The class Js were developed and built by the Norfolk and Western's (N&W) East End Shops in Roanoke, Virginia between 1941 and 1950 to handle passenger trains over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Designed with 70 in (1,778 mm) driving wheels, 80,000 ib (36.3 tonnes) of tractive effort, and an operating boiler pressure of 300 psi (2.07 MPa), the class Js were the most powerful passenger steam locomotive as they operated upwards of 15,000 miles (24,140 km) per month and several logged over 3,000,000 miles (4,828,030 km). There streamlined appearance was designed by N&W Tool Supervisor, Franklin C. Noel and were painted black with a Tuscan red stripe and golden yellow linings and letterings.
From late 1944 to early 1945, one of the Js, No. 610 was on loan to the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), where it was tested to haul a 1,015 tonnes (1,015,000 kg) passenger train with 15 passenger cars at more than 110 mph (177 km/h) over the flat terrain on the Fort Wayne Division. Because of their power and speed, the class Js were among the most reliable locomotives as they run evenly on the mountainous and relatively short route of the N&W. They along with the articulated 2-6-6-4 class A and 2-6-6-2 Y6 freight locomotive were part of N&W's "Big Three" steam locomotives and represented the pinnacle of steam locomotive technology.
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Norfolk and Western 611 Story
Non-FictionN&W 611 is the last J-class steam locomotives around
