By Railfan & Railroad Staff

STRASBURG, Pa. — Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 611 will spend much of the year at the Strasburg Rail Road, the Virginia Museum of Transportation announced this week. 

Locomotive 611 last visited Strasburg in 2019 for a series of excursions and photo charters that fall. This year, the locomotive will stay in Strasburg from May until October and operate on numerous excursions throughout the summer. The locomotive is presently at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C. 

“Since its restoration, the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) has sought opportunities for 611 to engage people from all walks of life,” said Brian Barton, VMT board member. “The partnership with the Strasburg Rail Road allows us to spark a fascination with steam locomotives and transportation, our history, steam technology, mechanical engineering, and design.”

Here’s a rundown of what N&W 611’s summer in Strasburg will look like…

N&W 611 will lead Strasburg’s regular excursions on the following dates: May 22 – 23; May 29 – 30; June 5 – 6; July 2 – 4; July 10 – 11: July 17 – 18: July 24 – 25; August 20 – 22; August 27 – 29; September 4 – 5; September 24 – 26; October 2 – 3.

In the cab experiences will be offered on June 4, July 9 and September 3.

“Fire up” experiences, where people can get an up close of how a main line locomotive is fired up, will be offered on July 1, August 19 and September 23. 

For more information and to buy tickets, visit Strasburg Rail Road’s website.