N&W No. 611 returns to North Carolina Transportation Museum. The famed 4-8-4 will
be featured in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 events.
After a successful two-month run at the Strasburg Rail Road, the Norfolk & Western Class J locomotive No. 611 will travel to Spencer N. C. to the North Carolina Transportation Museum where the No. 611 will participate in special events including locomotive tours, “At the Throttle,” “Jump Seat Cab Rides,” and others this Fall and through the Spring.
N&W 611 rests at the depot at the N.C. Transportation Museum-Tracey Green 9/01/18
Changes in the rail industry have forced a shift from mainline excursions to tourist and museum rail operations. Museums and private rail operators in the industry are looking at options for continuing operations and remain hopeful for the future in bringing back the rides to the rail community.
While the Museum remains optimistic that local excursions may be in the future, the locomotive restoration was a significant investment by the Museum; funded by loyal fans and Museum members. On-going maintenance and annual safety inspections are imperative to its operation, and are expensive; but the most important operational priority is to keep the No. 611 active. The VMT is most appreciative to work with the management of the Strasburg Rail Road and the North Carolina Transportation Museum in supporting this effort.
Museum board member Brian Barton said, “Since its restoration, the Virginia Museum of Transportation has sought opportunities for the 611 to engage people from all walks of life. We have a long relationship with Spencer, whose shops worked so diligently in 2014 to help restore the locomotive, and we are excited to have the opportunity to return the 611 to North Carolina to share its engineering legacy and history.”
“Norfolk Southern continues to play an instrumental role in the 611.” Barton said, “They facilitated the No. 611 to Strasburg, and without the support from Norfolk Southern, the VMT would not be allowed to get the locomotive to special events like in Spencer.”
Tickets, which range from $10 to $611, depending on the event, are available at the NCTM website beginning Thursday, September 19th.
About the Virginia Museum of Transportation: The mission of the Virginia Museum of Transportation is to advance all modes of transportation across the Commonwealth, to celebrate and preserve the hard work and ingenuity of generations past, and to inspire current and future generations to value this industry which is essential to Virginia’s history,culture, and economic growth.
Specific information can be viewed at https://www.nctrans.org/
Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc. 303 Norfolk Ave. SW
Roanoke, Virginia 24016 540-342-5670 www.vmt.org
