I am hopping this is good news since I would assume they would quietly announce if they were not going to do a rebuild and make her active.  

 

I agree,I think it is going to be good news later today.

Dan

In before Rich says it will never run again.

http://fireup611.org/the-campa...e-feasibility-study/

 

** SPOILER ALERT**

 

It's BACK! So excited! I've waited a long time for this day and at times I've wondered if it would happen in my lifetime. Rich is usually right, but I'm happy he's wrong this time. Can't wait to hear that whistle under full steam pressure again.

Based on my contacts, they are announcing good news on the fundraising campaign, possibly some large donations they have received. I had an invitation to go, but work had to come first. Personally, I really hope this locomotive runs again through VA and NC. I followed and rode behind it several times in the early 90s.

Stay focused, stay humble, stay professional !   That being said...GIT SOME ! ! ! ! 

I said that long before this new organization was formed.

 

The organization leading the effort now is led by some very competent, professional people. I now think there is a very good chance that they will proceed with the restoration of the 611.

The group involved is nearly a "textbook" of how to properly proceed with a restoration, no matter if it's a building, property, or in this case a steam locomotive.  It's going to be an awesome year to watch all of this unfold. 

 

That have a plan to restore her,a place to do the work, a agreement to run her, and a goal amount needed to make it happen, now everyone needs to put their wallets where their mouth has been the past 10 years and DONATE! I did. ( and they e-mail you a tidy tax-deductible receipt)

Other than 611 having smaller drive wheels, how does she compare with UP 844?

The N&W "J" #611 is streamlined, and the UP 844 is not.

           844          611

Builder          ALCO        N&W

Fuel              Oil         Coal

Wheel Base      98'5"         109'2"

Weight          907,890     872,600

Firegrate        100 ft2      107 ft2

Heating Surface 3782 ft2    4693 ft2

Cylinders          25x32         27x32

Tractive effort    63,750       80,000

Retired          Never         1959/1994
 

Perhaps we will see this again sometime in 2014. 

 

 

Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 will steam again – if the money is there

Published: June 28, 2013

No. 611's last run at Kings Mountain, N.C., in 1994.

Photo by Steve Glischinski

ROANOKE, Va. – Famed Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611, one of the most famous 4-8-4s in American railroad history, will steam again — if a $3.5 million fund raising campaign is successful. The Virginia Museum of Transportation announced today its intention to return the iconic Roanoke-built locomotive to excursion service.

“We are pleased to say that we can Fire Up 611! But the time is now and it will take 611 fans around the world to stoke her fire,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. “Today we are kicking off the official capital campaign.”

The Fire Up 611! Committee determined that $3.5 million would be needed to return the locomotive to service. The costs include a complete mechanical restoration of the locomotive, a shop maintenance facility and support to develop the excursion program.

Ultimately, the goal is to raise $5 million so that No. 611 has an endowment to keep it running for years. “The Virginia Museum of Transportation does not have the resources to fund this project alone,” Fitzpatrick says. “We are asking her fans across the globe who want to see her run again to be a part of this important capital campaign. Her appeal extends to people everywhere who value heritage, craftsmanship and the thrill of bringing an American icon to life.”

The inspection and restoration would take place at the North Carolina Transportation Museum roundhouse at Spencer, N.C., pending the conclusion of a formal agreement with North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation. Work would be done by a combination of paid contractors and experienced volunteer labor. “We are lucky that the guys who did this work in the 1980s and 1990s were in their 20s and 30s then,” Preston Claytor, chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee tells Trains News Wire. “While they are older, we can still use these guys.”

Claytor says the goal is to have enough money to see the project through before rebuilding work begins. “We have to feel we can make it go without negatively impacting the rest of museum operations,” Claytor says, “because museum operations simply can’t bankroll the locomotive.”

The Virginia Museum of Transportation must reach its fundraising goal by Oct. 31, 2013 for the locomotive to join NS’s 21st Century steam program in 2014. “If her supporters bring No. 611 back to life, NS will be eager and excited for this incredible part of rail history to join the 21st Century Steam Program,” says Norfolk Southern spokesman Frank Brown. “The return of 611 would represent a great opportunity to celebrate our heritage while educating a new generation about the critical role railroads play in today’s economy.” Currently the 21st Century Steam Program includes Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 630, and the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Railroad Historical Society’s Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765.

Claytor says the committee feels that having the locomotive running next year is a realistic goal. “We feel very confident, especially with the work that was done in the late 80s and early 90s, about what we will have to do and what we won’t have to do, says Claytor. We are the real beneficiaries of the work that was done in the 1980s and 1990s. Realistically it needs some engine truck work, and it needs the form 4 (federally mandated inspection), and of course all the other things that must be done after this much time has passed, such as air brake work. But with the right amount of volunteers and labor and some good luck, six months is very realistic,” he says.

