Jack,
I figured OSHA and the NTSB would have placed some additional requirements on the RR since the Js were built. What, no seat belts?!?!? 
All I recall was that it was hotter than hell inside when I got a chance to get up in the cab.
Originally Posted by p51:
You see this kind of thing all the time with old WW2 warplanes on the airshow circuit. Why people can’t leave locomotives or antique airplanes in historically-correct markings without ‘cute’ additions is totally beyond me.
I agree, I always figured the numbers on steam locomotive were for all intents and purposes their names already. The 4449 is always referred to as 4449, 765 is always referred to as 765, etc.. People really need to leave things alone and stop trying to add their little stamp to it. At least no one has decided to put the names of major donors or executives on it like you see on a lot of things now. If you ever go to Baltimore there is a memorial to the Polish officers killed by Stalin and it has the names of politicians (Babrbara Mikulski, et al) and major donors for the monument, (The owner of H&S Bakery, et al) on it so nothing is sacred these days.
Jerry
Originally Posted by Bob Delbridge:
Jack,
I figured OSHA and the NTSB would have placed some additional requirements on the RR since the Js were built.
The NTSB is an investigative department of the Department Of Transportation, and only investigates accidents and then makes "recommendations". OSHA, only has some limited jurisdiction in the railroad industry, and then pretty much only in car & locomotive repair shops. The FRA has the jurisdiction of locomotives, track and rolling stock.
All I recall was that it was hotter than hell inside when I got a chance to get up in the cab.
Right! But then being a "historic" piece of railroad equipment, there are no rules against the heat.
Originally Posted by baltimoretrainworks:
People really need to leave things alone and stop trying to add their little stamp to it.
You just nailed it right there. In this age, everything has to be personalized and people apparently can't cope with the idea of something being just one of a large number of its type, even if what they're looking at is the last example.
From the Fire up 611 FB page:
"The Spirit of Roanoke!
In October 2011, the City of Roanoke designated the N&W Class J 611 as the Spirit of Roanoke.
This glorious locomotive is dedicated to the thousands of artisans and craftsmen who designed, built and maintained the 611 -- and the thousands of other outstanding locomotives -- in Roanoke's East End Shops and Shaffer's Crossing.
...For the purists, during professional photo shoots, a magnet will be placed over the Spirit of Roanoke so that it does not show in photos."
Perhaps someone with knowledge can explain the 2011 "naming" of 611 by the City of Roanoke which is what is suggested by the above quote.
Given the fact that there would be far less restoration/preservation if only egoless purists supplied the funds, and commercial interests often are recognized in various ways for their support, I'm not troubled by the script applied to 611, and the fact that it will be covered for professional photo shoots acknowledges the varied constituencies the organizers of the restoration of 611 have and continue to deal with.
Originally Posted by p51:
Originally Posted by baltimoretrainworks:
People really need to leave things alone and stop trying to add their little stamp to it.
You just nailed it right there. In this age, everything has to be personalized and people apparently can't cope with the idea of something being just one of a large number of its type, even if what they're looking at is the last example.
I also agree. Just my opinion but, I wonder if this is all related to the "marketing" and "Trademarking" by the museum of everything 611.
I may not like it, but if it helps keep her maintained and operational, then I can live with it.
Ships wear names on the fantail. Maybe if they moved it to the back of the tender? 
Originally Posted by p51:
Frankly, I always thought one of the great things about not naming steam locomotives in the US (as opposed to the UK) was the idea that there were too many of them to give them each names.
It was quite common (maybe even the norm) to give steam locomotives names in the 19th century.
Isn't Roanoke where NS is closing their corporate office ??
Originally Posted by jim pastorius:
Isn't Roanoke where NS is closing their corporate office ??
Not their "corporate office", just an office building. As I recall, the NS Corporate Offices are in Atlanta, GA.
OK if they gotta put something on the cab, how about the "Pride of Roanoke"
I know they can do anything they want but gee...
Ed
Anyone remember the Erie 's "Pride of Youngstown, and the Spirit of Youngstown"????? How silly can these people get????? Anyway, the Y6 classes were known as Elephants back in the day, names apparently brought to life by DPM, Phil Hastings, and maybe O.W. Link. Fits rather well. A few Trains Mag. old timers will remember the 1959 article "Ivory hunters on the Horizon" or such. 1218 needs a name like a hole in the head ! Had 611 and her sisters carried names at birth, this whole thing would be OK, as with RF&P Statesmen 4-8-4s, etc. The South African's have a Beyer- garrett named Lindy Lou !.....the Lindy Lou I know has more RR characteristics than most life time railroaders, but nothing in common with a B.-G. ! I move we get us a chooch exorcist and cast out this Spirit of Roanoke !
