We were camping at Dan Nicholas Campground which is about 10 or 15 miles or so from Spencer last year with our two grandsons. We got to see her the day before she went back to Roanoke to go into service. The morning she left with a quiet morning and it was very unmistakable what her whistle was being blown. We all were eating breakfast about the time she started to blow the whistle and my seven-year-old grandson jumped up and yelled it's the queen it's the queen. Her whistle may be a bit off but she is still on mistakable. And she still send thrills to anyone who hears her. Live on McQueen me your majestic tone be heard by all.
Not to be a downer here or take glory away from her return, but this is not the TRUE voice of the Queen. The whistle 611 had when she was last in excursion service in the early 1990s sounded perfect, because Preston Claytor provided it. This new Hancock three chime sounds garbled and sick compared to the crisp, clear authoritative tone we heard before. Regardless, her return will still remain one of the greatest moments in railroad history. Long live the Queen of Steam!
Im sure they will fix it, because it is very apparent that it isn't working right. My comment above explains why its different. I don't believe it is their fault for changing it, anyone who wanted to clean it out or take a look at the inside between 1994 and 2012 would've changed the sound. Good news is that it can be fixed easy, I even know what to do... getting myself there and permission to tinker with someone else's engine is a bigger issue lol
Your welcome! I would love to climb on up and tune it but that probably will not happen :( Also, sorry to disappoint, but I never built any full size whistles... although I do own two, built by MD Whistles. A Replica GTW 6 Chime, and a Custom 6 Chime based off of an old Cass recording.
The UP whistle on her now is identical to her old one. They are actually Hancock Long Bell 3 Chimes, N&W and UP did not make their own steamboat whistles (N&W made an experimental version but wasn't used in actual service as far as I know). Like I said it just needs to be adjusted etc. It could also be very worn but it looked perfect from a photo I saw.
It does sound like 3985 a bit. But it could possibly sound like the Claytor whistle if someone tunes it. I also wish we could have an authentic J class whistle but this is the next best thing to it.
trevor overholt I agree. I wish Preston's Hancock three chime was still on 611. She does sound too much like UP 844, UP 3985, or SP 4449. No offense to Cheri George, who owns the new Hancock, but it is one of the worst sounding whistles out there. Hopefully they can tune it to how a J whistle is supposed to sound if Preston still will not give the old one back. Preston's was truly a "perfect" fit for 611.
The most beautiful of all passenger steam locomotives, the Norfolk & Western J Class 4-8-4 number 611, my favorite of all the Passenger streamlined steam locomotives.
I do love her new whistle but even though I wasnt born when the 611 made her 90's excursions, i do think the whistle from the 90's sounded much better. The old whistle was so crisp and aggressive and her new whistle just doesnt have that. It would be nice for the old whistle to come back but for now: ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF STEAM!
Hey, Michael... :) :) :) :) :) I found your input, didn't I? Haha... Yeah, I think we are all now perfectly satisfied with how the latest Hancock sounds. (The one Scott Lindsay and his crew installed in early 2016)
You do know he was happy to see 611 come back right? He was quoted as saying "It’s a great thing to have the 611 back for Roanoke and for people that love the rails," and, "As the guy that gave her a little rest, I’m happy to see her working."
because it wasnt, for 2015 611 wore a UP FEF Hancock 3 Chime, in 2016 she was given a more N&W fitted whistle, personally i like the UP Whistle, sounds better.
I hear ya. Im not too concerned as this is one of the first times they blew it with the lagging. I have tickets for July 4th, so all I am concerned with is if it will run then, assuming they are doing the same quality of work they have done for the past year it should work flawlessly.
Ryan Seals It wasnt at a full 300 PSI when most of these whistle blows where done. If you notice as the video progresses the pitch of the whistle changes ever so often. Most of these where blown at around 200-240 PSI.
It isn't pressure affecting the sound. It is the adjustment of the whistle. This exact whistle was blown on PM 1225 last summer and sounded excellent at around 235-245 psi... its all because of how they have it against the streamlining/ shrouding on the boiler.
Go on little Queenie lets ride into the storm. Impresseve. Right up their with a rating alongside the Nasa Orion Mars launch today. See you in the future miss J 611 and in Clarkdale611ww.
***** I would expect so, being that there was still parts to be placed and cleaned. This is merely the first time out of the "garage", before she is 100% show ready.
Corey Hufnagle All Hancock 3 chimes, just tuned differently per road spec. 611 will sound different before mainline, whistle has kinks to be worked out.
