> The 3751 was approached as well but of
> course she is apart all over the ground
> right now. I wonder how many other big
> steamers were looked at before the 611 was
> picked.

Add SP&S 700 to the list of looked at locos. Like 3751, we have the 700 in a number of pieces - replacing valve bushings, rebuilding valves, rebuilding several appliances, etc. No way to pull her back and forth.


johnpcox@juno.com

The integrity of the
> advertisement is what I question. If MB
> can't afford the real thing what is their
> philosophy of manufacturing like under all
> that glitz.

But GE, that the nature and purpose of advertising. Markets can be manipulated through the use of imagery to create an emotional response in consumers and shift the demand curve in a certain direction. MB wouldn't sell many cars if they told prospective buyers about repair costs.

If driving MB was comparable to driving 611 I would sell my house and get one tomorrow.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> If driving MB was comparable to driving 611
> I would sell my house and get one tomorrow.
But Dave, Then you have to meet FRA regs ! :o)

I guess the ultimate would be a corporate sponsership of 611. I think MB really missed a chance for a "media event" by not steaming her up for say a weekend and making a big fuss about it. Speaking as a total outsider, maybe this was all discussed, and I can't imagine it breaking the bank, but it's still a shame!



lamontdc@adelphia.net

Well, as I said on the Chaski board, if the commercial is a big hit, it just might lead Mercedes to pay for her restoration. As everyone else did, my first reaction was to feel sad. My wife and I road behind her on her inaugural trip in excursion service. But it is an immediate infusion of cash for the Virginia Museum of Transportation. And that is a win no matter what the circumstances. I just hope they will adopt her as a mascot. It just might open the eyes of a few people in Norfolk. Precision Transportation both on the rails and on the road. Makes perfect sense to me.

When she was retired in the middle of the baseball strike, I couldn't feel sorry for the base ball fans, because I knew that they would see baseball again years before I ever again see 611 in steam. I told a couple of them, that it was about the same thing to me as the Orioles being disbanded. It wasn't the end of the world. I'm still in good health, and I am still married to the same wonderful lady. However, the quality of life just hasn't been the same since.

B&O Railroad Museum
kevingillespie@usa.net

> If they were doing it
> as a Super Bowl tv spot, they might have
> spent millions
> and restored the 611 to operation.

Exactly! There are all kinds of money out there for advertising. Money (believe it or not) is not in short supply. It is a matter of making it worthwhile for the controller of the cash to part with it for some purpose which will benefit them. Your example of the Superbowl is right on target. If locomotives can be seen to represent some image or commercial value to the right sponsor, you would see the dollars bolt into restoration. Corporate sponsorship is one thing; private sponsorship is another. Look at Dennis Tito giving the Russian $20 million dollars to fly him to the ISS for several days. $20 million dollar could restore at least 20 park locos. It's all in the "touch". Who wants to use them and why. IF Bill Gates wanted to have a "Big Boy" haul a trainload of "The Big Boy Software" around the nation, the check would be written in seconds. (Bill, are you listening?)

glueck@saturn.caps.maine.edu

Exactly...so anytime one of these precious pieces of history is brought into the public eye, it can only present new possibilities that might otherwise not have come to light.

After the Mercedes/611 ad is out there for all to see, someone, somewhere is going to get interested and want to know more...at the very minimum.

GMill@earthlink.net

I say any legal way that a preservation group can earn some money without compermising their property and prostituting themselves deserves to be commended. It would take a lot of people walking past the fare box to put that kind on money in the till.

Three Cheers for the folks in Roanoke. I am sure the money will go a long way.



v-scarpitti@worldnet.att.net

> Sad? Not in my book. I will gladly fire up
> GOAT and run her all week for $10,000.00.

>Dave

Ditto, Dave. Anyone at BMW interested in paying the same amount for a shot against a 3" Gauge
2-4-0 Porter?

TJG



Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Right on Angie, I think the exposure is great and so is the money.

I wish it was for a TV commercial with real motion. Wouldnt that be great exposure to see the mercedes chasing the 611 in all her glory! I bet if a commercial like that did happen there might be a push by the general public to bring her back.

What blows my mind in that NS doesnt use 611 for their own PR. I remember there TV commercials with the computer generated black horse running on the rails, I think the 611 belongs there!
They already have a real black thoroughbred, why dont they use it, instead they pretend she isnt there.... blows my mind.

Alan

adofmsu@aol.com

They probably think using a steam locomotive as their mascot, sends the "wrong message" to their potential customers. They're foolish to believe this of course.
Just look at the icon Budweiser has become, using a horse-drawn beer wagon, and revelling in their own corporate history.


GMill@earthlink.net

The only model left at this point is the Union Pacific. I have never seen non railfans think the UP is not a modern transportation company after seeing one of ther steam excursions.

It will be interesting to see how Canadian Pacific's new heritage program goes after a couple of years.

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

> Believe me, I have no ojection to the museum
> getting the money! The integrity of the
> advertisement is what I question.
integrity.....advertising... Can you use those words in the same sentence without breaking into laughter???? hee hee hee, guffaw, guffaw, snicker snicker, snort....

At least the 611 will be getting some more exposure to the non-railfan world (unless they digitally change her number, or call her an "Amtrack" engine)......

Walter

hoffmannwj@nswccd.navy.mil