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VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION
April 2011
QUICK LINKS
IN THIS ISSUE
Roanoke Rail Day May 14
Become a member today
Roanoke Chapter spring rail excursion
Blue Ridge Chapter National Train Day excursion
Museum Store Specials
Great events in Virginia's Rail Heritage Region
Greetings!

If you visit during the week in April and May, you may have a chance to catch the excitement of some of Roanoke's youngest rail fans! It's field trip season, and we are introducing every Roanoke City kindergartener to our community's great transportation heritage.

The curriculum covers all content areas. Children practice writing in our Advance Auto Parts Automotive Gallery, learn about coal and energy in our rail gallery, count sets and practice math in our circus exhibit, and explore history throughout the Museum. They climb aboard trains and learn track crossing safety.

We are very grateful to Susan Loveman, our museum educator, and her wonderful team of volunteers who lead the school tours. We also thank the City of Roanoke and the Roanoke City Public Schools for the funding that made this program possible this year.

Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr. Virginia Museum of Transportation
Executive Director
Mark your calendars for Roanoke Rail Day, May 14!
 

Roanoke's rail museums are teaming up for Roanoke Rail Day on May 14 and offering a supersized day of fun for train fans of all ages.

Virginian 135
Virginian EL-C 135

This rail heritage celebration is held jointly with the O. Winston Link Museum. The day will feature special Norfolk Southern rail equipment including the exhibit car and a simulator; model trains; rides; kids' activities; blacksmithing, and more. The Archives of the Norfolk & Western Historical Society will also be open.

 

Special daylong activities at the Virginia Museum of Transportation include rides by the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society with two of the chapter's restored, historic diesel locomotives on display. Meet Andy Fletcher, the Museum's rail artist in residence. From 10-2, there will be blacksmithing demonstrations in the Rail Yard and the Roanoke Valley Model Engineers will open their N, HO, and ON3 layouts for visitors.

 

The Virginia Museum of Transportation is loaning the "Rectifier", an unusual Virginian EL-C 135 electric locomotive to the O. Winston Link Museum to serve as the centerpiece of the Link Museum's celebration.

 

Roanoke Rail DayFrom 10am to 2 pm, the O. Winston Link Museum will feature the Virginian Railway EL-C 135, 1/8 scale train rides, telegraphy demonstrations, antique model trains, railroad photography, slideshows, children's activities, face painting, food and beverages, a photobooth and more. That evening, the Link Museum will hold a night photo shoot. $50 per person. Reservations are required: call 540-982-5465 for more information.

 

In addition, The James N. Gillum Archives of the Norfolk & Western Historical Society will be open 8am to 4pm. The Archives is a repository of documents covering over a century and a half of railroad history. These documents primarily include mechanical and engineering drawings and photographic images in many formats. There is no admission charge to visit the Archives.

 

Roanoke Rail Day is made possible by Norfolk Southern Corporation, Amsted, Kroger, Timken, Loram, Harsco, David and Susan Goode, xpedx, Star Headlight and Lantern, and Roanoke Gas; volunteers from the Norfolk & Western Historical Society and the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society; and media sponsors Wheeler Broadcasting and WDBJ-7.

C&O 614 closeupIt's time for our spring membership drive: please join us!

 

The weather is getting warmer and you will be looking for things to do that are fun and economical! A Virginia Museum of Transportation membership entitles you to unlimited free visits for a year. Please join today online or call 540-342-5670 ext. 106 and ask for Barbara Wise.

 

Members also receive discounts in our Museum and On-line Stores and on birthday parties, as well as invitations to special events. Your membership is tax-deductible as we are a nonprofit organization.

 

A membership is the most economical way to take in all the changing exhibits and special events. For a limited time, see the C&O 614 steam locomotive in our Railyard next to the N&W Class J 611 and Class A 1218 that are the permanent stars of our steam locomotive collection. The Advance Auto Parts Automotive Gallery features an ever-changing display of automobiles and other vehicles. Construction has begun on our Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery, and we are restoring the N&W Safety Car which will be a 48-seat theatre.

 

Even though the Museum is Virginia's Official Transportation Museum, we receive no state funding. We are very grateful for the generosity of our members and donors that keeps great things happening here!

