Positive news for Virginia Museum of Transportation.

co614 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:26 am

Yes, 614 did commence her journey to Roanoke last evening, moving from Port Clinton,Pa. to the NS interchange track in Reading,Pa.

NS will now move her south to Roanoke traffic and crews permitting.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone on the Reading&Northern RR team ( especially Andy Muller,CEO and Tyler Glass,VP-Ops.) for being such gracious hosts in providing her a safe home for her hiatus and for their assistance in getting her prepared for this move.

Also, profound thanks to the Norfolk Southern Corp. for contributing this move as another way of their showing their support for the VMT and for for celebrating steams proud part in the history of American railroading.

I would ask any fellow railfans who intend to witness/photograph her move south to stay on public property and to please mind your manners.

The Facebook site mentioned is the product of railfan Leonard Shaner and not in any way connected to the Greenbrier Express Company. I will ask Leonard to make that clear immediately.

Thanks, Ross Rowland, President&CEO
Greenbrier Express Company, Inc.

sbhunterca · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:58 am **Posts:** 728

Best of luck with the move, Ross. You must be very happy to have her once again in the public eye- and rolling on the high iron again, if only in tow.

I wonder how many people will do a double- take as she rolls past!

Steve Hunter
Cardinal, Ontario

kline2102 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:41 am **Posts:** 12

I should have Video from the Reading & Northern portion of the move on by tonight! She sure looked great even in tow!

-Daulph kline

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:04 pm

Best wishes and good luck to you and 614, Ross. You must be bursting with plans for her hitting the rails once again. I'm certain I can speak for everyone in saying, we're happy to have her back.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:19 pm

I received this link with photos of 614 enroute!

http://banksphotography.net/Gallery/thu ... hp?album=6

Not my shots.

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:37 pm

Latest reports have 614 as far as Hagerstown. With any luck she'll be in Roanoke tomorrow. VMT is posting updates on their Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/VA.Museum.Transportation

nasaracer32 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:41 pm

Gary Gray wrote:

Latest reports have 614 as far as Hagerstown.

Hey Gary, you will probably know the answer to this and I am not close to my books to look it up, but how do the axle loadings of the 614 compare to those of the 611? I ask because I was always under the impression that a J could make it as far north as Glasgow/Balcony Falls, but couldn't go any further north due to their weight.

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:43 pm

nasaracer32 wrote:

Gary Gray wrote:

Latest reports have 614 as far as Hagerstown.

Hey Gary, you will probably know the answer to this and I am not close to my books to look it up, but how do the axle loadings of the 614 compare to those of the 611? I ask because I was always under the impression that a J could make it as far north as Glasgow/Balcony Falls, but couldn't go any further north due to their weight.

Will, 611's weight on drivers is only about 3000 lbs. heavier than 614. Bear in mind that that weight restriction is over 15 years old, before freight cars got as heavy as they are now. The latest word I have is that 614 left Hagerstown around 6 pm, with a 25mph speed restriction and some northbound traffic to deal with. Supposedly she is coming straight down the Valley. I talked to Scott about an hour ago, he is anticipating arrival in Roanoke somewhere between 6 AM and Noon tomorrow.

BIG JOHN · **Posted:** Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:03 pm

theres a short night video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSMXLXkt2Vo

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:15 pm

I'm pleased to report that 614 arrived safely in Roanoke at 10:31 am est today after an extremely smooth, trouble free move.

Many thanks to everyone on the NS team for a great job and to all the fans along the way who behaved so well.

Please check the ...www.vmt.org....site from time to time for future announcements.

Thank you,

Ross Rowland

Bob Lyndall · **Posted:** Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:32 pm

Right you are Ross, she moved into town today with ease. I was out participating in one
of my favorite activities for a change and caught her at several points from Natural Bridge Station to Lithia Springs to Troutville and then on into town. Below is a twelve frame animation (2 seconds per frame) of what I caught. Unfortunately, T-Shirt sales were not so good today! Note: the animation file is nearly 3mbs. If you are not on a high-speed connection, it may take a few moments to load.

Steven Ashley · **Posted:** Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:57 pm

Wonderful photos Bob. It is great to see steam on the N&W again, even if only dead-in-tow. Glad to hear the 614's trip to Roanoke went well. It is too bad she is only going to be at the VMT for two months before moving on to Clifton Forge.

co614 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:53 am

Thanks Bob for the great photos.

614 will be spending some time in the East End shops getting cleaned&polished preparatory for he stint on display at the VMT commencing on 2/12/11.

The East End shops are a restricted area so please do not attempt to enter there as access is limited to folks on railroad business.

Please check the ......www.vmt.org.....site from time to time for further announcements.

Thanks again to everyone on the NS team who did such a great job getting her there swiftly and trouble free.

Ross Rowland

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 12:30 pm

Yes, indeed, thanks to NS for its consideration, professionalism, and appreciation of history, and I must also add thanks to Ross Rowland, for demonstrating that steam in a modern context can be trouble-free and fit right in with today's railroading.

Now, if only we could convince some people on 614's "natural" railroad. . .sigh. . .

kline2102 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:41 am **Posts:** 12

My Video From the Reading & Northern and start of the NS move from Wednesday January 12th and Thursday January 13th 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZzomIp2wDY