How many locomotives are there numbered 611?

There have been countless locomotives that have carried the number #611.

Q: Which is the famous locomotive #611?

Norfolk & Western #611 — The only surviving member of the Class J 4-8-4 steam locomotives built by the Norfolk & Western Railway between 1941–50. train.spottingworld.com+3Wikipedia+3American-Rails.com+3 Lehigh & New England #611 — A diesel-electric switcher built in 1948 by American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the Lehigh & New England Railroad and still existing under the care of the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. https://riptrack.org/

Q: What is the difference between Norfolk & Western #611 and Lehigh & New England #611?

A: Norfolk & Western # 611 and Lehigh & New England # 611 are two very different locomotives that simply share the same road number. The N&W #611 is a streamlined 4-8-4 steam locomotive built in 1950 at the Norfolk & Western’s own Roanoke Shops. It was designed for high-speed mainline passenger service, capable of running over 100 miles per hour, and became famous for hauling the railroad’s premier trains. Visually, it’s an iconic machine with a bullet-nose, smooth streamlining, and elegant maroon-and-gold striping. Today, it is fully restored, operational, and one of the most celebrated preserved steam locomotives in the world. In contrast, the L&NE #611 is a compact ALCO S-2 diesel-electric switcher built in 1948. Unlike the N&W’s high-speed passenger engine, this locomotive was intended for low-speed yard and industrial switching work. Its design is purely functional: a boxy body, much smaller footprint, and a 1,000-horsepower diesel engine well-suited to tight curves and constant stops. While it lacks the dramatic appearance and speed of the steam #611, it represents an important era of dieselization and industrial railroading. The L&NE #611 survives in preservation as well, although it is currently under restoration and not yet operational.

Q: Who owns Norfolk & Western #611?

A: Norfolk & Western #611 is owned by the Virginia Museum of Transportation. https://www.vmt.org/

Q; Who owns Lehigh & New England #611?

A: Lehigh & New England #611 is owned by the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society. https://riptrack.org/

Q: Which locomotive is older, Norfolk & Western #611 or Lehigh & New England #611?

Lehigh & New England #611 is older. It was built in 1948 by ALCO, while Norfolk & Western #611 was built later, in 1950 at the N&W’s Roanoke Shops. https://riptrack.org/ https://www.vmt.org/

Q: Which had a longer career, Norfolk & Western #611 or Lehigh & New England #611?

: Lehigh & New England #611 was retired from regular service after about 65 years, with very little usage at the end, while Norfolk & Western #611 was built in 1950 and retired in 1959. However, N&W #611 has operated for well over 20-years in preservation while LNE #611 has yet to run after restoration. https://riptrack.org/ https://www.vmt.org/

Q: Which is more well-known, Norfolk & Western #611 or Lehigh & New England #611?

A: Norfolk & Western #611is far more famous.

Q: Which is more historic, Norfolk & Western #611 or Lehigh & New England #611?

A: Both are historic in their own way. Norfolk & Western #611is far more famous and carries greater cultural importance than Lehigh & New England #611, standing as one of the most recognizable steam locomotives in the world. It appears frequently in rail media, attracts large crowds during excursions, and serves as a symbol of American steam excellence. By contrast, L&NE No. 611 is culturally significant mainly to the Northeastern United States and to those interested in the dieselization era, representing the everyday industrial side of railroading rather than its glamorous mainline heritage.

What is Industrial preservation?

Industrial preservation is the practice of protecting, conserving, and interpreting the physical remains and cultural significance of past industrial activities, such as factories, machinery, mines, transportation infrastructure, and even related residential or social spaces. This field is often called industrial heritage preservation and aims to safeguard buildings, equipment, sites, and landscapes that have historical, technological, architectural, or social value, reflecting the major changes brought by industrialization. Industrial preservation is important because these sites document the profound historical and societal impacts of industrialization, help communities understand their own development, and provide opportunities for education about technological progress and labor history. Preserving industrial heritage also supports local identity and can contribute to economic revitalization through tourism and adaptive reuse, as well as acknowledging both the achievements and challenges, such as environmental impacts, associated with the industrial era.

