Advanced Approach Photography

Advanced Approach Photography Railroad photography based out of Roanoke, Va

N&W Class J 611 steams through the Shenandoah Valley countryside donning a commemorative wrap to celebrate America’s 250...
06/06/2026

N&W Class J 611 steams through the Shenandoah Valley countryside donning a commemorative wrap to celebrate America’s 250th birthday as it brings Tuesday’s test run through Chiles Peach Orchard near Jarmon’s Gap.

Photo taken at approved location with permission of , friendly reminder to not walk down the right of way and not to trespass on railroad or private property! Excursions start next weekend and tickets are still on sale at https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/ for all four weekends of excursions!
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N&W Class J 611 hustles its way east amongst a beautiful mountain backdrop as it nears the town of Crozet on an absolute...
06/04/2026

N&W Class J 611 hustles its way east amongst a beautiful mountain backdrop as it nears the town of Crozet on an absolutely gorgeous late spring morning. This run was a non-publicized run to check clearances in several places along the line and get ready for a Summer of Steam.

Excursions start next weekend and tickets are still on sale at https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/ for all four weekends of excursions!
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Norfolk & Western 611 made its triumphant return to mainline steam yesterday as it made a test run between Fishersville ...
06/03/2026

Norfolk & Western 611 made its triumphant return to mainline steam yesterday as it made a test run between Fishersville and Gordonsville to check clearance in several places along the line. Here, 611 blasts out of the famous Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton as it nears the crest of the grade. To my knowledge, this was the first time 611 had passed through a tunnel under its own power since the last time it ran excursions on Norfolk Southern in the late 2010s.

Four weekends of public excursions are coming up, with the first one being Friday June 12th! Buy your tickets on ‘s website and get ready for outstanding experiences out of Staunton and Louisa!
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The cat’s out of the bag! To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Norfolk & Western 611 will be dressed up in a patrioti...
05/30/2026

The cat’s out of the bag! To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Norfolk & Western 611 will be dressed up in a patriotic Red, White, and Blue scheme inspired by the American Freedom Train drawings from 1973 for the summer excursions along the Virginia Scenic Railway!

This was all made possible by and the hard work of the 611 crew, , , and . I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the 611 Crew as the photographer, and am absolutely stoked for the upcoming excursion season!

Buy your tickets on ‘s website and get ready for four weekends of outstanding experiences out of Staunton and Louisa!
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On May 29th, 1950, N&W Class J 611 rolled out of the Roanoke Shops for the first time, beginning the life one the most s...
05/29/2026

On May 29th, 1950, N&W Class J 611 rolled out of the Roanoke Shops for the first time, beginning the life one the most storied steam locomotives in existence. Today, 76 years later, the 611 Steam and mechanical crew has been hard at work preparing the locomotive for 4 weeks of excursions out of Staunton and Louisa. I am super excited to be a part of the crew as the photographer and cannot wait for what is to come in the coming weeks. To celebrate 76 years of 611, here are some of my favorite photos from the past few years of excursions along the BB.
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Eastbound manifest NS 118 is making up for lost time as the Canadian Pacific lead engine finds a sunspot in Wabun, VA wi...
05/17/2026

Eastbound manifest NS 118 is making up for lost time as the Canadian Pacific lead engine finds a sunspot in Wabun, VA with a friendly wave from my good friend in the conductor’s seat.
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Southbound manifest NS M5T is on the home stretch into Roanoke as it soars across the high trestle in Troutville with No...
05/14/2026

Southbound manifest NS M5T is on the home stretch into Roanoke as it soars across the high trestle in Troutville with Norfolk Southern’s Reading Railroad heritage unit leading.
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Norfolk Southern’s Reading Railroad heritage unit hustles manifest train NS M5T through Arcadia as a spring storm rolls ...
04/29/2026

Norfolk Southern’s Reading Railroad heritage unit hustles manifest train NS M5T through Arcadia as a spring storm rolls over the mountains.
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As the last few rain drops of a spring storm fall on the small community of Lithia, southbound mixed freight NS M5T hust...
04/28/2026

As the last few rain drops of a spring storm fall on the small community of Lithia, southbound mixed freight NS M5T hustles past the N&W-era CPL bracket at CP Ellis Run with the Reading heritage unit leading.
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Southbound manifest train NS M5T scoots through the hometown of 2008 World Series Champion Phillies manager Charlie Manu...
04/27/2026

Southbound manifest train NS M5T scoots through the hometown of 2008 World Series Champion Phillies manager Charlie Manuel with the Reading heritage unit out in front.
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