Operating as NC symbol 957, Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 #611 begins its trip home from Spencer, North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia. The train is seen racing through Ruffin, NC.

Operating as NC symbol 957, Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 #611 begins its trip home from Spencer, North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia. The train is seen racing through Ruffin, NC.

Operating as NC symbol 957, Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 #611 begins its trip home from Spencer, North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia. The train is seen ducking under the signal at CP Lee just n... (more)

N&W J class #611 slowly crosses the Catawba River in Catawba, NC on its way to Asheville, NC.

N&W J class #611 slowly crosses the Catawba River in Catawba, NC on its way to Asheville, NC.

I thought for sure that when I took this photo early on the morning of December 7, 1994 the this would be the last sunrise 611 would see with a fire in her belly. I still hope I was wrong. http://... (more)

Now this is a "Steam Special"

N&W 611 waits patiently for one of its last assignments.

Such a beautiful profile!

611 doing what she did best. Putting on a good show for a crowd of happy fans at a photo run by, and looking good doing.

611 wakes up early this morning for her last run back home to Roanoke, VA.

611's last trip up Saluda Mountain.

On one of her last public excursions with black flags flying and a dozen black rozes tied under her headlight it is a sad but beautiful sight.

On one of her last public excursions with black flags flying and a dozen black rozes tied under her headlight it is a sad but beautiful sight. Seen speeding through Buena Vista, NC just east of As... (more)

This is the last photo that I ever shot of 611. She was on the last leg of her last run to Roanoke, VA to be put to rest. It was a sad day, I remember chasing her on her way to Birmingham, AL in 1... (more)