As far as mechanical condition, Claytor says one area that would need attention is the wheels. “The wheels are approaching the end of their useful life to where they would not be FRA compliant,” Claytor says. Replacing the wheels was work that was planned over the winter of 1994-95 that was never conducted with the end of the original NS steam program. “One of the main mechanical focuses will be to put new wheels on the locomotive,” he says. At the same time all the wheel bearings will be inspected. All N&W J class locomotives were roller bearing equipped.

The new shop would be built on the museum grounds in Roanoke, but it could be a year to 18 months before it is constructed. It will include one track with a drop pit, while another will be just rails and concrete. The building will be designed to handle other purposes such as special events, where tables and displays could be set up as needed.

When the locomotive isn’t undergoing maintenance, it will not remain in the shop but be put on display at the museum, although it may swap display positions from its current location so the J is more prominent, Claytor says. “We would prefer to keep it closer to the main displays as opposed to people having to go over to the shop to see it, where they can get up close and touch it as opposed to just looking at it through glass,” he says.

One nod to the 21st Century will be the return of a twin seal beam headlight the engine had when it was returned to operation in 1982. Claytor says the original single bulb headlight the engine was built with is too dim to allow crews to see adequately during night operations.

N&W built No. 611 in its Roanoke shops in 1950, and the engine was in regular service until its retirement in 1959. It was placed on display in Wasena Park in 1962 and withdrawn in 1981 for overhaul and mainline excursion work for Norfolk Southern from 1982 to the conclusion of its steam excursions in December 1994. NS announced its return to a limited excursion program in 2010 and trips began in 2011.

No. 611’s fans are invited to visit fireup611.org to learn more and to donate to the Fire Up 611 Capital Campaign. They can also visit the Fire Up 611 Facebook page, YouTube, and Twitter feed (#fireup611).

I'm just glad to see that the plans call for her to be moved to Spencer while she's being restored!!

Also a question to the twin sealed beam headlight.....Are there not newer bulbs out now that can produce has much light as the twin beam? Just has me wonder how 611 will look using HID Headlights?

This is very good news regarding the 611.  Can this same group please come further North to PA to lead the 13+ year old PRR K4 #1361 mismanaged restoration project?

Great news!!! Glad to hear this and a brief rundown of their ideas.

 

Chris

 

 

Make a donation today, I just did. i want to ride behind 611!!!

 

Http://fireup611.org/donate/

Wouldn't it be great if the 12,000+ members of this forum each contributed $100 to this project?  That would put them about 1/3 of the way toward their $3M initial goal.

I just made another donation...give what you can.

 

Chris

great plug for a worthy cause Allan, I wonder how many other forum members will follow your lead by donating $100

Yes, I plan to donate $100 even though the N&W is not among the roads I model.  I did, however, spend seven years in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Roanoke area, so am not exactly a stranger to the Transportation Museum and the 611.

 

Besides, anything O. Winston Link loved is good enough for me!  

Very true, Rick!  It's one thing to announce a new and bold initiative.  It's quite another thing to bring it to fruition.  And, for the most part, it all boils down to one thing and one thing only: $

Well, now is the time for all the 611 fans out there to pony up and make it happen. There has been a LOT of talk about "wanting to see 611 return". Stop talking and start donating!  ;-)

Hi, new forum member, first post.

 

I am a prewar Lionel collector (my main interest), and love steam locomotives.  I first saw 765 right after she was restored in 1979 when I was 7 years old.  I have ridden behind her in 1991 on the double-header through the New River Gourge, and many other trips.  I've also chased her many, many times.  I've ridden and chased many other mainline engines, including 611, 1218, 587, 1522, 3985, 261, 1225, & 614.  I've been on about 10 photo charters, mostly at Cass, WM Scenic, D&RGW, Cumbres & Toltec.

 

But my favorite locomotive of all: 765.  Some of the reason is because it was the first mainline steam loco I saw & chased, but I love her looks and she has one of the best sounding exhausts, and love her Nathan 5 chime.  Also, Lima Locomotive Works is the best, IMHO.   Also, the Fort Wayne Group is #1, and I have the utmost respect for this group of people. 

 

Now that I've given you my background, I wanted to share my opinion about 611.

 

I've ridden behind, chased, etc. her many times.  Great engine, but she doesn't have the great sound and classic looks like 765 has. 

 

My biggest concern is with 611 potentially running again, there would be yet another large engine that is capable of running in a very limited market.  Let's face it, steam does not get to run much, and yet another engine available means other operable engine(s) will NOT get to run as much, or at all.  There is a VERY limited opportunity to run mainline steam.  NS is running steam only because Goode is out and Moorman is now at the top   How long will this last?  CSX is anti-steam, and most others are not that friendly.

 

So to me, this means that my favorite, 765 and the Fort Wayne Group, will suffer, as 611 will get chosen to run vs. 765. 

 

I'd love to see 611 run again, but not at the expense of others not getting to run.  I don't expect Rich to respond due to professional reasons, but I would think he feels the same as me.  My donations will go to Fort Wayne.