 

Roanoke Chapter NRHSRoanoke Chapter, NRHS Washington DC Spring Excursion

 

On Wednesday, April 20, the Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society is sponsoring an Amtrak excursion from Lynchburg, VA to Washington, DC, with connecting bus service to and from Roanoke. Buses will board at the Virginia Museum of Transportation beginning at 5:15 am and return at 10 pm.

 
To purchase tickets by credit or debit card, call the Roanoke Chapter NRHS at 540-774-0611. For more information or details about buying tickets by mail, click here. 

 

Passengers may de-train at Alexandria at 11:05 am or Washington Union Station at 11:20. The layover in Washington allows you almost five hours for lunch and sightseeing on your own! The trip will include over 300 miles of scenic train travel on former Southern Railway tracks. Tickets are $115 for adults, $105 for seniors age 62 and over, and $65 for youth under age 16. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and will likely sell out.

National Train DayBlue Ridge Chapter, NRHS National Train Day Excursion

 

To celebrate National Train Day and Amtrak's 40th Anniversary, the Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS is sponsoring a Circle Tour Around Virginia, a bus and train trip on Saturday, May 7. The bus leaves Lynchburg at 5:45am for Richmond. Enjoy about an hour for sightseeing in Richmond before boarding Amtrak to Alexandria or Washington, DC over the former RF&P tracks.

 

Passengers opting for the nation's capital will arrive at Union Station at 12:20pm and can spend the afternoon immersed in the many special exhibits and equipment displays on hand for the Train Day/Amtrak's Anniversary festivities. The return trip by train arrives in Lynchburg at 7:39pm.

 

The Chapter recommends first reserving your seat on the bus by contacting Trip Coordinator Lee Hawkins at (c) 434-610-2429 or (w) 434-522-6704. Cost for the bus is $35. Then buy your Amtrak ticket online or contact Amtrak Coordinator Garland Harper at (w) 434-847-8247, Wednesday through Sunday evenings. For more information, visit the Chapter's web site.

 

Special discounts in our Museum Store and On-Line Store

 

Currently, our online store is featuring new and unique items, including a special collection of 614 and C&O merchandise. Our grand opening special is still in effect. Shop now and receive a 10% discount on your entire purchase!

 

Andy Fletcher's Thoroughbreds of SteamAndy Fletcher's commemorative poster of the N&W 611, N&W 1218, and C&O 614 (pictured at right) has almost sold out. Suitable for framing, this 11" x 17" poster would make a great addition to any room. $9.99, available only at the Virginia Museum of Transportation and our Online Store

 

Also on sale for a limited time: Trainz Simulator 2010: Engineers Edition Deluxe. $34.99 (was $54.99!) On your PC, build and customize the railroad of your dreams with steam, diesel and electric trains, and trams, boats and cars and interactive industries. This edition also includes Great American Train Ride, a 4-DVD collection of rail videos that explore the legendary trains and lines that span America from the Midwest to the snowcapped mountains of Alaska.

More great things to do in Virginia's Rail Heritage Region!  
 
 
Through April 17: The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society holds its Spring Archives Work Session.

April 15-July 29: Dominion Derby Girls, a photography exhibit by Glen McClure, crashes into the O. Winston Link Museum's trackside gallery. Come for the Opening Reception featuring Roanoke's own Star City Roller Girls on April 15, 7-9pm. $5/Link members are free. At 7:30, John Reburn hosts Beyond the Frame, an interview with the artist. Refreshments will be served.

April 21: The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society holds its monthly meeting at 7:30pm at the O. Winston Link Museum. Program will be an interesting look at Norfolk Southern's East Carolina Business Unit by Blue Ridge Chapter member Dale Diacont.

 

Coming up May 14: Roanoke Rail Day at the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum with activities for all ages, and the Alleghany Railroad Heritage Festival at the C&O Railway Heritage Center, Clifton Forge. 
 
Ongoing, Tuesdays: The Roanoke Valley Model Engineers' ON3, HO, and N scale layouts are located in the basement of the Museum. The entrance is at the back of the Museum around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket. 6:30-8pm. New members welcome. For information, call Rick Anderson at Rick's Hobby Shop: 540-362-7033.

 

For more information about events, attractions, and lodging in and around the region, visit the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.