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Lovers of classic steam locomotives are urged to “save the date” for a free event titled “Chasing the 611.”
Hosted by the Historic Lexington Foundation, the presentation is coming to the Manly Memorial Baptist Church on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.
The 611 is a Class J steam locomotive built for Norfolk & Western at the East End shops in Roanoke and was in service from 1950 to 1959. The streamlined, almost futuristic, locomotive powered rapid passenger rail service in the days before the automobile dominated our landscape.
Now the official steam locomotive of the commonwealth, the restored locomotive, is still in service. Last fall passengers filled 11 cars on a series of scenic excursions from Goshen to Staunton.
News-Gazette editor Darryl Woodson and his photographer spouse Mary “chased” the 611 to capture photos and videos of the powerful locomotive in action in Rockbridge and Augusta counties last year, as well as in Strasburg, Pa., two years before. They will share some of those images at the presentation, while Rockbridge County resident Will Harris, past president of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, will discuss all of the work involved in bringing the excursions to Goshen and in running the excursions.
This program is an encore of the one the three presented at the Glasgow Public Library last spring.
Next week’s program will be held in the sanctuary of Manly Memorial Baptist Church, which is located at 202 S. Main Street in Lexington.
