Originally released following #611's trips out of Roanoke, Virginia, in 2016, we have remastered and expanded this title following similar trips in 2017.
Track Listing Track 1 - We are in downtown Roanoke as #611 leads her train out of the yard. The locomotive chuffs lightly as she approaches an overpass, and then the engineer closes the throttle. After a few moments, a clear signal comes into view and the big 4-8-4 barks past as she approaches the station to board passengers for the morning run to Lynchburg.
Track 2 - Moments into her run to Lynchburg, #611 passes the East End Shops where she was built in 1950. After blowing for a crossing the engine passes, working lightly and drive rods clanking.
Track 3 - Eastbound out of Roanoke, the N&W mainline tackles Blue Ridge Grade. From Bonsack to the top of the grade at Blue Ridge, the ascending grade is between 0.95% and 1.3%. Our location is about a mile from the summit of the grade, as #611 approaches with her train of 20 cars plus her auxiliary water cistern. Her whistle sounds for crossings in the distance as she works the grade, before passing in a cut below our microphone.
Track 4 - Returning to Roanoke, the N&W mainline rises upgrade to Blue Ridge from Montvale. We are just west of the town of Montvale, as #611 and train are just into the 1.2% heart of the grade. After the train passes the sound of the big 4-8-4’s labored exhaust drifts back down the grade, and the baritone whistle is heard as she approaches a crossing near Villamont.
Track 5 - Working her 20 car train up the westbound grade to Blue Ridge, #611 barks up the grade at Villamont. She first whistles for a private crossing and then for Villamont Road before working past our microphone. As the rear of the train passes, #611’s whistle is heard as she blows for another private crossing as she nears the top of the grade.
Track 6 - Shawsville, Virginia, is in the heart of the westbound climb up Allegheny Mountain. From a farm road above the town, we hear #611 as she works her way up the 1.32% of Christiansburg Grade.
Track 7 - Just west of Shawsville, the climb up the Christiansburg Grade is 1.32% percent. #611’s exhaust echoes off the mountains to the right before she approaches from the left. She whistles for Basham Hollow Road before passing our microphones in full cry, whistling for Ryan Road.
Track 8 - After turning on the wye at Walton, #611 is on the return to Roanoke as she whistles for Chrisman Mill Road and passes through a cut at our location. The grade is 1% as she climbs the eastbound grade toward Christiansburg.
Track 9 - On the edge of Christiansburg, #611 is heard whistling for Chrisman Mill Road as she climbs the eastbound grade. The wind has picked up, rustling through the trees and helping carry the sound of the exhaust as she climbs the grade toward our location. Just before passing our location, the engineer eases off the throttle and the train slows for town as it passes.
Track 10 - Near Glenvar, the waters of the Roanoke River flow over a shallow rapid as #611 and train whistle across the bridge over the river, running downgrade toward Salem.
Track 11 - Back in Roanoke, we hold our microphone directly over the stack as #611 backs her train from the old N&W station to the yard at the end of her weekend’s trips.
Track 12 - Making time up the mountain, #611 works into the Blue Ridge grade at Major Wade Road east of Webster, Virginia.
Track 13 - Returning to Roanoke, #611 passes under a highway overpass at Forest, Virginia.
Track 14 - Easing through a slow order, the train eases past near Wabun, Virginia.
Track 15 - Approaching the old coal tower near the turning point of Walton, #611 rolls past at Vicker.
Track 16 - Returning to Roanoke, #611 and train lopes past near Elliston.
Track 17 - It’s morning excursion to Lynchburg underway, a crowd of railfans is standing by at Bonsack. They’re not talking as the train approaches, but they are ready for the chase to begin.
Track 18 - Working Christiansburg Grade, #611 is wide open as she passes through Shawsville.
Track 19 - Descending Christiansburg Grade, #611 is working steam against the trains brakes as she approaches Shawsville.
Recorded by Mary R. McPherson (2016, tracks 1-11) and Kurt Jensen (2017, tracks 12-19)