The Spring Steam Special III excursion ran from Atlanta to Toccoa, Georgia, a distance of about 100 miles each way. Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 611 was the power this day, still looking like she had just been released from the Birmingham Steam Shop. N&W 611 was built by N&W in 1950 at Roanoke. She has 70 inch drivers, boiler pressure of 300 lbs, 27 x 32 inch Cylinders, and can deliver 80,000 pounds of tractive effort. N&W 611 passes me near Ayersville. Judging by the brakeshoe smoke she is drifting downgrade at a pretty good clip.
