Norfolk & Western 611 The Early Years looks back at the early 80's when class j northern no. 611 was restored the program looks at a history of all the class j's from nos. 600 to 613 until they were retired when the diesels came along and when the 611 was restored and returned in 1982 1982 was also the year when the n&w merged with the southern railway to form the now famous norfolk southern during the years of the southern they've operated steam excursions with their steam program with southern mikado 4501 (one of the engines that started the program than latter on by southern consolidations 630 and 722 and savanna and Atlanta pacific 750) the four small engines that operated for the program than the big point was with the 611 taken over there's a look into the iorndale shops in Birmingham Alabama with the finishing touches than the return to Roanoke there's many excursions where the engine once ran during the steam days which include Roanoke Bluefield Portsmouth and Cincinnati also a scene on a bridge in Cooper there's also trips on the southern including Erlanger Hill in Kentucky a trip to Atlanta than also some fright moves 611 would continue to operate until December 1994 until 2015 when she has operated since and i hope she continues to run as long like many other steam engines (that have operated for several years before and after her restoration) like union pacific 844 Milwaukee road 261 nickel plate road 765 southern pacific 4449 santa fe 3751 grand canyon railway 4960 and great western railway no.90 on the strasburg railroad (out of all the engines on the strasburg railroad no.90 has operated the longest since she arrived in 1967) also frisco 1522 (she operated for 14 years hope the 611 could run for as long as that) this is a great look back at her first runs as a excursion engine in this period of time

Additional remarks by chris collins:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

This dvd marks the first time that 611 was in its first excursion service, & according to the time period, it was the final time that Greg used his Super 8 Sound film camera before getting a Pentax 6x7 video camera and beginning the business. 611's whistle was good, and there are 3 previews that have something to do with 611. Memories of N&W 611 (2005 version), norfolk southern steam volume 1, & the new N&W in transition.

Additional remarks by STEAMBOY:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value: Overpriced for the amount of enjoyment I got out of it.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

This is was I consider �The early years� series (844, 765, & 611), and like 2839 A Royal farewell and NKP 765 The early years these films were shot on a super 8 mm camera by Greg Scholl just years before he got into the train video business. He documents 611�s first excursion career as well as she�s steamed for test at the Southern Railway�s steam shop in Bermingham, Al. Just like NKP 765 the early years the footage gives this a unique and different look to the viewer. One of my favorite highlights from this program is when 611 travels home from Bermingham to her home in Roanoke and when she�s on a freight move and man does she put on a show! I�m not sure if there�s any other production company that documents 611�s first excursion service, but I know on YouTube there�s a documentary called �Going Home� that documents 611 excursion and her restoration. Overall this is probably the best program that Greg has put out on 611�s early excursion career aswell as NKP 765. 611 puts on a awesome show back then just like how she does now so if you�re a fan of N&W 611 this is a must have!

Additional remarks by Hawaii_train_dude:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!