This is from the ASLRRA afternoon report:

December 4, 2008 Thursday 2:10 PM GMT

$1 Million Challenge: Funds Sought for Va. Museum

ROANOKE Va. (AP) - Norfolk Southern has issued a $1 million challenge to the Roanoke community.

The railroad is offering to donate that amount to the struggling Virginia Museum of Transportation if the community raises another $2 million.

Norfolk Southern Chairman Wick Moorman announced the challenge Tuesday night during a speech to the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Following Moorman’s announcement, Roanoke Mayor David Bowers asked City Council to pledge between $500,000 and $1 million to the museum.

The museum has struggled in recent years and in January 2007 agreed to sell one of its steam locomotives to help with expenses.

Museum Executive Director Bev Fitzpatrick says he and representatives of two historical railroad societies will meet with Moorman on Friday.

Truly a wonderful donation on Norfolk-Southern's part, particularly in such poor economic times. I'm curious as to how much they invested in the steam program on an annual basis, while it was in it's hey-day.
Let's hope Roanoke can make the grade on this challenge!