06/04/2026
On Monday, June 22nd, the legendary Norfolk & Western 611 pulls into town! Join us for lunch at one of our restaurants and watch the 611 in action as she begins to maneuver on the wye to prepare for her second round of Louisa-based excursions. Stop by the Town of Gordonsville’s Visitor Center (200 S. Main Street, Gordonsville, VA 22942) on the day for information, wayfinding, and more!
What makes this event special? Gordonsville grew alongside rail travel in Virginia, and this special excursion on the Virginia Scenic Railway is an opportunity to learn more about the Town’s history and traditions. Many shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area will be open special hours that day, and we look forward to welcoming passengers, rail fans, visitors, and locals alike.
The train carrying passengers from Staunton on 6/22, a 611 locomotive, was built in 1950. It is “the sole survivor of the ‘J-Class’ fleet — widely considered the pinnacle of steam technology,” according to the Virginia Scenic Railway. “With its iconic bullet-shaped nose and elegant Tuscan Red stripe, the 611 was designed to be both a workhorse and a beauty, capable of pulling passenger trains over the Blue Ridge Mountains at sustained high speeds. As a super-power locomotive, she is not just a machine; she is a living, breathing icon of American engineering.”
Learn more about the Virginia Scenic Railway and their Summer of Steam on their website: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/
