ATTENTION!! PLEASE READ!! NORFOLK-SOUTHERN HERITAGE UNITS FAMILY PORTRAIT!!!

This sounds like a great event for those who are into photography and history. I wish that I could be there, but I have a family event to go to. I hope someone can post a few pictures of the engines.

I am certain that this will be a wonderful event.

That said, how about a more meaningful title for the thread!

Count me in!

Thanks for the update ROGERW.

Walter M. Matuch

hey walter! norfolk-southern hasn't posted this event on their webpage yet, but i did see the hardcopy announcement today. the hobby store that i was in that received the announcement didn't have a scanner. i was going to scan the actual letter so everyone could see the original document. i just wrote down from the announcement all of the important information............rogerw.

This looks exciting...I just wish they would have more activities closer to DC. As it stands now it means driving down to Roanoke, up to Altoona, or down to NC. Why not bring a couple of DC Union Station?

With 20 locomotives, it will make for an interesting photograph to get all off them in and visible, unless they use the roundhouse tracks ( and I do not think there are 20 around the table anymore). Even then, it will be nose shots rather than broadside views. I guess they could rotate 4-5 at a time somewhere to get better views. The NCTM does not have anything posted as well on their website, I just checked ( as well as NS again). 

Currently, the late afternoon / evening shoot is $20 per person, not the $30 Roger mentioned. May have increased the price due to this added feature. 

A splendid opportunity for any of you folks living in the area, or who can make the trip to get there.  I think it would be great if NS and the museum was overwhelmed by visitors.  It would show that there's still a whole lot of interest in railroads, and especially those that are going "above and beyond" to keep their heritage alive.

I contacted the NCTM, and here is what I found out:

Event: July 3 & 4 (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Shoot Schedule: Each Morning: 6:30 - 10:00 AM

                        July 3rd Evening: 6:30 - 8:30 (not sure if would go later)

Advance cost is $25, $30 day of event if tickets are still available

Tickets are advance sale, starting Monday, May 21, 2012

There are no NS heritage units coming for Rail Days, June 2 & 3. They will have the N&W GP30 to pose with SR GP30 2601 for the 30th Anniversary shot.

I do not know if there is a maximum number of tickets available. To order, call 704-636-2889 starting Monday and ask for the July NS anniversary shoot. This was just announced yesterday to the staff.

DITTO! LIKE THE PRR ONE!

hey larry! the information on the prices, i copied from the hard copy (i got the hard copy from bruce). unless the prices changed since thursday (may 17th), those are the correct prices..........rogerw.

hey john pignatelli jr, i wouldn't be surprised if norfolk-southern decides to have those heritage engines shown at various places along the whole system! i remember several years ago when norfolk-southern was talking about having a heritage engine program. personally i didn't think it was going to happen, but it did!! wouldn't it be great if norfolk-southern brought back n&w "j" 611 and the n&w class a 1218!!!!!.....rogerw.

here is the official announcement!!

<FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2012
Norfolk Southern Heritage locomotives to gather in North Carolina for July 4 ‘family portrait’
NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern’s Heritage locomotives will gather for a “family portrait” at the North Carolina Transportation Museum (NCTM) in Spencer, N.C., during the Fourth of July week. All 20 locomotives painted in the color schemes of predecessor railroads will be on display July 3 and 4. “This is the first and probably only chance we’ll have to get all these locomotives together in one place at one time,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “We’re proud of the role railroads play in keeping the country’s economy strong, and July 4 is an opportune time to showcase that heritage of service and safety.” “Having these engines gathered together is a phenomenon, not just an event,” said NCTM Executive Director Samuel Wegner. “And the N.C. Transportation Museum’s Bob Julian Roundhouse is obviously a great place to frame this ‘family portrait’. It’s a great partnership with Norfolk Southern to host this historic occasion.” Tickets for the event are $25 for adults and $15 for children in advance, and $30 for adults and $20 for children the day of the event. Children under 3 are free. Tickets will go on sale beginning May 21 at the NCTM’s web site or by calling 704-636-2889, ext. 237. Norfolk Southern employees and retirees will be eligible for a $5 discount, with a limit of four tickets per purchase. Some restrictions may apply. Retirees must purchase tickets by phone to get the discount. The Fourth of July week was chosen because of the holiday and because demand for the locomotives in freight service temporarily will be reduced due to the traditional coal miners’ holiday. In a related event, on Saturday, July 7, the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Va., will unveil the refurbished Norfolk & Western 1776 locomotive, which was painted in a star-spangled color scheme to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial in 1976 and has just been restored to its original luster. >

MOST COOL, and a very nice gesture on the part of Mr. Moorman and the NS! 

Hey Roger, does Jeff know you frequent the competition?

As I understand it this actually been setup here for a Trains magazine shoot to be a feature in an upcoming issue.

Here is a pix of the first page of the announcement.

hey ron! yes he knows!! i was in his shop today discussing the upcoming photo shoot in july!!!.......rogerw.

Tickets did in fact go on sale today at the museum, and there are two options to choose from. The day ticket is $25 in advance and is good from 8 am to 8 pm. Then there is a night photo ticket for $20 that goes from 9 pm to 12:00 midnight. There is no combination ticket available. Same schedule for July 3 and 4th. The museum will be open to the public both days, but everyone visiting must pay for the day ticket ($30 day of event). This ticket also includes the museum and on-site train rides during through the day. During the day, each locomotive will be placed on the turntable for photos, they also will put museum locomotives alongside the heritage units throughout the day. Similar shots will be done for the night session. 

I got my tickets for both events on the 3rd, see you there!