What is historic preservation?

Historic preservation is the practice of safeguarding, conserving, and maintaining buildings, structures, objects, and landscapes that reflect the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage of a community or nation. It often means restoring and protecting sites that have historical significance—whether due to their age, unique style, or association with important events or people—while allowing for adaptive reuse that keeps their original character intacThis process is important because it helps communities maintain their identity and continuity with the past, fosters local pride, supports educational and cultural initiatives, and can contribute to economic vitality through tourism and sustainable redevelopment. By protecting irreplaceable resources and using existing sites efficiently, historic preservation reduces waste, lowers environmental impacts, and can even attract investment and revitalization in local neighborhoods.

What is Railroad Preservation?

Railroad preservation is the effort to save, restore, and maintain historic railway equipment, infrastructure, and traditions so future generations can experience and learn from them. This includes restoring and operating old locomotives—steam, diesel, and electric—along with vintage passenger and freight cars. It also involves preserving historic depots, roundhouses, track, signals, and other infrastructure, as well as collecting artifacts, documents, and stories that show how railroads shaped communities and national history. Beyond physical restoration, railroad preservation focuses on education and community involvement. Museums and heritage railways teach mechanical and operational skills, keep traditional crafts alive, and offer excursion rides that recreate historic rail travel. Volunteers play a major role in maintaining equipment and hosting events, while preservation groups work with communities to save endangered sites, share history, and keep the experience of classic railroading alive as a living, hands-on heritage. The non-profit Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc (RIPS) has embarked upon the full operational restoration of Lehigh & New England Railroad #611 – one of America’s most historic diesel locomotives. Built in 1948, the locomotive celebrate it’s 75th anniversary in 2023. #611 is the last surviving intact diesel electric locomotive from the LNE, which served the coal, slate and cement regions of eastern Pennsylvania along with northwestern New Jersey and southern New York. The locomotive later worked for the Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge steel mill in Dearborn, MI and for a variety of shortlines in Ohio and Indiana.

What is the significance of Lehigh & New England Railroad #611?

Lehigh & New England #611 is so beloved because it is the last surviving intact diesel locomotive from the historic Lehigh & New England Railroad, a key railroad that served the coal, slate, and cement industries in eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York. Built in 1948 by the American Locomotive Company, #611 represents a significant era in post-World War II American railroading and is an important artifact of regional industrial history. Its preservation and ongoing restoration draw strong community interest and pride, supported by dedicated volunteers and grants from Norfolk Southern and other organizations aiming to keep this piece of railroad heritage alive and operational for special events and education. The significance of LNE #611 also lies in its direct ties to the economic history of the region, having operated in the freight yards of Pennsylvania and later served industrial roles before being saved by preservation efforts. Its restoration serves not only as a technical and historical project but also as a symbol of community heritage and industrial past, linking modern railroad enthusiasm with the legacy of the Lehigh & New England line. In summary, the locomotive's uniqueness as the last of its kind, its representation of the post-war diesel era, and its connection to the industrial history of Pennsylvania and New England make LNE #611 a cherished and beloved railroading icon.

What is the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc.?

The non-profit Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. was formed in 2021 by a group of historians interested in preserving and providing stewardship for railroad and industrial artifacts. The principles of the society bring a blend of skills required for success in the modern era: David A. Organek (professional railroader), Richard Zmijewski (financial controller, ret.) and Rob Davis (marketing executive). The group is based in southeastern Pennsylvania.

LNE No. 611 Receives $5K Berkheimer Foundation Grant - Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc.

The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. Receives $5K Berkheimer Foundation Grant

Organization Announces 2026 Restoration Priorities

Souderton, PA — May 1, 2026: The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. (RIPS) has received a $5,000 grant from the Berkheimer Foundation to advance the restoration of Lehigh & New England Railroad (LNE) diesel-electric locomotive No. 611. The locomotive, the last surviving intact LNE diesel, represents a key chapter in Pennsylvania’s anthracite, cement, and slate-belt industrial heritage.

