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Between 1941 and 1950. 14 Norfolk Western Railway J Class 4-8-4 streamlined steam locomotives were built at the NW’s Roanoke East End Shops. As the most powerful of their kind. they were an integral member of the NW’s “Big Three” steam roster. representing the technology’s peak. Initially pulling prestigious passenger trains. they later transitioned to freight and were retired by October 1959. except for No. 611. which now resides at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT). Restored twice. it featured in Norfolk Southern Railway’s steam program from 1982 to 1994 and later in the 21st Century Steam Program. It now operates as a traveling exhibit. occasionally pulling excursions on host railroads.
FEATURES:
* Lighting features operate when using an ESU decoder with appropriate programming while operating using DCC
** Class lights illuminate in white color only in DC operation. Access and changing colors requires an ESU decoder with appropriate programming while operating using DCC
***“PowerPack” feature only compatible with appropriately programmed ESU decoders operating on a DCC layout
During the late 1930s. Norfolk and Western Railway (NW) faced challenges with its K2 and K2a 4-8-2 “Mountains” locomotives due to increased passenger traffic following the Great Depression. Seeking a more robust and visually appealing passenger steam locomotive. the NW initially considered a class N 4-8-4 type but found its driving wheels insufficient for their railway grades. Engineer H.W. Reynolds then redesigned the drivers to a 70-inch diameter to combat wheel slippage. Despite initial design rejections. Franklin C. Noel eventually proposed the class J bullet-nosed design. emphasizing smoothness. beauty. speed. power. and reliability. This design. complemented by Noel’s wife Louise’s suggestion of black paint with Tuscan red striping and golden yellow accents. won approval from NW officials. who hailed it as the most aesthetically pleasing streamlined steam locomotive ever.
In the summer of 1941. the NW’s Roanoke Shops in Virginia constructed the first J class locomotive. No. 600. featuring streamlined elements such as a retractable coupler. bullet-shaped nose with an enclosed headlight. and a skyline casing housing various components atop the boiler. Subsequent locomotives. including No. 601 through No. 604. were completed by January 1942. No. 602 boasted a trailing truck booster for increased tractive effort but later removed it for maintenance convenience—modifications. such as raising boiler pressure. enhanced performance metrics like tractive effort. and horsepower.
Despite relatively small driving wheels. meticulous engineering ensured smooth operation and high-speed capabilities. with the potential for speeds up to 140 mph without causing rail damage. Automatic lubrication systems and large grates facilitated efficient operation and reduced maintenance requirements. The class J locomotives earned praise for their smooth ride and steam production. Production costs for the initial batch of locomotives ranged around $167.000 each. with subsequent batches facing wartime material limitations. The final batch. comprising locomotives No. 611 through No. 613. marked the end of steam passenger locomotive production in the United States when they rolled out in the summer of 1950. Modifications over the years included replacing duplex coupling rods and providing ventilation for air pumps.
The class J locomotives were instrumental in pulling Norfolk and Western’s flagship passenger trains. including the Powhatan Arrow. the Pocahontas. and the Cavalier on routes spanning from Norfolk to Cincinnati. Additionally. they served Southern Railway’s (SOU) The Birmingham Special. the Pelican. and the Tennessean between Lynchburg and Bristol. Virginia. Renowned for their power and speed. these locomotives proved to be exceptionally reliable and efficient. clocking up to 15.000 miles per month. even on the challenging terrain of the NW’s mountainous routes. Beyond their primary duties. they also handled mail trains and local passenger services. Maintenance routines saw them rotating between service on the mainline and visits to the Shaffers Crossing engine terminal in Roanoke for upkeep and cleaning.
No. 600 debuted to the public in 1941 with displays in Bristol. Winston-Salem. Lynchburg. and Durham. before commencing revenue operations. pulling a variety of prestigious passenger trains. No. 603 underwent testing on local routes before joining the roster for express services like The Pocahontas and Cavalier. Another train. the Powhatan Arrow. was NW’s premier train between Norfolk. Virginia. and Cincinnati. Ohio. and was primarily pulled by the J Class. Introduced in 1946. it received streamlined cars in 1949 before undergoing significant alterations in 1958. including the addition of mail cars and the replacement of observation cars with diner-lounges.
However. as the summer of 1958 approached. NW’s new president Stuart T. Saunders initiated a transition to diesel power. acquiring GP9 locomotives from Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD). Although intended for passenger service. the absence of passenger GP9s led to the temporary lease of E6A. E7. and E8 units from other railroads. Consequently. the class J locomotives were reassigned to local freight duties on the Norfolk Division. operating between Norfolk and Crewe. Virginia. Modifications were made to their tenders to accommodate head-end brakemen. Brief returns to passenger service occurred when ACL E units were needed elsewhere. but ultimately. the arrival of NW’s new passenger GP9s in late 1958 signaled the end of their passenger duties. Some class J locomotives continued in freight service until their boiler flue certificates expired.
The lone preserved locomotive. No. 611. stands as a testament to its remarkable journey. Its survival can be attributed partly to its resilient condition following a derailment in 1956. which it subsequently underwent repair for. Additionally. the dedication of attorney and rail enthusiast W. Graham Claytor Jr. played a crucial role. as he stepped forward to rescue the locomotive from the scrapyard. In 1963. No. 611 found a new home at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT). where it remained on static display for twenty years. Its story took a new turn when Norfolk Southern Railway restored it. launching its first excursion career from 1982 to 1994. Subsequently. in 2015. it embarked on a new excursion journey under the care of the VMT. continuing its legacy for enthusiasts and historians alike.
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