Dear Friend, 

We have so much to celebrate!

Thanks to you -- our rail fans -- the  SD45 1776 Bicentennial Locomotive was awarded important honors in the quest to cosmetically restore her to her original red-white-and-blue glory. This is a wonderful honor for a true American icon.

There's more to celebrate! Our Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery is taking off. The holiday shopping season is in full swing in our Museum Shop. And, because we were a recipient of the Taubman Foundation Sustainability Grant, we have many special events planned in the coming months.  Come see us!

Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr.

www.vmt.org 

 

With your help, the 1776 can be cosmetically restored to her original glory!

Thanks to our rail fans from all over the world, the Museum's Norfolk & Western SD45 Diesel Locomotive #1776 was awarded two important honors in the quest to cosmetically restore the Locomotive to her original red, white and blue glory.

The Museum was awarded the prestigious  Trains Magazine Preservation Award at the Association of Railway Museums and Tourist Railway Association's annual celebration in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 12. The award gives the Museum $10,000 toward the preservation and restoration of the 1776 Locomotive.  

Trains Magazine chose the 1776 Locomotive as the sole recipient for 2011 from 120 submissions from all over the United States.

The 1776 Locomotive was also a People's Choice award winner in the Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts competition sponsored by the Virginia Association of Museums and the Virginia Collections Institute.

In the public voting portion of the competition, almost 20,000 votes were cast for the Locomotive - the second highest in the competition. Thank you to all our rail fans who voted for the 1776! You showed Trains Magazine how important the 1776 Locomotive is to our rail heritage.

The locomotive's last restoration occurred more than a decade ago. The Museum originally set a goal of $10,000 to bring back the engine's true colors by July 4, 2012.

The amount needed to restore the 1776 Locomotive was recently reassessed  to $20,000 for a higher-quality, longer lasting paint job and to replace several missing parts. The Museum does not receive any state funding, so funding for restoration comes from you -- our friends and rail fans across the country and around the world.  

It's time for the 1776 to once again symbolize the freedom of our nation! 

About the N&W #1776

In 1974, the Norfolk & Western (N&W) SD45 diesel locomotive 1776 received its distinctive bicentennial paint scheme in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1976. From 1974 through 1978, the engine proudly pulled trains across the extensive N&W system.

The cab of the locomotive featured an eye-catching circle of thirteen stars on a blue field representing the original thirteen colonies that declared their independence from England in 1776. Striking red and white stripes ran the length of the locomotive.

In 1978, the engine was repainted N&W black. It wasn't until after 1991 when Norfolk Southern Corporation donated the 1776 to the Virginia Museum of Transportation that it was once again painted in its patriotic red, white and blue.

The 1776 was built in 1970 by the General Motors Electro-Motive Division, one of 115 of its type purchased by the N&W. The 1776 was retired from service on Leap Day in February 1988.

HOLIDAY EXPRESS MARKET: Kids can shop for mom and dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents. The Market will feature unique items guaranteed to be treasured. Kids can find an affordable and appropriate gift in a safe and fun environment.      

TRAIN RIDES: The Candy Cane Shifter will offer free train rides. (The Candy Cane Shifter is run by the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society. Donations accepted.)    

Blue Skies: Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery taking off 

The planes are hung from the ceiling. Workers are building display walls. Electricians are installing lighting. And an airplane is being cut in two.    

 
 Wait. What?    

A private corporate jet is slated to become the centerpiece of the Museum's new Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery.
 
"Many people never have a chance to fly, and very few ever see the cockpit of a real jet," said Don Moser, the Museum's deputy director who is also a pilot and curator of the new gallery. "By moving the fuselage of this jet into the Museum, visitors will be able to explore the passenger compartment, and hopefully become inspired to pursue their dreams of flight."
 
Workers from Cycle Systems removed the engines and the wings. The jet is being cut in two just in front of the wings. The forward section, plus one of the jet's engines, will be brought into the Museum for display.
 
The 1968 1121-A Jet Commander is a private corporate jet graciously donated to the Museum by William Cranwell. The Museum also thanks the following who have made this project possible: Cycle Systems, WEL Inc. Environmental Services, Landmark Aviation, Roanoke Regional Airport, and the Roanoke Regional Airport Fire Department.