Rayman4449 Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 In case you guys didn't hear there is a fundraiser underway to restore the N&W 611 back to full operational condition. They are looking to raise $3.5 million to restore the engine and build a proper maintenance facility to store and work in it. They are looking for another $1.5 mill to ensure it has funds to maintain operations for the foreseeable future. http://fireup611.org/the-611/ I think the key part of this is Norfolk Southern is trying to ramp up it's PR program (like all the other railroads) and has given the clearance for it to run on their rails again. So with this major backing, there should be no doubt that we should see this running in the near future. The time is now to donate! We need to see this engine back in operation!! Raymond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Here is the link to donate for the restoration: http://fireup611.org/donate/ Please consider making a donation even if it's only $5.00. Only take a million railfans donating $5.00 to make this happen so let's go and spread the word! Raymond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoles Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Raymond, You beat me to the punch! I was going to say "Nevermind if MTH is going to make a One-gauge version of a N&W J, we can go see the real thing!!" Still hoping for a model of a J.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Hehe We need to spread the word with everyone we know to get the word out they need donations. We have to do what we can to get this running! I will be present for its first run whenever that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoles Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Hey guys, I'm sure you've all heard that NS sold some fine art and donated $1.5m to this project. Who would have thought that possible 3 years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Great great news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted December 7, 2014 Author Share Posted December 7, 2014 Last run of the 611, 12/7/1994. Exactly 20 years ago to the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAZGRR7315 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 It really is a 'shame' how many $ are spent on re-restorations. Beautiful machines restored and then go back to the wayside for years, then restoration again - like a giant wheel revolution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benshell Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 It really is a 'shame' how many $ are spent on re-restorations. Beautiful machines restored and then go back to the wayside for years, then restoration again - like a giant wheel revolution! I've become increasingly aware that with any operational steam locomotive you never know when it will operate for the last time. Locomotives break down, tourist railroads go broke, and FRA mandated 15-year rebuilds come due. And you just never know if/when the money and talent will be there to rebuild. So when a locomotive you want to see is running, go see it! You might not have another chance. On the flip side, it is encouraging to see the great work being done by talented people at a variety of tourist railroads and museums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoles Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 In this locomotive's case, it was due for major repairs / rebuild following the 1994 season. 1218 was already torn down in Birmingham, AL, and NS was still recovering from lawsuits resulting from injuries sustained by their own employees when 611's train derailed in the Great Dismal Swamp in the late 80s. The key to this restoration is that it is not NS doing the work or maintaining afterwards. It is the museum, and they have put up a great plan for how to handle the locomotive and plan for its continued use. However, if NS wasn't willing to let it run on their tracks, it would have been a huge waste of money and time to restore it to operating condition. I can think of one locomotive (Middletown and Hummelstown ex-CN #91) that is stored serviceable, but has only operated a handful of times. That one is a shame. It would have been cool to see it operate with 89 at Strasburg (not that it was ever even discussed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B44 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Well, look at the UP steam program. Looks like 844 and the Challenger may never run again and who knows if the Big Boy ever will? Things don't seem to be going too well at the UP steam shop. Hope I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 611 was in the news..again!! http://www.wdbj7.com/video/the-611-is-on-track-to-return-in-late-spring-or-early-summer/30931486 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 The folks restoring 611 @ Spencer received a gondola load of coal last week...so they're getting close to re-kindling her fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Just wow, great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Fresh paint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoles Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'm just going to leave this here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Great one Mark as they fired it up!! Here's another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Trains Magazine is doing live streaming of the 611: http://trn.trains.com/photos-videos/webcams/2015/03/watch-fire-up-611-live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Dang I missed that! Jerry Jacobson of The Age of Steam Roundhouse has been donating his full time paid crew to help restore 611. They pulled this off in about 1 year. I'm glad this bunch of folks whomped the mighty UP....2 years and counting for the 844 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Here is the whistle: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153182294105050&set=vb.386595470049&type=2&theater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Another video: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153165775845450&set=vb.96048955449&type=2&theater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 They started insulating/ lagging the boiler From the 611 FB page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Here's the Norfolk Southern steam excursion list http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/news/class-j-611-homecomingtokickoffnorfolksouthern21stcenturysteamex.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 So they have 10 slots for 30min at the throttle for $611.00 on the 611 and I happen to know the person who just bought the last spot. We may have some very interesting video to post here in the next month and no, it's not me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B44 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Sounds good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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