RE 611 Last Runs

[NW Mailing List]

Jim - 

Next you’re going to try to sell that you weren’t born yet . . . 

I doubt if Superintendent Clarke H. Hale made it too hard on Cabiness.  OWL did a lot of the whistle blowing, especially in the tunnels, mainly to PO the recording guys on the train, and Cabiness made no effort to stop him.  I also doubt that Hale gave Cabiness too much trouble for violating the speed limit by 9 MPH across Salem Level, if he even knew about it.  I don’t know who would have told him (none of us three riders were going to), and the speedometer had no recording device.

Going from Walton up to Christiansburg at 45 MPH the throttle was never more than 2/3 open.  

That was the smoothest ride I ever had on a steam locomotive.  Js were supposed to be stiff in curves, but my young senses couldn’t detect it.  

EdKing
From: NW Mailing List 
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:52 PM
To: NW Mailing List 
Subject: Re: RE 611 Last Runs

Ed

I seem to recall that trip. The last segment from Christiansburg Station old 611 did not go quietly to retirement.  The whistle was blown almost continually, echoing off the mountains and through the Valley.  I understand Paul Cabiness was called in to see the Superintendent the next morning to explain why the no whistle ordinances were not observed.  Not sure what reason he gave but it must have been an good one. 

Jim Blackstock 


At 01:16 PM 11/20/2013, you wrote:

  Is there anyone out there who can share with me the first “last run”, Roanoke to Williamson and back,  in October 1959?  I was on the engine from Bluefield into Roanoke (other occupants of the cab were Engineer Noah Blevins, who fired, and Assistant Road Foreman Paul Cabiness, who ran, TRAINS photographer Bill Akin and none other than OWL himself), and couldn’t bear to see it go to Shaffer’s Crossing to have the fire dropped for the last time.
   
  But I’m glad that you youngsters have similar feelings . . .
   
  EdKing
   
  From: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 12:13 PM
  To: NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org 
  Subject: RE 611 Last Runs
   
  I highly suggest the January 1983 issue of Trains magazine featuring the rebirth of 611. 
   
  There is a piece later in the magazine called "Twenty Minutes To Roanoke" by WJ Walker. 
   
  Much like Bob's words, it will keep you glued to your seat saying "Yes!"
   
  Jeff Lisowski
   
  -- 
  "Sic Semper Tyrannis!" 


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