Re: NNG: 611, The Virginian Excursion...

michael Wrote:
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> So, how much work was 611 actually doing with
> those diesels behind her. I know they were mainly
> there for braking power, but I'm wondering if you
> got any sounds of her struggling a bit.

Actually, on the Saturday trip to Lynchburg the diesels were used to stretch the coal. It's over 320 miles round-trip and 611 doesn't have enough capacity to pull that long a train that distance without needing extra coal. As for the Asheville trip on Sunday, the diesels were needed for extra power (as much as dynamic braking) on the 2+% grade around the Loops. As Bill said, they appeared to be using the train brakes descending the Loops (I couldn't hear that distinctive dynamic whine when they came down the mountain) which surprised me a bit. And 611 did plenty of work both days. All the clips in the video above are on uphill grades and you clearly hear 611 more than the diesels.

-James
[www.steamtrainvideos.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2016 08:55PM by James Parfrey.