{"id":7094,"date":"2014-06-05T03:14:33","date_gmt":"2014-06-05T07:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=7094"},"modified":"2014-06-05T08:12:22","modified_gmt":"2014-06-05T12:12:22","slug":"tracking-the-light-looks-at-the-nw-j","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/tracking-the-light-looks-at-the-nw-j\/","title":{"rendered":"Tracking the Light Looks at the N&W J"},"content":{"rendered":"

611 at Spencer, May 2014.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Exposed<\/a>
Exposed with a Lumix LX-7. The diffused light made for wonderful reflections.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the stars of the Streamliner\u2019s at Spencer event was Norfolk & Western 611, one of only a handful of preserved American streamlined steam locomotives. Here\u2019s a sampling of the many images I made, and an excerpt of the text from my book Super Steam<\/em>\u00a0published by MBI (out of print), where I detailed the J class. Today the locomotive catches attention for its streamlined shrouds, but there\u2019s a lot more to the N&W J than just good looks:<\/p>\n

“Among the most impressive products of N&W’s Roanoke Shops were its 14 Class J 4-8-4s. These spectacular machines defied convention while settting record for performance and reliability. The first five J’s were built during 1941 and 1942, with N&W’s distinctive streamlined shrouds, and featured 27×32 inch cylinders, 70-inch drivers, 107.7 square foot firebox grate, and a huge boiler set for 275 lb. psi operation. As built these locomotives delivered 73,300 lbs. tractive effort. (N&W later increased the boiler pressure to 300 psi, and as result tractive effort was increased to 80,000 lbs.) The J class exhibited all of the trappings of modern locomotive, featuring roller bearings on all axles and reciprocating parts, one-piece cast steel frame, mechanical lubrication and light weight alloy-steel rods . . .”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"611<\/a>
611 Noir. Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"N&W<\/a>
N&W 611 surrounded by the enemy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"611<\/a>
611 in stereo. Lumix LX-7 photo. There’s nothing like a good puddle to make a great photo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nose<\/a>
Nose view of one of America’s most famous locomotives. Exposed with a Lumix LX-7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For more Streamliners \u00a0photos, click on\u00a0Tracking the Light’s\u00a0Streamliners at Spencer\u00a0<\/a>page.<\/p>\n

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