+Adam Swindell Actually her whistle is made off an exact replica of the whistle that was put on her when she rolled out of the Roanoke East End Shops. It was created by a guy in Michigan who used the real one to create this one. Her whistle is a NW J whistle no where near a big boys whistle may sound alike but i can tell ya ive lived in Roanoke, VA my whole life and volunteer at the Museum of Transportation so it is a replica of the NW baritone whistle
Love her whistle. She is truly a beautiful locomotive.
Once again, Her Royal Highness, N&W 611, will rule the rails as "Queen of Steam"!
I love this type of streamlined steam engine.
What a magnificent locomotive. Would absolutely love to hitch a ride on the 611 at some point.
I have road it 92 93 94.
We were camping at Dan Nicholas Campground which is about 10 or 15 miles or so from Spencer last year with our two grandsons. We got to see her the day before she went back to Roanoke to go into service. The morning she left with a quiet morning and it was very unmistakable what her whistle was being blown. We all were eating breakfast about the time she started to blow the whistle and my seven-year-old grandson jumped up and yelled it's the queen it's the queen. Her whistle may be a bit off but she is still on mistakable. And she still send thrills to anyone who hears her. Live on McQueen me your majestic tone be heard by all.
She sounds magnificent.
Felix Nuts Tomcat it's a splendid engine
at 0:07 you can even see Mario appreciating this magnificent beast.
What a nice whistle!
CottonBeltSD40T it's a splendid engine
r u serious that is the ugliest train i’ve ever seen in my life and the worst whistle i’ve heard in my life. (as i come from England)
Joanne Battle I'm from England myself and I thought it was a rather splendid engine something different we don't see to often.
@@joeybattle5137 nobody cares
SCL3618, Thanks for videoing me blowing her whistle!
Hail to the queen of steam.
My favorite locomotive & I LOVE that deep whistle she has, a very awesome locomotive indeed 😊😊
It's good to see the J back, even if the whistle is a tad off.
Not to be a downer here or take glory away from her return, but this is not the TRUE voice of the Queen. The whistle 611 had when she was last in excursion service in the early 1990s sounded perfect, because Preston Claytor provided it. This new Hancock three chime sounds garbled and sick compared to the crisp, clear authoritative tone we heard before. Regardless, her return will still remain one of the greatest moments in railroad history. Long live the Queen of Steam!
Im sure they will fix it, because it is very apparent that it isn't working right. My comment above explains why its different. I don't believe it is their fault for changing it, anyone who wanted to clean it out or take a look at the inside between 1994 and 2012 would've changed the sound. Good news is that it can be fixed easy, I even know what to do... getting myself there and permission to tinker with someone else's engine is a bigger issue lol
Your welcome! I would love to climb on up and tune it but that probably will not happen :( Also, sorry to disappoint, but I never built any full size whistles... although I do own two, built by MD Whistles. A Replica GTW 6 Chime, and a Custom 6 Chime based off of an old Cass recording.
The UP whistle on her now is identical to her old one. They are actually Hancock Long Bell 3 Chimes, N&W and UP did not make their own steamboat whistles (N&W made an experimental version but wasn't used in actual service as far as I know). Like I said it just needs to be adjusted etc. It could also be very worn but it looked perfect from a photo I saw.
It does sound like 3985 a bit. But it could possibly sound like the Claytor whistle if someone tunes it. I also wish we could have an authentic J class whistle but this is the next best thing to it.
trevor overholt I agree. I wish Preston's Hancock three chime was still on 611. She does sound too much like UP 844, UP 3985, or SP 4449. No offense to Cheri George, who owns the new Hancock, but it is one of the worst sounding whistles out there. Hopefully they can tune it to how a J whistle is supposed to sound if Preston still will not give the old one back. Preston's was truly a "perfect" fit for 611.
The most beautiful of all passenger steam locomotives, the Norfolk & Western J Class 4-8-4 number 611, my favorite of all the Passenger streamlined steam locomotives.
She is beautiful streamlined # 611 class-J
I do love her new whistle but even though I wasnt born when the 611 made her 90's excursions, i do think the whistle from the 90's sounded much better. The old whistle was so crisp and aggressive and her new whistle just doesnt have that. It would be nice for the old whistle to come back but for now: ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF STEAM!
Hey, Michael... :) :) :) :) :) I found your input, didn't I? Haha... Yeah, I think we are all now perfectly satisfied with how the latest Hancock sounds. (The one Scott Lindsay and his crew installed in early 2016)
She is beautiful
Anddd bigboy/up 4014 is the king of steam
611 has a cold
Union Pacific 838's whistle was on the Norfolk and Western J class 611.
When? And by the way wouldn't the UP 838 whistle be in bad shape like the loco?
No, that's SP 4449's old whistle
The Queen is back!
