When you grow up in a railroading family, you naturally learn to love trains. I can not remember a time, no matter where we were, or how long daddy had been working for the railroad, when we didn’t stop to watch a train go by. So naturally, when Jenn found that the NC Transportation Museum offered the opportunity to spend 30 minutes driving a steam engine I jumped at the chance! After all who wouldn’t want to drive a steam engine?
Last year we visited the Virginia Transportation Museum and rode the 611 from Roanoke to Radford and we both were surprised at how much we enjoyed exploring the trains and riding the rail. The 611 is the last of Norfolk and Western’s J class of steam engines built between 1941 – 1950. Of the 13 that were built, the 611 is the only one still running. We had no idea what to expect in Spencer, but were excited to see what they had to offer. PLUS we knew the 611 was there for some repairs.
The journey to Spencer takes a little over four hours from Wilmington, knowing my drive time was at 3:00, we left early enough to give a cushion. Even though the weather started out nice and sunny, the clouds got thicker the closer we got to our destination. We often laugh that some of our best times were days when rain could have caused us to turn back or not go. We now are often happy to see a little rain on our parade, because we know it’s going to be memorable. So,never ones to let a bit of weather spoil a great day, we were unfazed by the rain and cold and pressed on, and yes, by the time we arrived we were happy to have included our winter coats.
When we arrived at the Transportation Museum, we navigated our way through all the families waiting to go on a train ride with the Easter Bunny, got our tickets and headed toward the roundhouse where I would begin my engineer experience. On the way we took a quick walk through the building with antique machinery, horse drawn buggies and wagons and even an early Piedmont Airlines plane (I told Jenn all about my first plane ride which was on a Piedmont plane). We probably could have explored more, but I was anxious to move on to my driving adventure.
We arrived at the spot where my adventure would begin, and discovered they were a little behind. No worries, it gave me time to talk with the crew. Share train stories. AND take a few pics and video of the light engine I would drive. The Jeddo Coal #85 ‘Mack’ is a 0-4-GT saddle tank engine built by Vulcan Iron Works in 1928. She debuted in 2017 in Spencer after a 6 year restoration by John and Barney Grambling of Grambling Locomotive Works. She weighs in at 82,000 lb (37.2 metric tons) and her boiler pressure is 150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa). The guys told me they use about a ton of coal each day they are doing these ‘At The Throttle’ adventures.
When it was my turn, I was excited to be standing in the engineer position! And nervous I would forget the instruction I would be given.First, I learned about the directional lever, the brake, then the throttle, then how to release the stream (it’s when you see the steam shoot from the side in the video and last but certainly not least the whistle. I was careful to go through the steps again with the engineer riding along…then three toots of the whistle and we’re off!
The adventure lasted 30 minutes. Three trips up and back along a designated area of track. I’m proud to say, the engineer told me I had a nearly perfect take off on my first try!! I can’t tell you how excited it was or how happy I felt (still do). Just know that it was immeasurably good. After our first trip up, the crew said, “you can blow the whistle as much as you want” I did! Then they showed me that this steam engine also is equipped with a diesel horn. At the end of my ride, they told me that I was the first, not only that day but out of several weekends, to ‘get my money’s worth’ out of blowing the whistle.
On the last trip up and back, they let Jenn ride along. She even got to ring the bell. I just can’t say enough how wonderful this experience was! I would recommend to everyone who loves trains!
We had been told that the 611 was in the roundhouse, so we knew our next stop was to go searching for her. The Bob Julian Roundhouse has 37 bays and a 100 ft turntable and is one of the largest remaining such structures in the United States. It was built in 1924 and is one of the few preserved roundhouses remaining in the country. We were excited to see that parts of it were still in operation and we were able to walk through the actual working shop where trains were undergoing repairs and restorations. (If you don’t know, my dad worked and retired from the shop at the Winston-Salem Southbound). The exhibits in the other bays were also fascinating and housed many different rail cars, including a hospital car that was used in WWII to bring Jews out of the concentration camps after they were liberated.
We ended our adventure for the day at Hendrix barbecue. I’m always happy when I can get some Lexington Style BBQ.
Great Day y’all! I recommend it all!
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