Get Fired Up for a Summer of Steam Railroading

Staunton, Va. — This summer, Virginia will become one of the nation’s top destinations for passengers wishing to catch a ride behind a legendary steam train. Thousands of lucky riders will have an opportunity to see how American railroads operated during the glorious days of steam.

This is not just any steam train – it’s the famed N&W Class J 611, built in Virginia, which previously made sold out appearances running as the “Shenandoah Valley Limited” in the fall of 2023 and 2025.

“We’re beyond thrilled to bring history back to life this summer, especially in new locations and with different thrills and highlights. This will be a special treat for every rail lover who has dreamed of experiencing the power and elegance of the steam era firsthand,” said Steve Powell, President of the Buckingham Branch Railroad, which operates the Virginia Scenic Railway.

Built in 1950, the 611 locomotive is the sole survivor of the “J-Class” fleet — widely considered the pinnacle of steam technology. 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. The engine is the official Steam Locomotive for the State of Virginia, is designated a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This is a milestone moment not just for Norfolk & Western 611, but for this entire region. For the first time in a number of years, we’re bringing mainline steam into a new part of Virginia, giving a whole new generation the chance to see, hear, and feel this living piece of history come to life,” said Mendy Flynn, Executive Director, Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Virginia’s 2026 Summer of Steam kicks off in June with a two-week residency in historic Staunton, then it will relocate for a final two-week run from the charming town of Louisa. Excursions will begin in Staunton on June 12, 2026 and conclude in Louisa on July 5, 2026. These special rides will operate on Virginia’s historic mainline tracks. Each journey lasts approximately 1.5 hours, offering an up-close encounter with the sights, sounds, and sensations of steam railroading at its absolute peak.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: There will also be a longer, one-time excursion on Monday, June 22 that will depart from Staunton and head east under steam over Afton Mountain and through the Blue Ridge Tunnel before making brief appearances in Crozet, Ivy, and in downtown Charlottesville on the way to historic Gordonsville. There, passengers will deboard the train and get to watch the 611 in action as she begins to maneuver on the wye in preparation for her second round of Louisa-based excursions. Passengers will have an opportunity to take photos and eat lunch in downtown Gordonsville before reboarding the train for the trip back to Staunton, which will be pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive.

This repeat collaboration — between the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Steam Railroading Institute, and the Virginia Scenic Railway — invites train fans of all ages to experience the power, precision, and pageantry of steam-era passenger travel.

The Steam Railroading Institute and the Virginia Scenic Railway are providing passenger coaches. Prices and seating options will vary, and will include the following classes of service: Coach, Premium Coach, Table Class, and Dome Class.

Specific details about the schedule, price, and route descriptions are available on the Virginia Scenic Railway website. Tickets are expected to be released on April 15, 2026. To stay up to date with the Summer of Steam and other special Railway events, subscribe to the e-newsletter on the Virginia Scenic Railway website.

Photos available upon request.

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About the Virginia Scenic Railway

The Virginia Scenic Railway began service in 2022 and offers the state’s only regularly scheduled sightseeing excursion service, with multiple rail excursion options from two locations – Staunton and Louisa. The Virginia Scenic Railway is owned and operated by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, the largest short-line railroad in Virginia with four divisions and 280 miles of track. Learn more at VirginiaScenicRailway.com

About the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the N&W Class J 611 Steam Locomotive

The Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc. in Roanoke is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official transportation museum. It houses the largest collection of locomotives in the Mid-Atlantic region including the famed N&W Class J 611. This sleek and powerful Class J locomotive, designed and built in Roanoke by the Norfolk & Western Railway, has been hailed as the finest steam engine in the world. The 1950 Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 is the sole surviving Class J 4-8-4 steam locomotive. After entering service in 1950, it transported passengers until it retired in 1959. The 611 is owned and operated by Virginia Museum of Transportation as a traveling exhibit. Learn more at vmt.org

About the Steam Railroading Institute

The Steam Railroading Institute from Owosso, Michigan, is dedicated to educating the public about steam era railroading in Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. This includes preserving the skills and technology needed to maintain steam locomotives by operating steam era equipment and providing the experience of steam locomotives in actual operation. In addition to the fleet of passenger coaches and dining cars that will visit the Virginia Scenic Railway this fall, SRI also owns and operates Pere Marquette 1225, the locomotive animated in “The Polar Express” movie. Learn more at MichiganSteamTrain.com

Media Contact

Please reach out to Kathy Moore via Railway@MoorePublicRelations.com