration efforts, VMT recently hosted a 75th anniversary celebration for the 611, drawing in visitors from across the region. The museum is now offering behind-thescenes tours of the locomotive on weekends, giving fans a rare look at the inner workings of this “engineering marvel,” said McGinnis.
“To support ongoing operations, we’ve also launched several fundraising initiatives, including the sale of retired, out-of-service components from the 611 - giving supporters a chance to own a small piece of railroading history,” he said.
The Virginia Scenic Railway began service in 2022 and offers the state’s only regularly scheduled sightseeing excursion service. VSR is owned and operated by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, the largest short-line railroad in Virginia with four divisions and 280 miles of track.
Officials with the VSR say specific details about the schedule, price and ticket release dates for the 611 excursions will be announced at a later date.
For more information about the 611 excursions, those interested are encouraged to subscribe to the e-newsletter on the Virginia Scenic Railway website to be among the first to know when tickets become available. The website is VirginiaScenicRailway. com.
