Steam will return to Roanoke for the first time since N&W 611 dropped her fire for the last time in December 1994. Please come out to support this event and make it spectacular. Many people have worked very hard for this event to happen.
**An inside source says the 17 will be sporting a N&W J whistle as well as a N&W Hooter whistle for the event**
Roanoke Rail Fest Saturday, May 12 The VMT will celebrate Roanoke’s rail roots. Music, food and all-things-trains. Special equipment will also be on display. This is a family-friendly event that will be held on National Train Day. Experience steam locomotive train rides pulled by the New Hope Valley Railroad 1941 Vulcan #17. Rides will continue on Sunday, May 13. More information will be posted soon.
**Here is the recent update schedule of events going on in Roanoke**
Steam returns to Roanoke for the first time since 1994!
For the first time in 18 years, ride behind a steam locomotive in Roanoke! The New Hope Valley Railway #17, a 0-4-0T steam locomotive built in 1941 by Vulcan Iron Works, will be in Roanoke to lead the train.... Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0fUcL67J0o&feature=share
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Sit in the cab of the Class J 611 and the Class A 1218 -- bring your camera!
See "Going Home" in the N&W Safety Car 418's theater.
Ride a vintage rail handcar.
Learn about our rail history. Model train displays.
Craft Station and face painting.
Operation Lifesaver.
Food and music.
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION: $5 per person. Member and infants 2 and under are free. RIDE BEHIND A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: $2 per person per ride (including members). Infants 2 and under ride the train for free. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! (Steam train rides will continue on Sunday, May 13. Regular admission rates and train ticket prices apply.)
This event is made possible by the Taubman Foundation, Norfolk Southern, New Hope Valley Railway, North Fork Inc, North Carolina Transportation Museum, Tennesse Valley Railroad Museum and the Roanoke Chapter NRHS.
This is going to be a great event for the Museum and for 17 and her crew--steam ambassadors from the Old North State! Sadly, I won't be making the event, but it promises to be a fantastic weekend for all involved.
Where will this little varmint run in Roanoke? There isn't any free space that I could see on the museum grounds. Will NS let her run on one of the lighter used yard tracks? Are there any lightly used tracks in Roanoke?
Dang! We'll be in Blacksburg attending my son's graduation. Maybe I can sneak out?
Kidding, just kidding!! My wife would be steaming if I tried that.
Mine got her masters right next door . Radford U. With as much money as you've got invested in that graduation I wouldn't think you miss that for the world. Least have something to show for four years of being Po Po is what you are when you can't afford the other "O" and the "R" to spell poor. Congrats to him Bill , even though the shingle is from VT.
There is a fairly long lead track that goes into the museum grounds. That is where they have run other events with the local chapter's ALCO T6 (which btw someone needs to model instead of those omnipresent EMD's).
Just for information, the museum used to be the multi-tracked Roanoke Freight Station, hence the long lead going in there used for switching off what was/is the Old East Bound mainline.
Dang! We'll be in Blacksburg attending my son's graduation.
A great university with a beautiful campus, and I say that with some bias as a former/retired staff member at VT.
Attend the graduation ceremonies; head up the road to Roanoke; treat the graduate to a fine lunch at the Hotel Roanoke; then walk down to the rail festivities next door.
Well we did get to see this little gem Friday night, my wife & I. She thought it was a little bit nuts for me to dash out at dusk and she was even more surprised to see cars and trucks on either side of the tracks with railfans and their wives and kids and grandmas in tow, all to check out this tea kettle. It sounded great!
Saturday was much too busy and we did not get back to downtown Roanoke, so I'm glad we saw it Friday.
We had a great time in Roanoke. The 17 run and fired very well! The echo of the N&W whistles on the locomotive were something I will never forget.The best part was the attendance and all of the smiles we encountered during the event.
Kudos to VMT, New Hope Valley, Roanoke NRHS, and NS for hosting such a great event!
Thanks for all of the kind words and compliments! From the NHV side, we were grateful to be able to work with VMT, Roanoke Chapter, and NS on this event. On a personal level, it was neat to be a part of steam 'back in Roanoke'. All of the groups involved were professional (at least during regular hours, haha) and great to work with. The trips may have been short but I think is gave everyone a little sample of steam that hasn't been there for nearly 18 years.
A big thanks to Gary Gray of Roanoke NRHS as he was the mastermind behind this. It is funny to think that that this ides came about with a 'wouldn't it be fun if we......'!!
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