Well here is the latest from the VMT/Fireup611 group.
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Great news! I hope they also get some young blood on the team to pass along some of the knowledge so future generations can enjoy these national treasures in action.
The 611 Dream Team, circa December, 1994 - add 20 years and you're current!
CLICK HERE for the full sized view.
Sounds like they are doing it right all around. Now, maybe they can show the present steam roundhouse crew located near the junction of I 25 and I-80 in WY how to do things!
I think it is great that Norfolk Southern and some of the other Class 1 Railroads are helping out and appear to have an interest in bringing back to life these great locomotives. Maybe what we are witnessing is a new age in railroading.
Wow! Thats great they tracked down the "original crew". Now if someone would put Steve Lee and his "crew " on the bigboy restoration
.... but thats for another more controversial thread.
Thanks for all the updates regarding all of these steam restorations Chris!
I know a couple of these folks...
Scott Lindsay did the running gear work on the 765's overhaul back in 2005-2006. That running gear has been trouble-free and running like a Swiss watch ever since.
Bob Saxtan has been on all the 765 trips we have run on Norfolk Southern in the last few years. Bob is one of the best railroaders I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He knows the operating and safety rules and locomotive systems like the back of his hand.
This is a GOOD team! I wish them the best.
Originally Posted by RickO:
Wow! Thats great they tracked down the "original crew". Now if someone would put Steve Lee and his "crew " on the bigboy restoration
Isn't it amazing that the Roanoke Transportation Museum and the "Fire-up the 611" committee have done just the exact OPPOSITE of what the Union Pacific has done? The 611 Team will be getting all the experienced personnel that REALLY know every inch of the J, especially Bob Saxtan and Bob Yuill, who is really one of the best boiler men in the U.S.!
I was thinking the same thing about the group they have put together, the 611 committee is doing it right. The 611 is in good hands.
The advantages of running your steam program privately. Union Pacific has Union rule they have to put in play and all. The company is doing it all in house so they cant just bring in the best people. Might be better if they killed the steam program and set up a private foundation..
Originally Posted by jethat:
The advantages of running your steam program privately. Union Pacific has Union rule they have to put in play and all. The company is doing it all in house so they cant just bring in the best people. Might be better if they killed the steam program and set up a private foundation..
Not necessarily true! The UP Steam Crew, pervious to the current manager, was not opposed to requesting assistance from other "experts" and consultants/contractors in the field of steam locomotive rebuild, repair and maintenance. For example, witness the long relationship between the SP4449 crew and the UP Steam Crew, prior to the current manager.
What is negatively effecting the current UP Steam Crew is the current manager's obsession with changing EVERYTHING established by the previous crew. Plus, not a single individual on the current UP Steam Crew has any experience in overhauling/rebuilding a LARGE articulated steam locomotive! Granted, there are a number of VERY qualified members on the cruet UP Steam Crew, they just do not have the many years of experience with big UP steam locomotives.
611 steaming again, WOW!
Yesssss, the stars are aligning over Roanoke.
Makes you kinda wonder what might be possible in a number of years. The obvious talent, plus communication and cooperation should propel this endeavor to great times ahead! Best of success to all involved!