The grant, arranged through the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc., continues the Berkheimer Foundation’s annual commitment to the No. 611 restoration effort and underscores a longstanding partnership between regional preservation organizations.

RIPS President David Organek emphasized the importance of continued philanthropic support:

“The Berkheimer Foundation’s year-over-year commitment is vital to moving No. 611 closer to operating condition and ensuring it becomes an interactive symbol of the industries that once powered the anthracite, cement, and slate-belt corridor of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.”

Based in Pen Argyl, PA, where No. 611 once served the town’s bustling railyard, the Berkheimer Foundation has deep roots in the locomotive’s home community. Foundation Treasurer Henry Sandt noted,

“No. 611 is the survivor from the LNE’s final decades and a true icon of Pen Argyl in the 1950s. Its story is inseparable from the slate-belt’s industrial identity.”

Jim Rowland, President of the Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS, echoed that sentiment:

“This locomotive is one of those rare artifacts that tangibly connects the region’s anthracite, cement, and slate legacies. The Berkheimer Foundation’s continued support, in partnership with our chapter, has been essential — predating the project’s transition to RIPS — and we all share the goal of seeing No. 611 brought back to life.”

Organek added that 2026 holds special meaning:

“This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Lehigh & New England Railroad’s final operations and the fifth anniversary of RIPS taking stewardship of No. 611. We view the Berkheimer grant as the perfect way to launch a pivotal year for both the restoration effort and for regional railroad heritage.”

Three Restoration Priorities for 2026

The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society (RIPS) has identified three major mechanical objectives for 2026 that will sustain restoration momentum and bring Lehigh & New England No. 611 measurably closer to operation. Each initiative relies on a coordinated mix of grant funding, individual donations, and skilled volunteer labor.

1. Roller-Bearing Trucks and Traction Motors

RIPS owns a set of roller-bearing trucks (wheel assemblies) currently on short-term loan to the Wilmington & Western Railroad. These assemblies will be rebuilt and paired with four traction motors that are being professionally rehabilitated by Electric Motor & Supply of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The traction motor work – funded through grants from Norfolk Southern and the Berkheimer Foundation – represents one of the most technically significant aspects of No. 611’s mechanical restoration. Once completed, the reconditioned trucks and motors will be installed beneath the locomotive, addressing a critical component of its running gear and ensuring reliable operation.

2. Completing Work on the Prime Mover

At the heart of No. 611 is a McIntosh & Seymour-designed 539T diesel engine, known as the prime mover, that drives the locomotive’s main generator, which in turn supplies electrical power to the traction motors.

RIPS volunteers have made steady progress on the inspection, repair, and reassembly of the prime mover, combining historic mechanical skills with careful documentation for authenticity. Although No. 611 will not move under its own power at this stage, finalizing prime mover work will mark a pivotal milestone on the path toward operational restoration.

3. Rebuilding or Replacing the Main Generator

The locomotive’s main generator converts mechanical energy from the prime mover into electrical current for No. 611’s traction motors and on-board systems. Due to decades of inactivity and wear, the generator now requires a complete rebuild or replacement. This is a complex and costly procedure central to the overall project’s success.

With sufficient funding, RIPS plans to initiate this critical work in 2026, ensuring the electrical systems can once again produce the power needed to move the historic locomotive under its own control.

How Individuals and Corporations Can Help

RIPS estimates at least $50,000 is required to fully fund the 2026 priorities, including mechanical work, insurance, and related operating expenses tied directly to returning No. 611 to service. Supporters can contribute in two main ways:

Donate:

Online: Secure online donations may be made at riptrack.org/donations/how-you-can-help-lehigh-new-england-611-return-to-the-rails or via Facebook.
By Mail:
Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc.
PO Box 636
Souderton, PA 18964

Volunteer:
RIPS welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, with particular need for individuals experienced in diesel mechanics, electrical systems, and welding. Those interested in contributing time and expertise can email contact@riptrack.org for more information on current opportunities, work sessions, and safety requirements.

