Emerging from the Blue Ridge Tunnel

“Emerging from the Blue Ridge Tunnel” was taken near Afton, Virginia in June 2026. The Norfolk and Western J Class 611 is coming out of the Blue Ridge Tunnel on the Buckingham Branch short line. The tunnel was built in 1944 to replace the original adjacent tunnel. The 611 steam engine is celebrating America’s 250th with a special vinyl wrap,. The design was inspired by the concept artwork for the 1976 Bicentennial Freedom Train, but was never chosen. The ten stars represent Virginia being the 10th state.