Norfolk Southern donates to Fire Up 611?

Well there is a big $$$ donor they needed, it's great to see NS do this.  I see they posted this news on their (NS) F/B page.  Well only 1.5 million more to go, I wonder with this announcement by NS if other deep pockets will open up.

Well they want 5 million in the bank, they just got 1.5 from NS.  Earlier they stated that they had enough to restore the 611 so 500-750K so you would think that they have 2 to 2.25 million, but the VMT stated that they need another 1.5 mil....sooooo by my math that means they have 3.5 mil right now unless they miss spoke. 

This is GREAT news!

 

Now that NS has come on board with this generous donation, I would not be surprised to see some other large corporate donors step up and contribute to the cause.

Great to see NS supporting this even more with a generous contribution.  It certainly is a great time for steam with all the efforts from NS, UP and the numerous groups supporting steam.

I couldn't agree more.    My life is 1 step closer to making sense again.

Awesome !    Makes my weekend.....and the plan continues.   

Here's the link to the Virginian Pilot article:

 

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/1...-rothko-painting-37m

Including the NYC Hudsons, NYC S Motors and Santa Fe's F Warbonnets, the N&W J is one the icons of our hobby. I am anxious to see the 611 back in service!

 

Can you imagine a railfest meet of steamers and a growler in a few years including:

Nickle Plate Berk 765

Pierre Marquette Berk 1225

N&W J611

UP Big Boy 4014

UP Challenger 3985

SP GS4 Daylight 4449

Milwaukee Road 261 Northern

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700

Southern Railway 4501

CP 2317 Pacific

CP 3254 Mikado

B&M Flying Yankee

Ohio Central 1293 Pacific

Grand Trunk Western 6345 Northern

C&O 614 Greenbrier.

 

Think off all of these engines in front of a roundhouse or on a ready track for excursion runs! This is mind boggling!!!

 

 

I like modern art but $3.7M for this?  That's a lot of soup!  Worked out well for 611 so I am happy.

http://media.hamptonroads.com/...s/images/1294881.jpg

 

I don't care if the $$ came from the selling off a grilled cheese that looked like the Claytor bros.  it's all good for the 611...

The remainder of funds needed is for maintenance building construction completion and long term logistical funds? Hopefully a few big contributers are interested or all us little guys need to repeat. I read that they are now shooting for late 2014 participation. No way a facility is constructed before early 2014 so I assume work is at Spencer?

 

Rich

Yes, 611 will be overhauled at Spencer.  The Roanoke shop will be used to maintain the locomotive after its return to service.

At least they are thinking in terms of SOGR.  (State of Good Repair)

To clear up some possible misconceptions in your statement:

 

1) N&W 611 does NOT need an "overhaul"! She does need her new FRA 15 year inspection completed, and some minor work on her Engine Truck. The reason that the work will be done at the Historic Spencer Shops, is; available space under cover, and a drop table large enough to drop out the Engine truck.

 

2) The "Roanoke Shop" will NOT be involved with any maintenance on 611. A NEW shop/display building must be built at the Roanoke Transportation Museum, for indoor display and preventative maintenance on 611, when ever she is not "out on the road". The construction of the new facility on the grounds of the museum is the main reason for the TOTAL REQUIREMENT of $3.5 Million.

Wonderful news!!!!!

Good news. The Commonwealth of Virginia should kick in the rest. The 611 is a State treasure and will bring much tourism to the Old Dominion state.

I think the A 1218 would have been the btter loco to redo because of the various operational issues mentioned on this thread.  But 611 is better known, so be it.

 

As for monies from ANY government, I would be against it.  Heck, the Commonwealth could place a restriction it could run only in VA!  It the tourist industry thinks it could benefit from the running of the 611, THEY can put up the money!

I keep looking at that "artwork"...all I see is a burnt piece of toast

 

Glad someone liked it enough to buy it and glad NS donated a good chunk of the $$$ towards giving the 611 project a boost

This is what was said:

"NS’ signed Rothko painting was created in 1959. The “oil on paper laid down on canvas” image measures 29-1/2 by 21-1/2 inches and features amorphous forms that float on top of each other, “…wonderfully capable of moving the viewer to extreme states of feeling…” according to Sotheby’s, the auction house."

Bob,

Can't you see the amorphous forms?

My only extreme state of feeling is how lucky can 611 get?

Sounds like great news.

This absolutely is a great thing, and she will be back in steam. 

Bob,  The drive wheels on the J Class locomotives are only 5' 10" tall, so only 5" taller than your dad. Maybe your dad was standing on the ground, below the ballast/track level, which always make the drives wheels look so much taller.

Jack,

 

I'll have to find that photo!  It could be he was shorter than I recall, I know I'm not as tall as I once was

Great news for the 611

 

Dave

Those 70" drivers were a concern to the PRR when N&W 610 was on that system testing.  She was running over 100 mph on PRR passenger trains, and there was concern about the number of times the pistons were going back and forth per minute.  That number would be higher on a 70" locomotive vs. an 80".

Yes...but there was no need for concern.

Sam, I find all those questions as intriguing as you do.  And who within the company is charged with purchasing art??

Where there's smoke there's FIRE!

There will be soon. 

My employer has an extensive collection of artwork. I think is is probably pretty common with larger corporations. It is an investment, and is displayed in the facilities.

 

One of the most impressive pieces is Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's studio model of the Statue of Liberty. It was purchased by a former CEO back in the '70s and was later donated to the company.  

 

Gilly