I'm hoping that the 611 gets up and running as soon as possible.

I've made my donation today also, I hope to be able ride behind her.

I've always loved the looks of the NW 611 and the SP 4449 and NKP 765 but the 611 is my favorite, sorry Rich.

 

 

 

Jerry

I appreciate your love of the 765, but please don't put words in my mouth or presume to know what I think.

 

I think the 611 project is a good thing...for ALL main line steam operators. 

I appologize for the wording of my post and obviously I thought wrongly.

 

I would be interested in reading your opinions about why 611 running again would be good "for ALL main line steam operators"?

 

It's exciting to see that Preston Claytor is one of the persons heading up this effort (actually serving as the Chairman of the committee). This gives a lot of credence - and prestige - to the effort to bring back the 611. There's plenty of horsepower and tremendous connections to get this project done, assuming adequate money can be raised. And it's a continuation of a family tradition and legacy.

 

As many here (maybe most) know, he is a son of Robert Claytor (died in 1993), the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, after it was formed by the consolidation of the N&W and Southern, and also long-time board member and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the railroad. A very distinguished man, and a very distinguished family.

 

He was also one of the patron saints of steam programs, together with his brother Graham Claytor, formerly President of the Southern Railroad (and later President of Amtrak - also served as Secretary of the Navy). Graham was the person who spearheaded the successful effort to donate the Southern 1401 Pacific steam engine to the Smithsonian, among other things. The Claytor brothers made possible the older steam program which used to run the 611 and the 1218. 

This 611 project is a shining example of how a project like this should be handled. I know some of the people who are running the show on this project, and they are professionals in every respect.

 

When the 611 is up and running, I'm sure it will be crewed and operated in an equally professional manner. Thus it will become another example of how to do it RIGHT. The more of us that are out on the road operating steam locomotives in a safe and professional manner, the better the future of main line steam.

Your enthusiasm for 765 is very apparent but there are equally a lot of others with the same level of enthusiasm that wish to see their favourite engine (611) back in steam again as well.

 

What happens when the ticket on 765 expires and it needs to be renewed? This work doesn't happen over a casual weekend. Does everyone just wait until it is done because the perception seems to be that nothing else can run apart from 765?

 

Out of interest can you mention what mainline steam is available to steam as of today that you see as a potentially to be in direct competition to 765? This is not to include those engines being restored or in the shops and unavailable due to issues.

 

In this current climate I don't think you can have enough steam available and any opportunity that arises where a serious team are prepared to make reality happen should be encouraged fully.

I think what is key in todays world is that these groups are made up of some very talented and professional people, and as such the locomotives are maintained and operated in the same manor.  The FWRHS group now has 40+ years under it's belt and has a first class operation...their talent shows and they know what they are doing.  I have seen the 765 at various times since the 80's and she and their group just keep getting better.

      There is plenty of room out there for all....

 

Chris

 

I agree.

 

I don't think that 611's re-appearance on the scene will mean the end of NKP 765's participation in the Norfolk Southern 21st Century Steam Program.

For NS, both steamers are "heritage".

I'd like to think so.  However I remember in the 1980s when the arrival of the 611 and 1218 seemed to end participation of Southern and non-NS locos in the Norfolk Southern steam program.  It was probably a coincidence, but I would hate to see it happen again.

I donated at the Roanoke rail days back in May and got a T shirt for it!!! I will now again donate to the 611 project. 611 is maybe to only loco I have been in the cab, ridden behind and chased.

It would be great if every member here gave $10 or more as a thanks to the OGR folks providing us this great place.

Gosh, I wonder what kind of self-absorbed thinking will emerge when 1225 finally resumes life...hopefully by this year's end? 

 

I'm with those who see the restoration and operation of ALL steam...when properly done and managed...to be a very good thing.  And that would seem especially true in this economy.

 

The other benefit of this sort of activity is to build a broader base of critical skills and knowledge associated with these beasts.   Otherwise, the next thing you know, we'd be subcontracting that, also, to the Chinese...the last world bastion of working steam, retired, finally, just a few short years ago.

 

I'm looking forward to a Lima 'Lash-up' () soon...765 and 1225!   ...and a visit by 611, to boot...what a hoot!!

 

KD

I can't forsee the reason or money for 765 to return the SRI again. At least while 1225 is running. The cost of deadhead moves are astronomical

Yeah I remember that also.  I think the biggest difference here is that at that time NS was paying for the 611 & 1218.  And now it will be funded privately and managed by a private group and not NS.  I think NS is very happy with the position they are in with their current program in terms of operation and the expense to the company.  Now if the 611 comes back will NS want it to pull for them occasionally?...I would think so but I do not see it replacing the other power that is being utilized.  Could a steam crazy guy come along at NS and want to rebuild what they once had?...Sure..but I highly doubt it....big $$$$ and poor economics would kill that idea fast and quietly.

 

I don't think the Southern steam fans have anything to worry about. 

 

Chris