611 is supposed to start firing up tomorrow and leave at 7:00am Friday according the the local NBC news.
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Leave for where? Excursions on NS aren't until April.
For Spencer. Being fired up doesn't necessarily mean excursions.
Any word on the route? I heard it might go via the ex-Virginian line instead of the ex-N&W over Blue Ridge via Lynchburg.
As Kelly mentioned, back to Spencer, NC for winter maintenance and I would assume that it will be going back down the Virginian as it is the more direct route.
If you guys get the snow they're calling for, it may make for some great pictures.
Big Jim posted:As Kelly mentioned, back to Spencer, NC for winter maintenance and I would assume that it will be going back down the Virginian as it is the more direct route.
I know, but it wouldn't be the first time they routed it through Lynchburg on a ferry move to Spencer.
Perhaps they will remove the "Spirit of Roanoke" from the cab as many people believe it's an insult to all rest of the N&W employees who helped build the railroad and 611supporters. I know it bothers me and many of my friends.
VGN64 posted:Perhaps they will remove the "Spirit of Roanoke" from the cab as many people believe it's an insult to all rest of the N&W employees who helped build the railroad and 611supporters. I know it bothers me and many of my friends.
Good Lord... Exactly WHERE was the 611 built...
...and is it not a living tribute to those that designed and built her?
Rusty
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VGN64 posted:Perhaps they will remove the "Spirit of Roanoke" from the cab as many people believe it's an insult to all rest of the N&W employees who helped build the railroad and 611 supporters. I know it bothers me and many of my friends.
I agree with this as the 611 did not wear that "Spirit of Roanoke" lettering while in revenue service. That said it is also true none of my money supports the operation of 611 either so if the owners want to paint it bright pink with a neon purple stripe nothing we can do about it other than shake our head in disbelief... 
So taken that way the "Spirit of Roanoke" lettering isn't so bad and I recall it is on there as a magnetic sign so it can be removed for photo opportunities if desired.
I got to watch some of it this morning online via Twitter (they were doing some live streaming via Periscope from a couple cars back). It was neat to be with it live as it was running, and on some curves you got to see the J (otherwise you heard that great chuffing and saw the great plumes of smoke!)
As for the "Spirit of Roanoke" nameplate, it reminds me of my recent reading about British steam locomotives. Someone purchased one of the 9F Class 2-10-0 engines and named her "Black Prince", which got a lot of scorn because only one of the engines was ever named ("Evening Star") and the others were nameless. The owner added the name on his own.
In this case, N&W was based out of Roanoke for almost all of it's life, so I honestly don't know why it would be an insult to those who worked for the N&W. That's where the engine was built, that's where the railroad had home base. Plus, I think it's a nice way to honor the history of a proud railroad!
I'm not a fan of the "Spirit of Roanoke" on the cab either but she is operating and that is what matters. I'm sure there are just as many folks out there that like it or for that matter don't even notice it and VMT wants it there so it's going to be there. In any case it's better than her sitting there cold.
VGN64 posted:Perhaps they will remove the "Spirit of Roanoke" from the cab as many people believe it's an insult to all rest of the N&W employees who helped build the railroad and 611supporters. I know it bothers me and many of my friends.
645 posted:I agree with this as the 611 did not wear that "Spirit of Roanoke" lettering while in revenue service. That said it is also true none of my money supports the operation of 611 either so if the owners want to paint it bright pink with a neon purple stripe nothing we can do about it other than shake our head in disbelief...
Good grief!
Some of you guys would complain if someone gave you $1 million in $50 bills because it was too heavy to carry.
Here's an operable steam locomotive in January of 2017 running on a Class 1 railroad in the dead of winter and you guys want to complain about a sign that can't even be seen in 99% of the pictures taken of this locomotive anyway? And even if you can see it...so what?
How do you think this makes NS management and the 611 crew feel when they see this kind of silliness posted about their herculean efforts? Is it no wonder that steam locomotive operators often hold railfans in such contempt?
Railfans can be one of the most self-destructive groups of people I have ever known. 
645 posted:VGN64 posted:Perhaps they will remove the "Spirit of Roanoke" from the cab as many people believe it's an insult to all rest of the N&W employees who helped build the railroad and 611 supporters. I know it bothers me and many of my friends.
I agree with this as the 611 did not wear that "Spirit of Roanoke" lettering while in revenue service. That said it is also true none of my money supports the operation of 611 either so if the owners want to paint it bright pink with a neon purple stripe nothing we can do about it other than shake our head in disbelief...
The lettering for The Spirit of Roanoke is adhesive backed lettering. I saw Bev Fitzpatrick put it on the locomotive the first time.
Scott Smith
Good grief!
How do you think this makes NS management and the 611 crew feel when they see this kind of silliness posted about their herculean efforts? Is it no wonder that steam locomotive operators often hold railfans in such contempt?
Railfans can be one of the most self-destructive groups of people I have ever known.
Rich Melvin, Publisher & CEO
O Gauge Railroading magazine
Rich,
Thank you for saying that...really needed to be stated. Some folks...
Boy, people are easily insulted nowadays about the smallest things.
