Dynamic Duo
It’s fascinating to the differences in design between these two Norfolk and Western engines that were built forty-three years apart. ..Number 611, a Class-J locomotive, was built at Norfolk and Western’s Roanoke Shops in May 1950. She was one of fourteen J-class engines built by N&W and is known as the “Queen of Steam”. It was considered one of the finest steam engines ever built. ..The engine could generate more than 5,100 horsepower and move at speeds up to 110 mph, and it is believed she could have reached 140mph. She was built near the end of the steam era and retired from service in 1959. No. 611 is part of the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke Virginia...Number 475 (as 382) was the 101st of 125 M class steam locomotives built for the Norfolk & Western from 1906 to 1907, rolling out of Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906. It retired from active service in 1956 after completing 50 years of service. Number 475 is based out of the Strasburg Railway in Pennsylvania..