Originally Posted by p51:
- 2156 was completed early in 1942. She would have been on the N&S's books long before Pearl Harbor
You do realize Pearl Harbor was in December 1941, don't you??? 
They may have been planning on building more Y's, but the war announcement hastened them along.
In today's educational / political / cultural meltdown...you can have Pearl Harbor, or anything else, whenever you want it !
There is plenty of room for historical purists. There are plenty of locomotives out there that can be purchased and rebuilt back to exactly their original condition. The folks who funded this restoration and did all the work are entitled to do as they wish - fortunately for N&W fans, it did not get painted red, white, and blue.
Holler, scream, jump up and down - but best to buy one and do it the way you want. My very antique aircraft has a number of modifications, including a slightly changed paint scheme and disc brakes. I like it.
Fire Up 611 2015 crew photo from FB:
Are any of these folks forum members?
Originally Posted by steam fan:
Originally Posted by p51:
- 2156 was completed early in 1942. She would have been on the N&S's books long before Pearl Harbor
You do realize Pearl Harbor was in December 1941, don't you??? They may have been planning on building more Y's, but the war announcement hastened them along.
Yes, I'm more familiar with WW2 history than most.
That's why I wrote she was 'on the books' before WW2 started. Clearly she was under construction or at least under order to get built before the first bombs fell on Wake Island, the Philippines and all the other places the Japanese hit as well as Hawaii.
Originally Posted by Pingman:
Are any of these folks forum members?
Yes.
There is live streaming of the 611 along with other activities at Spencer currently, with additional coverage on May 20 with a test run to Greensboro on Thursday May 21st.
Originally Posted by N&W Class J:
There is live streaming of the 611 along with other activities at Spencer currently, with additional coverage on May 20 with a test run to Greensboro on Thursday May 21st.
And how does one get to this live stream?
It's on the trains.com site.
perhaps "spirit of Roanoke" is not so much a name as it is a statement of fact..
Jack
The NS corporate offices are in downtown Norfolk, VA. If anyone is in the area it is worth a short visit. http://www.nscorp.com/content/...southern-museum.html One of the exhibits is locomotive simulator that visitor's can run.
NS also has an office in Atlanta. Some of the former Roanoke jobs will move to Norfolk, others to Atlanta. This press release provides info on the relocation of the jobs formerly in NS's Roanoke office building. http://www.nscorp.com/content/...locateemployees.html
Ed Rappe
Originally Posted by Just a fan:
And how does one get to this live stream?
That would have helped huh....woops. Right here. 
Thanks, Chris.
Many thanks to Chris for his ongoing info.
Anyone know what time the test run leaves or will the dispatcher be the one to decide when a window opens?
Thanks,
George Lasley
No, nothing at this point, there will be live streaming of it. The aux tank and tool car #1407 did arrive in Spencer.
The ditch lights look awesome on it!!
From Cheri George's FB page.
From Cheri George's FB page.
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Originally Posted by Southern6482:
The ditch lights look awesome on it!!
From Cheri George's FB page.
From Cheri George's FB page.
Now THAT's funny!!!!!
The ditch lights look, sort of, dinky but it is still an awesome looking machine. We are truly blessed that we can see this remarkable engine move under steam again. Thank you NS and all others involved. I have forgiven NS for ending their steam program earlier.
Cheri just posted a photo of the 611. It has ditch lights. They don't look too bad. Having said that I don't care about them one way or the other. I would post the photo here but I don't know how.
It is already posted a few posts above....don't panic.
I stopped by Spencer today. Here's a couple of photos I took of the tool car and aux tender that Chris mentioned. They really do look nice.
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Great photos, they both look great. Thank's for posting them.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I have a question regarding the design of the 611. What is the, for lack of a better term, "tubing" on the bottom of the streamline cowling on 611's smokebox front, and why could it not have been covered over/hidden? See pics. Thanks.
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I'm not sure but my impression when there yesterday was that it is an electrical conduit.
N&W Historical Society helps with 611:
Originally Posted by lionel89:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I have a question regarding the design of the 611. What is the, for lack of a better term, "tubing" on the bottom of the streamline cowling on 611's smokebox front, and why could it not have been covered over/hidden? See pics. Thanks.
Rick had it right, it is part of the electrical conduit layout of the Class J.
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The 611 is getting prepared for her first main line runs of the century. She sure looks good....oh yeah....no ditch lights....for those wondering.
Originally Posted by Southern6482:
The ditch lights look awesome on it!!
You guys crack me up.
A little script lettering under the cab window causes people to almost vomit in disgust because "that's not how the engine looked in service," but ditch lights are "awesome."
