The old N&W 2-track lubritorium is still standing, and apparently in use at Portsmouth, OH. I spent quite a few late nights in that one as a pit foreman back in 1983.

Are there any others? It'd be pretty cool if they could actually salvage one and move it to the museum, but I imagine new construction will much simpler and probably cheaper. At least there's one good example to go by, and if the locomotive plans are any indication, I'm sure someone has detailed construction plans for every lubritorium type built.

I think there was one in Williamson, WV. Not certain if it is still around.
Lois

VMT, after many years of evolution, is now a very professionally run museum, although one that is lean & mean. Professionally run museums don't announce fundraising campaigns like this one unless a significant amount of the money is already pledged or received. I don't see this taking years to come about. If it is going to happen, it will happen fairly fast

Sometimes, you just have to have faith in people to do their job. This isn't a cast of clowns here; the list of people involved has the acumen necessary to get this done. As Andy Reid would say...."guys, c'mon. Just enjoy the win."

It sure looks hopeful, and I think VMT will be able to get it done. With a team of knowledgeable experts who know 611, paid staff members, and many volunteers I think we will see 611 on the road in the very near future. Congrats VMT and good luck!

I'd like to learn more about VMT's recent history, but I believe they represent exactly the kind of professionally-run private non-profit our organizations should aspire to emulate. They are playing the right game and have forged beneficial partnerships with other non-profits, the industry, and local governments.

Basically, they appear to be running their museum in exactly the same manner of other successful, mainstream, private non-profit museums.

I suspect we could all learn a lot.

I agree, they've made a remarkable turn around the past several years. I like how they have formed partnerships with other groups, such as the NRHS chapter. Other museums would view such groups as "the competition" instead of partners.

Our competition is other kinds of entertainment, not each other........but that doesn't mean we can't share marketing as a partner in a bundle of attractions in a given area. If enough critical mass of attractions locates in proximity we create a destination in which we strengthen each other and feed off each others audiences for mutual benefit.

I don't know off the top of my head what Roanoke has in terms of attractions apart from rail related venues. The fact that nothing comes to mind......means that Roanoke isn't branding itself successfully as a popular destination for tourists by itself. It's located pretty conveniently between other destinations, which means a little diversion can be made for those who are drawn specifically to railroad related attractions - but that audience will go anywhere whether it's convenient or not to feed the addiction.

Managing business is managing relationships. I'm very pleased to see they are successfully heading in that direction.

dave