Arrival of N&W 611 at Strasburg Delayed

The arrival of Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 at the Strasburg Rail Road has been delayed by mechanical problems.

Consequently, all events involving the 611 that had been scheduled for the Pennsylvania-based tourist railroad the weekend of May 21-23 have been cancelled.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation, which owns the Class J locomotive, said an inspection found a malfunction with the locomotive’s stoker that prevented the stoker from moving coal into the firebox.

Workers are seeking to repair the problem, the museum said in a news release.

The museum also cited security and safety reasons for declining to announce the timing and route of the ferry move to the Strasburg.

Earlier, the Strasburg had announced that the 611 would participate in a series of events there through October.

Tags: 4-8-4 steam locomotives, N&W 611, N&W 611 excursions, steam locomotives, Strasburg Rail Road