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N&W 611 to run again?

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    N&W 611 to run again?

    Just got the following email... all hear say until I see it in print from NS themselves...

    >Norfolk and Western 611 scheduled to hit the road
    >November 15, 2009
    >
    >In the recent decline in rail movement the Norfolk and Southern rail road
    >board of directors has made a surprise announcement. That the 4-8-4 steam
    >locomotive will be serviced and brought back for a executive tour of the
    >line stopping along the way at major cities to promote rail service. It
    >is not clear yet when this tour will occur or any of the details of where
    >the
    >locomotive will be shipped to be worked on. When contacted Donald W.
    >Seale the Chief Marketing Officer declined any comment on the matter only
    >adding to the mystery of when the tour will commence. Currently the steam
    >locomotive #611 is on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation,
    >it is a wonder of when they will sneek this massive locomotive out to
    >service its old rusted parts.
    >As one of the last, most prominent, and most distinctive locomotives
    >assembled in Roanoke, the 611 often serves as a symbol for Roanoke and its
    >railroad history. The 611 is also depicted on the Commonwealth of
    >Virginia's "Railway Heritage" license plate.
    >
    >The executives of NS determined to terminate the steam program, due to
    >rising insurance costs, increasing cost of maintenance, and a high system
    >capacity. The last steam excursion was on December 3 from Birmingham,
    >Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee and back, pulled by 611. The next day
    >611 set off on a three-day trek home to Roanoke. 611's last official day
    >of being under steam was December 7, 1994, the 53rd anniversary of Pearl
    >Harbor Day.
    >Between Salisbury, North Carolina and Roanoke, 611 displayed black flags
    >on the run. That evening, upon arrival at Schaffers Crossing in Roanoke,
    >its fire was dumped for the last time.
    >
    >
    >--
    >Raymond E. Grabowski, Jr.
    >Erie, Pennsylvania
    >
    >"Though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and
    >heaven, that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts made
    >weak by time and fate but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and
    >not to yield." Alfred, Lord Tennyson
    Cheers,

    -Jason Underwood
    http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...2014/siggy.jpg

    #2
    On a side note, most of this was copy pasted from Wikipedia. The history atleast.

    Im still calling this a hoax but...

    there was a rumor I heard a few months back, that NS is funding the TVRM 4501 restoration in hope of being able to use it on special trains.
    Cheers,

    -Jason Underwood
    http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...2014/siggy.jpg

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      #3
      Hmm, I'm doubting this. Mainly because of the high insurance cost, the fact that they would have to get 611 compliant with FRA form 4. Which could cost a few million dollars. Also, didn't they shut down the Birmingham, AL shop and sold off all the equipment that was used to rebuild 611 back in the 80s? Where are they going to send her now?
      Sean Summer
      CEO of Blue Ridge Mountains Machine works.

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        #4
        Wish it would run again, I remember seeing it a couple of times when they ran it along the columbus district, in ohio years ago. But on a side note NS does some very strange things. Wick from what I have heard likes his trains. Which would probably explain the southern 4610 unit.
        M. Payne

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          #5
          The steam program ended in 94 when 611 made it's last trip,

          Birmingham's norris yard was opened in october 1952 & the "steam shops" were originally designed for heavy diesel repairs & southern converted 3 out of 6 bays to service the steam program . The shop is still standing but used for diesel running repairs.

          "One interesting thing is there never was a turntable since it was designed as a diesel only shop, the steamers had to be turned on a "Y" approx five miles away from the yard.

          The first photo below shows the front of the shops taken from the parking lot & the second shows a shop overview
          Attached Files
          Last edited by bs rr co; 11-19-2009, 01:19.
          sigpic

          Comment


            #6
            Welcome to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, where we explore travel of people and the transport of goods throughout history . Our museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich transportation heritage of Virginia, including trains, planes, and automobiles. From famous steam locomotives to our collection of vintage cars and buses, there is something for everyone to explore and learn about. Come visit us today and experience the wonder of transportation!


            (I know this is an old thread, but still.)

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