HI folks: I had alittle time today in Roanoke Va to see the old Norfolk and Western Museum and the Virginia Tranportation Museum. If you ever get down that way - it's a must see stop - see the pictures, all the best, Mark In Cleveland.
Thanks, Mark, nice photos. I like the decorations on 611, but the wreath looks sort of comic. It reminds me of an old comic book character, but I can't recall which one......? Merry Christmas.......!
Yes indeed, thanks, Mark. It's good to see some shelter over those locomotives. Last time I was there in '93 they were out in the open and the 611 was out running on the NS. The 763 looks like she could use a little more TLC. Is that the 1218 on the far side of the 611? :confused2:
Kind of a shame to see those two old girls put out to pasture like that. Seeing them brings back a lot of memories.
Nice shots. I took some pictures from there myself a little over a year ago: This absolutely is a must see. There's a busy Norfolk Southern mainline in the back yard as well. And the folks running the museum are friendly and helpful.
Be still my heart! The way the sun and shadows fall on your shot of the 611 evokes memories of New York Central Hudsons 5426 and 5429 dolled up for the Empire State Express. They have done some cosmetic restoration of that crane, too. It was in tough looking shape back in '93. Thanks for the photos. :teeth:
611 was in very good conditon when donated (~10 months after her last run). NS had prepped her for storage after her last run. 1218 was undergoing major repair (boiler overhual IIRC) and was in pieces when NS dropped the steam program. She was moved to the East End locomotive shop and sat there in pieces until cosmetically resoted and donated to the VMT.
From what I understand most of the tubes were pulled from the boiler to be replaced when the plug was pulled on the program. I heard they never were replaced so it is basically an empty shell. On the outside at least one of the piston rods was missing as I recall.
