"IT Is No Longer a Matter of 'IF' the Class J 611 Will RUN AGAIN..."

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samfp1943

Member since
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From: South Central,Ks
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"IT Is No Longer a Matter of 'IF' the Class J 611 Will RUN AGAIN..."

Posted by samfp1943 on Friday, October 25, 2013 3:57 PM

Received an E mail today from The Virginian Museum of Transportation, Referencing the state of the " Fire Up 611 Campaign"

[snipped] :

The Virginia Museum of Transportation and the
Fire Up 611! Campaign Achieve
First Fundraising Milestone

Funds are in place to mechanically restore the iconic steam locomotive, fundraising efforts shift to focus on the maintenance facility

Nearly 2000 donations have poured in from across the country and 15 countries, proving the Roanoke-designed and built locomotive is beloved around the world.

"It's no longer a matter of 'if' the Class J 611 will run again,

but 'when' she'll return to excursion service"

[And, in part, from the body of the e-mail]:

"...October 25, 2013 - ROANOKE, VIRGINIA - The Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Fire Up 611! Committee announced today that the Fire Up 611! Capital Campaign raised the funds to mechanically restore the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam passenger locomotive.

Close to 2000 donations have poured in from across the United Statesand 15 foreign countries, demonstrating worldwide appreciation for the Roanoke-designed and built locomotive. With the current funding in place for restoration of the mechanical components for the steam engine, the campaign will turn its focus toward raising funds to provide the maintenance facility that will keep the locomotive running for decades.

"We have achieved a significant milestone, but there is still much work to be done," explains Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. "Our goal from the beginning has been not only to get the 611 up and running, but to also keep it operational for decades."

The fundraising campaign will continue until additional funds are raised to build a maintenance facility. Until those funds are raised, the Class J 611 will remain at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia. .."

More good news for the railfan community! Seems that 2013 and into 23014 is going to be a memorable time span for the preservation of some pretty impressive American Steam Locomotives.

The next 'hill to climb for the Virginai Museum of Transportation is a facility in Roanoke to house the 611 when not on the road and provide services for her there.