Legend for display case for N&W J model at Israel Railway Museum

[Flintlock76]

You certainly hit all the high points David, that's the 611 story all right, concise and to the point.

The only thing left out is with the end of Norfolk-Southern's 21st Century Steam program 611 is now in  Roanoke "All dressed up with no place to go!"

On the other hand, might as well leave that part out.  Why depress everyone?

[daveklepper]

I propose the following:

J 611, Built, May 1950, finished May 29, Norfolk & Western’s Roanoke Shops

 

One of 14 Class J 4-8-4s, Nos. 600-613, all homemade.

 

Used on the premium passenger trains between Norfolk and Cincinnati, Pocahuntas, Cvaler, Powhatan Arrow, and Monroe -  Bristol between Southern Railroad segments,  Washington – Memphis Tennessean and the Washington – New Orleans Pelican, diesels on the Southern)

More than 5,100 hp, speeds up to 110 mph.

 

The adoption of diesel power retired No. 611 in 1959

 

Donated it to a Roanoke city park in 1963

 

N&W management decided to restore No. 611 in 1982

 

Excursions under the new Norfolk Southern Corp. 1982-1994.  Then moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke 

611 restoration 

 

2013:  The Virginia Museum of Transportation organized the Fire Up 611! Committee, $3 million raised initially.   Completion required additional funds.

 

Moved to Spencer, N.C.,roundhouse at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, the former primary steam shops of  the Southern Railraod.  (Norfolk Southern is a combination of several railroads, mainly the Norfolk and Western and the Southern.)

 

Returned to steam on March 31, 2015  Excursions in Virginia in June and July of that year.  Occasional excursions since.  Home at special building at Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.  This building involved additional fund-rasing.