Any new news on NW 611? Last I heard, all the money is now in place (thanks to a 1.5M donation from NS) and she was to be scheduled to be moved to Spencer, NC facilities for the restoration. Anybody got anything more? Like when that move will be? How? Etc. Dean
It would sure be wonderful to see 611 run again for the third time. I can still remember seeing it back in regular service in the 1940s and 50s, and then again in excursion service. Beautiful locomotive.
Museums reach agreement on No. 611 restoration, fundraising continues Published: March 24, 2014 ROANOKE, Va. — The Virginia Museum of Transportation’s board of directors and the Fire Up 611! committee have reached an agreement with the North Carolina Transportation Museum & Foundation in Spencer, N.C., to house Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 during its restoration. After the restoration is complete, No. 611 will steam back to its home at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. “Like us, the North Carolina Transportation Museum strives to preserve and showcase our rail heritage,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. “We can’t think of a better venue to host the Class J 611 during her much anticipated restoration.” One of the largest buildings on the North Carolina Transportation Museum campus is the 37-stall Bob Julian Roundhouse, built in 1924 and one of the biggest surviving steam era roundhouses left in North America. Its 100-foot turntable and restoration shop are capable of handling a locomotive the size of No. 611. The museum, located on 57 acres, encompasses 13 historic shop buildings that were part of Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive shop, which dates to 1896. “The North Carolina Transportation Museum is honored at the opportunity to partner with the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Fire Up 611 Committee to provide a location for the restoration of this iconic locomotive,” says Steve Mersch, foundation president. “Speaking on behalf of the museum and foundation employees, volunteers and the local community we are all very excited that once again [the] historic Spencer shops will house the repair of a mainline steam locomotive just as it did in decades past.” No date has been set for No. 611 to move to North Carolina. Before it can move, VMT must raise the $3.5 million it will take to restore the locomotive and build a preservation and education facility. The organization would like to raise an additional $1.5 million during the rebuild to setup an endowment for future operation, bringing the total fundraising goal to $5 million. To date, the organization has raised about $2.3 million. Donations have poured in from every U.S. state and 18 countries. Once the funds are raised, No. 611 will be moved dead-in-tow to the North Carolina museum. The locomotive will then undergo its first-ever 1,472-day inspection and receive repairs. The process is expected to take six to nine months. After repairs are made, the locomotive will steam back to Roanoke. For more information on the Fire Up 611! initiative, go tofireup611.org.
Thanks for posting Terry! I have read recently as well that they have now exceeded the fund raising goal and are supposed to have the money to restore 611, build the necessary buildings to house and maintain her and have an operational fund as well. Not sure why this article is saying they need more money at this time unless what I read was incorrect. As I stated in my first post, Norfolk Southern donated 1.5 million to the cause and it was my understanding that that donation sent the fundraising over the top. Well, either way, this is all good news! Spencer is only about 4 hours from me and I plan to see her there if they will allow visitors during her "hospital" stay! Dean