About the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. and No. 611

The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. (RIPS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 by railroad professionals and historians committed to the preservation and public interpretation of railroad and industrial heritage.

RIPS brings together a founding leadership team with complementary expertise:

David A. Organek — Professional railroader and RIPS President
Richard Zmijewski — Retired financial controller and Treasurer
Robert John Davis — Marketing executive and Secretary

Together, they lead a growing community of volunteers, industry partners, and historians dedicated to restoring historic equipment, educating the public, and keeping the region’s industrial legacy alive through active preservation.

Lehigh & New England No. 611 is an ALCO S-2 diesel-electric switcher built in 1948 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, NY, part of a 1,502-unit production run of S-2 switchers constructed between 1940 and 1950. Ordered by the anthracite coal, cement, and slate-hauling Lehigh & New England Railroad, No. 611 served on a system that linked Maybrook, NY, with Allentown and Tamaqua, PA until the railroad’s abandonment in 1961. Much of No. 611’s first dozen years were spent within roughly 30 miles of its current home in the Kutztown–Topton, PA area.

After LNE service, the locomotive worked for Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge complex in Dearborn, MI, and later finished its industrial career at a grain mill in Emporia, Indiana. The Lehigh New England Preservation Society and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society returned No. 611 to Pennsylvania in 2016, and the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. acquired the locomotive in 2021 with the goal of full operational restoration.

For more information about RIPS, its projects, or to support the restoration of Lehigh & New England No. 611, visit riptrack.org

Media Q&A

Q: Why is No. 611 historically important?
A: Lehigh & New England No. 611 is an icon of American industrial railroading and a surviving example of legendary American Locomotive Company (Alco) S-2 diesel-electric switcher, built in 1948 at the Alco’s Schenectady, New York plant. Of the 1,502 S-2s produced between 1940 and 1950, only a fraction of them remain in any condition today, with several scrapped as recently as 2025, making No. 611 an increasingly scarce representative of the post–World War II dieselization era.

No. 611 was constructed for the anthracite coal, cement, and slate-hauling Lehigh & New England Railroad (LNE), which connected Maybrook, New York, with Allentown and Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, until the railroad’s abandonment in 1961. After LNE service the locomotive went on to work at Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge steel complex near Detroit before finishing its active career at a grain facility in Emporia, Indiana. Today, it is believed to be the last surviving intact diesel-electric locomotive from the LNE.

Q: Why does RIPS say No. 611 is the last surviving “intact” diesel-electric locomotive from the LNE?

A: When the LNE shutdown, the railroad’s diesel-electric fleet was sold to a number of railroads and brokers who dispersed the locomotives across America and for export. Over the ensuing decades, records show almost all were scrapped. However, General Electric started a program of heavily rebuilding S2 locomotives for industrial service, and many railroads took the opportunity to trade in their old units. As such, it is possible that the partial remains of an LNE S2 still exist. No. 611 is the only known complete LNE diesel.

In fact, it’s one of only two known LNE locomotives in existence at all. Steam locomotive No. 207 is the other survivor, now on display at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL.

Q: Where is No. 611 today?

A: No. 611 is currently based on the Allentown & Auburn Railroad in Berks County, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 minutes west of Allentown. The Allentown & Auburn operates as both a short-line freight carrier and a heritage railroad offering family-oriented excursion trains between Kutztown and Topton.

Q: What does the prime mover do, and what is required to repair the prime mover in No. 611?

A: The prime mover is the locomotive’s main diesel engine; in an ALCO S-2 like No. 611, the turbocharged ALCO 539T series engine drives a main generator that supplies electricity to the traction motors on the axles. Because No. 611 was retired with its prime mover intact and properly stored, restoration work focuses on methodical cleaning, detailed inspection, and replacement or rebuilding of worn components rather than a complete re-engineering.

