Jared Steele

For the weekend of June 13th and 14th, 2015, Norfolk Southern hosted public excursions as part of its famed "21st Century Steam Program". Said trips traversed the NS Blue Ridge and Norfolk Districts, from Lynchburg to Petersburg, VA and return. In this video, which is one I am extremely honored to present for various reasons, we'll chase (and even pace) the famed Norfolk and Western J Class "Queen of Steam" 4-8-4 #611 through the rural farmland of Southern Virginia. I am proud to present this video for the fact that this locomotive has been on my "railfan bucket list" to see since I was a toddler when the 611 appeared in many of my VHS tapes. When I began photographing trains in 2008, I always thought that if I did ever see the 611, it would be on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke on static display. However, dreams really do come true, and in 2013 a campaign was launched to raise money to restore the beautiful piece of machinery to operating condition. I cannot begin to thank everyone involved in the comeback of the J, everyone from Norfolk Southern to the VMT, to the NCTM, to all of the people who donated their money to get the 611 running once again, because without every one of the above mentioned, this video would not be possible. And it is with this statement, that I proudly present this production of what might be the most exceptional trackside experience I've ever had the pleasure of participating in. With that being said, hats off to everyone involved in the campaign to 'Fire Up the 611'!
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