Looking for 611 trip route input

[NW Mailing List]

Bob:
 
Publicity, confirmed by Jim Wrinn of Trains Magazine, is that  
Greensboro-Roanoke will be over the former Virginian after Hurt Connection at  
Altavista.  This is your "Route #1".
 
Dave Phelps
 
 
In a message dated 1/12/2016 6:45:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:





I have a good friend who sent me a note inquiring about the  trips the 611 
should be taking later this spring. I sent him a few personal  opinons on 
which trips I thought were the best and why -- those "Home State"  opinions 
follow below after >>> marks.  


Also, I want to ask this list for some information about the  
Greensboro-Roanoke routing. In my suggestions below, I made note that there  were three 
feasible routes Norfolk Southern could allow the 611 to travel  between 
Greensboro and Roanoke. 


1 - Greensboro, Altavista, Roanoke, and return.
2 - Greensboro, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and return.
Note: The east and westbound legs could be swapped on each run.
3 - Greensboro, Winston Salem, Roanoke, return via either Lynchburg or  
Altavista, to Greensboro -- a circle trip and a route that would provide  the 
most non-repeat scenery.


Here follows what I sent to my friend and I'm curious if I have the  
general layout correct and I'm also curious if anyone knows what will be the  
Greensboro-Roanoke routing.



>>> Considering  all of the trips and the pros and cons of each, in my 
opinion the best  trip on which to either ride or chase is the Spencer to  
Asheville and return trip. The scenery should be colorful with loads  of spring 
flowers and the climbing of the Southern Loops is a  knockout ... you will 
love it! Sit on the RIGHT  side! 


>>> My  second choice for "best trip" is the run from Greensboro to Roanoke 
 and back to Greensboro, BUT ONLY if they do it via two different  routes 
-- a circle trip -- which is both feasible  and possible.


>>> Actually,  there are three Roanoke-Greensboro routes over which Norfolk 
 Southern could allow the excursions to travel. All of them have been used  
before by the 611 and all of them are in full service  today.


>>> Route  #1 - I am guessing that this is the most likely routing that 
Norfolk  Southern will choose: Depart Greensboro travel north to Altavista, 
switch  off west to the old Virginian line, and  then travel west into Roanoke. 
The trip could return to  Greensboro on the same route.


>>> Route  #2 - My guess for the second preferred NS route is as follows: 
Greensboro  north to Lynchburg (which is north of Altavista) turning west and 
 traveling to Roanoke. The trip could return to Greensboro along the same  
route.


>>> Note:  Routes number one and number two are similar in that they depart 
Greensboro in  the same northbound fashion and both take a left turn to go 
west to  Roanoke. The railroad could very easily allow your train to go  
north, turn left at Altavista and from Roanoke return via Lynchburg  and then 
back to Greensboro (or, just the opposite  routing).


>>> Route  #3 - This one would be my favorite route and could easily 
operate in  either of two directions: Depart Greensboro westbound on the  old 
Southern Railway line to Winston Salem where (after the J  spins its wheels a 
bit right behind Krispy Kreme HQ) you jump  over to the old N&W and go north 
to Roanoke. Then from Roanoke you would  come back to Greensboro either via 
Lynchburg or Altavista. I love  this circle trip and would have no preference 
for which of the two  directions it went ... clockwise or  
counterclockwise. 


Back  to my comments to the N&W list… I appreciate any input on this and  
especially if anyone knows the route they will take from Greensboro  
back-and-forth to Roanoke.


Also  I told my friend that I was guessing that the Spencer-Charlottesville 
round  trip would have the highest average train speed. No?


Merger headaches and all, I'm tickled that Norfolk Southern is  proceeding 
with 611 excursions and I look forward to a great year behind this  
magnificent J locomotive. The best to you all and the best of trips…  Bob


Here follows the 611 schedule for those who do not have it:



Saturday and Sunday trips during the months of April,  May, and  June.


The Virginian
April 9 - Spencer to Lynchburg


Blue Ridge Special
‪April 10 - Spencer to Asheville‬


The Roanoker
‪Apr 23-Greensboro to Roanoke‬


The Roanoker
‪Apr 24-Greensboro Roanoke‬


Powhatan Arrow
‪May 7 - Roanoke to Lynchburg, AM Run ‬


The Pelican
‪May 7 - Roanoke to Walton, PM Run‬


Powhatan Arrow
‪May 8 - Roanoke, Lynchburg, AM Run‬


The Pelican
‪May 8 - Roanoke to Walton, PM Run ‬


The American
‪June 4 – Manassas to Front Royal‬


The American
‪June 5 - Manassas to Front Royal (2 round trips)‬


Bob  Loehne
7028  Tallent Court
Sherrills  Ford, NC 28673
_980-613-9046_ (tel:980-613-9046) 
_800-611-1218_ (tel:800-611-1218) 
_oezbob at aol.com_ (mailto:oezbob at aol.com) 




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