RIPS’ goal is to have No. 611’s prime mover fully reassembled, tested, and running in 2026, establishing the mechanical foundation needed for eventual operation.

Q: What is required to repair the generator?

A: The main generator in No. 611 converts mechanical power from the prime mover into electrical energy for the traction motors and other onboard systems, and its deterioration over decades of use is the chief reason the locomotive was sidelined. Returning it to service requires a full teardown, cleaning, and overhaul (or potential replacement) by a heavy-equipment electrical specialist familiar with large generators.

Because of its size and weight, the generator must be lifted out of the locomotive by crane, transported off-site for rebuilding, and then carefully reinstalled; with sufficient funding, RIPS aims to undertake this work in 2026.

Q: What is required to finish the work on the trucks and traction motors (and what are trucks and traction motors)?

A: On a diesel-electric locomotive, each “truck” is a complete wheelset assembly that includes the axles, wheels, suspension components, and the traction motors that drive the axles. No. 611 currently rests on its original plain-bearing trucks, but RIPS has acquired upgraded roller-bearing trucks that are temporarily on loan to the Wilmington & Western Railroad in Delaware to support another locomotive move.

Traction motors are large electric motors mounted on the trucks that turn gears connected to the axles, providing the locomotive’s pulling power. While the roller-bearing trucks are on loan in Delaware, Electric Motor & Supply of Altoona, Pennsylvania is rehabilitating No. 611’s four traction motors with funding support from Norfolk Southern and the Berkheimer Foundation; once both the refurbished trucks and rebuilt motors are ready, they will be reunited and installed beneath No. 611, a milestone targeted for 2026.

Q: What is No. 611’s relevance to eastern Pennsylvania?

A: The LNE crossed the heart of slate, cement and anthracite regions in eastern Pennsylvania, becoming inextricable with mining and quarrying history. For many years in the 1950’s No. 611 served the massive Slate Belt railyard in Pen Argyl, marshalling freight cars for trips to all compass points.

The LNE’s Tamaqua Extension carried the railroad westward from the Lehigh Valley over Lehigh Gap into the anthracite coal fields around Tamaqua and Lansford, serving collieries and related industries. A short portion of this line remains active today between Tamaqua and Arlington, where a historic roundhouse still stands, underscoring the coal-era heritage that locomotives like No. 611 were built to serve.

The railroad also had branch lines to both Allentown and Bethlehem. The Bethlehem trackage is still used today as Norfolk Southern’s Cement Secondary. While some of the Allentown Branch remains, it is out of service. The ornate LNE freight house still stands at 443 Hanover Avenue in Allentown.

Q: What is the historical connection of No. 611 to northwestern New Jersey?
A: The LNE main line crossed northwestern New Jersey on its way to Maybrook, New York, interchanging with other railroads that provided gateways to the New England and New York markets. Along this route, the LNE passed beneath the famous Paulins Kill Viaduct of the Lackawanna Railroad. After the LNE shutdown in the early 1960s, No. 611 hauled scrap trains in New Jersey that lifted the very rails it had once operated over.

Q: Why is No. 611 significant to Maybrook, NY?
A: The LNE was one of six Class I railroads that served the massive freight yard at Maybrook, New York, a key interchange hub linking eastern Pennsylvania with New England. Through Maybrook, LNE trains moved tons of anthracite coal, cement, and other commodities from Pennsylvania industries to broader regional and national markets.

Q: Why is No. 611 considered to have a legacy in the automobile industry of Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan?
A: After its LNE career ended, No. 611 was sold to Ford Motor Company and assigned to the sprawling River Rouge steel and manufacturing complex in Dearborn, Michigan, where it worked for decades as an industrial switcher. In that role, No. 611 moved raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods that fed Ford’s automotive production lines, linking the locomotive not only to railroad history but also to the story of American car manufacturing in the mid- to late-20th century.