David Goode should be forced to listen to 611's and 1218's whistle every minute of every hour of every day for the his crummy life.
You do know he was happy to see 611 come back right? He was quoted as saying "It’s a great thing to have the 611 back for Roanoke and for people that love the rails," and, "As the guy that gave her a little rest, I’m happy to see her working."
Just doesn't sound like the whistle that was owned by Mr. Claytor
because it wasnt, for 2015 611 wore a UP FEF Hancock 3 Chime, in 2016 she was given a more N&W fitted whistle, personally i like the UP Whistle, sounds better.
@@maxwellsteam5810 The UP whistle was actually SP 4449's old whistle.
great footage...
Great shot.
One think comes to mind when I think of the best class of streamlined steam locomotives: J6b (the full designation for the 600 class)
It is actually just "J" or "J-1". You are confusing it with a "Y6b"... which is a successful freight engine for the N&W.
The whistle doesn’t seem as loud on video if you were to hear it in person it would Make your ears ring
Gotta be the most beutiful train in America. Fight me over it, but my opinion stays the same
Where is this locomotive located?
Trainfan1055 It's based out of Roanoke, VA but is currently at the North Carolina Transportation Museum for winter maintenance.
Whistle still sounds good!
My favorite train
All hail the Queen of Steam herself, the Norfolk and Western’s #611 “Spirit of Roanoke”!
Great video!!!
Its needs some adjusting, they have the thing a certain way and the lagging is muting the lowest note at full blast.
Ryan Seals As with anything, the kinks have to be discovered and worked out before it's at its optimum. Should be remedied by the test run.
I hear ya. Im not too concerned as this is one of the first times they blew it with the lagging. I have tickets for July 4th, so all I am concerned with is if it will run then, assuming they are doing the same quality of work they have done for the past year it should work flawlessly.
I thought it did't sound right.
Ryan Seals It wasnt at a full 300 PSI when most of these whistle blows where done. If you notice as the video progresses the pitch of the whistle changes ever so often. Most of these where blown at around 200-240 PSI.
It isn't pressure affecting the sound. It is the adjustment of the whistle. This exact whistle was blown on PM 1225 last summer and sounded excellent at around 235-245 psi... its all because of how they have it against the streamlining/ shrouding on the boiler.
Go on little Queenie lets ride into the storm. Impresseve.
Right up their with a rating alongside the Nasa Orion Mars launch today. See you in the future miss J 611 and in Clarkdale611ww.
Hey SCL3618, is N&W 611 is back on the rails again or was it for that day?
gotta love that UP whistle tone
Actually that's really SP 4449's old whistle, fitted to 611 in 2014 until 2017.
@@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos no it’s not
@@brendangranger3684 Yes it is. I was told so by SP 4449's crew.
I read a article about the J`s that they were faster than up 844 is that true?
Peter Lombardi The J would be faster than 844 right now................
Good the hell with 844 looks so un streamlined lol
Are they going to paint the driving wheels and trailing truck?
***** I would expect so, being that there was still parts to be placed and cleaned. This is merely the first time out of the "garage", before she is 100% show ready.
***** After her run on the 9th they started fixing a couple of kinks on the train. I believe that is finished and they are continuing painting.
How long do you get to blow the whistle for whistle time?
Not sure on that one.
Her whistle sounds a mixture between SP 4449 and Frisco 1522
Corey Hufnagle All Hancock 3 chimes, just tuned differently per road spec. 611 will sound different before mainline, whistle has kinks to be worked out.
Corey Hufnagle It's a little more 4449
That's what I said earlier. Happy to see her come to life again. Love to see it come through New England in the near future.
Corey Hufnagle Her whistle is a Big Boy whistle. Cheri George asked for it to be on 611. And as you can see, it happened.
+Adam Swindell Actually her whistle is made off an exact replica of the whistle that was put on her when she rolled out of the Roanoke East End Shops. It was created by a guy in Michigan who used the real one to create this one. Her whistle is a NW J whistle no where near a big boys whistle may sound alike but i can tell ya ive lived in Roanoke, VA my whole life and volunteer at the Museum of Transportation so it is a replica of the NW baritone whistle
NOW WHO'S WITH ME !?
844 had this whistle
Love trains I want to ride them
This New Whistle 0:42
Voice of the queen, wait this steam engine is a female, no way 👑👸😲😱
0:10
It's like 4449 and 4014
That is actually 4449's old whistle, used by 611 from 2014-2017.
and union pacific challengers and fef-2 are prince of union pacific steam the royal hudson is the king of canadian pacific steam
Why does it look like it has a face
Idk but it makes it a beauty
Who forgot to oil the bell ? Lol
She's mad
0:10