Reminds me on another thread recently that someone mentioned how he was insulted because Grand Canyon Railway put a diesel behind their steam locomotive when he was there...
Bet'cha the 611 just wants to roll over and die...
Rusty
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Had it not been for the Tug River derailment, we may not have her today. BTW, did they knock out the dent in the sand dome? As a child I crawled on top of the 611 in Wasena Park. I can still remember wondering about the scar on the "smooth round thing".
And yes, I got in trouble. A lot of trouble. And it was 100% worth it!!!!
Gilly, are you telling us that 611 had a dent in the sand dome?
Oh my GOD!!
That will totally destroy my ability to enjoy ANY picture of this engine. If they haven't fixed it, the dent will show up in the pics. If they HAVE fixed it, they destroyed the "historical fabric" of the locomotive because that's not how it ran in regular service!
No...I'm not serious. But you can bet there are some in the audience who think like this.
Gilly@N&W posted:Had it not been for the Tug River derailment, we may not have her today.
Very true Gilly. The fact that she is back in her 3rd career is a true blessing and I am looking forward to her trips this year. Thanks to the VMT and NS.
wbg pete posted:Good grief!
How do you think this makes NS management and the 611 crew feel when they see this kind of silliness posted about their herculean efforts? Is it no wonder that steam locomotive operators often hold railfans in such contempt?
Railfans can be one of the most self-destructive groups of people I have ever known.
Rich Melvin, Publisher & CEO
O Gauge Railroading magazine
Rich,
Thank you for saying that...really needed to be stated. Some folks...
It is a small, but loud and destructive group that complains. Same group that complains about safety vests! If you don't like the vests or the Spirit sign, then use Lightroom/Photoshop, but please don't complain.
The Spirit thing is no worse than some of the "silver bling" on the UP 844.
Dominic Mazoch posted:The Spirit thing is no worse than some of the "silver bling" on the UP 844.
Oh geez. Let's not go there, OK?
a picture from the ferry move today coming into the north side of Spencer just as the snow arrived.
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Beautiful photo!
Gilly@N&W posted:Had it not been for the Tug River derailment, we may not have her today. BTW, did they knock out the dent in the sand dome? As a child I crawled on top of the 611 in Wasena Park. I can still remember wondering about the scar on the "smooth round thing".
And yes, I got in trouble. A lot of trouble. And it was 100% worth it!!!!
Gilly - You'll be pleased to know that the sand dome dent is still there! The crease in the side of the tender, caused by the wreck, was fixed though.
OT but I wanted to thank you for your post a while back indicating the availability of Brother Love's remaining N&W CF caboose. I am very proud to have one of these on my roster!
OGR Webmaster posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:The Spirit thing is no worse than some of the "silver bling" on the UP 844.
Oh geez. Let's not go there, OK?
For peace, I'll stop.
kgdjpubs posted:a picture from the ferry move today coming into the north side of Spencer just as the snow arrived.
Some think the GS4 is the 'most beautiful engine in the world. I'll take this one. Had a Lionel 746 as a kid, chased it as a young man and again as an older man (2 years ago), and teamed with Clem Clement as a car host for 2 runs last year. So great that she is running again. Long live the 611!
OGR Webmaster posted:Gilly, are you telling us that 611 had a dent in the sand dome? That will totally destroy my ability to enjoy ANY picture of this engine.
Rich,
Everything will be OK. Just take a few minutes with the puppies in the OGR safe-space and have a nice Chai Tea......
Jim, add my vote for the 611 as the most beautiful steamer.....
Rusty,
One of those guys in the background of the 611 wreck is likely my grandfather. I do recall him talking about it. He was the Superintendent of the Car Department @ East End Shops. One of his jobs was to visit wreck sites to assess the condition of the cars and make a decision to either salvage/repair, or cut-up and scrap on-site.
Gilly@N&W posted: Jim, add my vote for the 611 as the most beautiful steamer.....
And add mine as well.......
The N&W knew how to boil water with class.
Gilly@N&W posted:BTW, did they knock out the dent in the sand dome?
Where is this said dent? Can you point it out? I have never paid any attention to it unlike the one that was in the tender.
The dent/damage she sustained from the Tug River crash, I believe it's on the firemans side, with the jacketing/casing on you can't see it unless your looking from above, you can see one of the fill hatches is pushed down a bit.
Dunno if this pic shows the area you're talking about, Chris. I don't know enough about the locomotive.
David
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If that is all it is, I wouldn't worry about it.
Big Jim posted:If that is all it is, I wouldn't worry about it.
Here's a photo I took of the sand dome in the Spencer backshop during the rebuild. A little hard to tell in this shot but I think the dent is at the top right corner in the picture. Can't be seen with the streamlining installed.
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NKP Muncie posted:Dunno if this pic shows the area you're talking about, Chris. I don't know enough about the locomotive.
David
Yes the center fill cap is slightly down and (as your looking at the pic above) the fill on the top right is down further. Firemans side back left if viewed from the cab. Never been anything to worry about....just a scar left over from the wreck.
To me the J class make the SP streamlined GS classes look gaudy. And I am an SP fan.
