The 110mph Steam Machine: Chasing Trains

Good morning folks! Welcome to Louisa, Virginia. Yesterday, after we said goodbye to Big Boy in Reading, we drove five hours south as there's another steam beast calling my name. And that's Norfolk & Weston 611. It's about 50 metres away, tucked behind a shell garage. I'm saving the initial exposure as it powers over this level crossing, so I've been waiting to see this Cyclops Art Deco beast since I was just a toddler. So another childhood bucket list item is being ticked off today. With the Roanoke-built beast roaring into the distance, we could sit and watch the raining cloud of soot as it fades away. But naturally, we're going to be chasing it. It's literally... it's everywhere! I couldn't believe the amount of soot coming out then. It was like we were underneath a volcano. I think of all days to wear a white linen shirt, today was probably not the best one. Just to remark, the amount of sun cream I've been putting on has transferred onto the leather of the steering wheel. Oh look, we're right next to it now! Oh wow! It's amazing to think this locomotive was built in 1950, but only was in service for nine years before it was retired. And yet, even though it had a short lifespan on the mainline, it's absolutely thriving and beating in this heritage capacity. 611 cruises on the now flat gradient, and with the road opening up, we're able to get ahead for the next location. Before it comes, a very rare opportunity to see this tamping equipment. We decided to initially park closer to the level crossing, but there are some enthusiasts up the line that were going, get out of the way! Because we were going to ruin their shot, because it was a nice composition there. So we thoughtfully moved the car, and then two cars parked where we were parking originally. These plumes of soot and steam are baked into Virginian heritage. This locomotive would have ran between Norfolk and Cincinnati at speeds well over 100 miles an hour. It's a time capsule, both figuratively, because of the era it conjures in the mind, and physically, as its bulbous end looks like a capsule, I suppose. And to capture it in the contrast of the present day, we're revisiting a petrol station, where we picked up some dinner items last night, because the hotel had stopped serving food by the time we had arrived. I like the idea of capturing an O. Winston Link-esque shot, where the locomotive is cutting through normality. I'm not sure if we've done O. Winston Link proud with that one, but nevertheless, we're off to the next location. Gordonsville now beckons. The turning point for 6.11's journey. Says we're in Historic District. Oh look, it's the well-hung vineyard. Sounds like a vineyard for me. Look at this! It's just unbelievable. That's the famous guy from TikTok! Hello. I gotta get a picture with you, sir. Finally, after reeling this slippery salmon in, I'm able to examine its delicate scales up close. Its singular eye stares with raised eyebrows and crinkled forehead skin. Its jaw juts out, rising to streamlining, that marries with the tender and swoops down to align with the auxiliary water tender. The smooth skin distracts from the brutal underpinnings. This J-class locomotive is the most powerful 484 arrangement locomotive in the world. By crude comparison of express passenger locomotives, 6.11 boasts 80,000 pounds of tractive effort, whilst the UK's A4 Pacific's mustered less than half that at 35,456. Amy is, uh... My souvenir set. A couple of days ago, it was 21.02. Now it's 6.11. We're getting a proper loco-souped plastering. My hair probably still has traces of fish oil. Whilst marvelling at 6.11, I've started chatting with a fellow enthusiast called Colby. It's so much more than just transport. Yeah, it is. 6.11, conversational intermission over. It's time to resume. I love it. I suppose I love industry. Do you love it? Oh yeah, I studied the history of transportation. That was my thing for college. Yeah, it's awesome. Colby has advised heading to Trevelyan station for the return journey. Thank you, thanks. So we've added that to our return journey itinerary. So this is Trevelyan's abandoned station. So this is an old station? So yeah, this is actually where the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War happened. Really? Right there. Battle of Trevelyan station. Really? Yes. Something like 1300 dead on the northern side, 600 on the southern. Yeah. Oh, there it is. Oh, yep. The return is being hauled by Buckingham Branch's GP38-2, number 16. Goosebumps. I know, right? Nothing beats the rumble. Doesn't it give you goosebumps? They're hearing that every time. Oh yeah. Doesn't get old. Makes the 45c heat index worth it. Yeah, I know. Dude. Thanks for doing it in centigrade. I appreciate that. I live in centigrade, so. Nice. Okay, well, maybe to Louisa now. Back to Louisa, it's worth finding somewhere for us to have lunch. That pie shop, that's one for you. You like pies? Another antique shop. Oh, it's closed. The antique shop would have been a good opportunity to balance the day with something Amy enjoys too. Thankfully, though, the desire to find a bargain at the antique shop is satisfied by the offer of a free cooling towel at the station. You can wipe some of the soot off. Those are $10 a piece. I don't know who put those signs up there, but those are $20. Well, I'd be happy to pay for it in this climate. No, I just enjoy your day. Stay cool. 6.11 will stand at the station for over an hour, which, relievingly, has afforded us some time on the high street. So 6.11 is about to undertake the second excursion of the day. Whilst it would be nice to chase it all the way again, we have a flight to catch this evening, so we'll just be seeing it at the immense first location that we caught it at this morning, but from the other side of the tracks. What a trip it's been. I'm so thankful to everyone who's ever watched one of my videos for enabling this for us and enabling us to create these videos. We've had an amazing time, and this will be our last snippet of American railways for this trip.