The "J" and the "A" are leaving VMT...

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Three steam locomotives in just as many months on the move around in Roanoke...

From the VMT Blog:

Quote:

Norfolk Southern is hosting an open house at its Roanoke Shops on September 8th. The term "open house" is a misnomer as the event is open by invitation only. Nonetheless, the open house at the shops is a big deal, and to emphasize it, #611 and #1218 may be making an appearance.

http://vmtmusings.blogspot.com/2007/08/sight-not-seen-in-some-time.html

From the NewsWire:

Quote:

ROANOKE, Va. - This Saturday, Sept. 8, marks the 125th anniversary of the Roanoke Shops, and to mark the occasion, Norfolk Southern is moving two steam locomotives to the shops for display: N&W J Class 4-8-4 No. 611 and Class A 2-6-6-4 No. 1218. Both were stars of Norfolk Southern's steam program and were constructed at the shops in 1950 and 1943, respectively. Following the end of the NS steam program in 1994, the 611 was returned to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, followed a few years later by No. 1218.

According to Bev Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, NS is moving both locomotives out of the museum as early as today. NS plans on putting No. 611 on the turntable for display Saturday with No. 1218 nearby. [Not to mention NKP 763...] Bringing the two steam locomotives to the shops represents yet another move by the company to embrace its history since the naming of Charles (Wick) Moorman as NS President, Chairman, and CEO. Moorman addressed the National Convention of the National Railway Historical Society last month. Earlier this year the railroad acquired a set of streamlined F units to pull the NS business train and painted them in a scheme similar to that of NS predecessor Southern Railway.

Mainstream preservation and recognition of history. It warms the heart.

Respectfully submitted,

KL

rbarcus · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:16 pm

Can we dream that two of my favorite steamers will one day return to service???

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:27 pm

I'd be interested to see transcripts of all the NRHS convention speeches, even from years past. Anybody?

Joshua

Dave Stephenson · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:11 am

611 and 1218 were moved to the shop area last night. Saw several photos of 611 being moved to the turntable about 8pm Tues. They were posted on the NWHS discussion board this AM. Looked just like old times!

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:14 am

Where might we find this NWHS board?

Joshua

Dave Stephenson · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:44 am

I tried to copy the link, but it doesn't work. It's a subscriber forum so the link is just an e-mail address. Probably just my computer ignorance. I'm sure some photos will turn up shortly. They were taken last night by Sam Putney. He said 611 was moved into the shop area was between 7:30 and 8:00 PM yesterday. 1218 was moved after dark. That's the best I can do at this point.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:17 pm

I attended an industry/academic conference in Washington DC in the spring of 2006, and Wick gave a speech on productivity issues. In the opening to audience questions, he jokingly said "No, we are not bringing back the steam program."

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:10 pm

Thanks for trying Dave- here's one!

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 282&nseq=9

Joshua

Stephen S. Syfrett · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:48 pm

Let's see if this works:

http://www.nwhs.org/qna/J611Move.html

Howard P. · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:08 pm

What's the story with that caboose and the Alco switcher lurking in the background?

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:12 am

I drove by the shops last night on the way out to dinner. 1218 is sitting off the east side of the turntable with the "A tank" (N&W-ese for auxiliary tender) attached. 763 is on the west side of the table under the I-581 bridge. The caboose is probably one of the ones used on local shifter jobs. The "lurking" Alco switcher is Roanoke Chapter NRHS's T-6, ex N&W 41, nee CW 11. The latest word is that they are bringing over the Roanoke Chapter's GP30, N&W 522, also. I attended this event several times in the past as a vendor when I was in industrial sales. It's a shame that it isn't open to the public this year, but it's easy to understand the safety concerns.

gtcivil · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:01 am

Well Nick Saban wasn't even remotely interested in being the Head Coach at Alabama either....

Justin Franz · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:32 pm

Has anyone found any pictures of the event? Has to be something out there.

-Justin

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 484

http://www.nwhs.org/qna/J611Move.html

Very nice shots.

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948