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The Lake Pearl named one of
Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts
The Lake Pearl was chosen as one of Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts in a competition sponsored by the Virginia Association of Museums.
Virginia's Top 10 Endangered competition is designed to create awareness of the necessity of preserving artifacts in the care of museums, libraries, and archives throughout Virginia and Washington, DC. With over 120,000 public votes and the review of a professional collections care review panel, the selected artifacts help share the significant stories of our local communities, our state, and the nation.
"It's wonderful to see a panel of experts understand the importance of our country's rail heritage," said Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., VMT's executive director. "The Lake Pearl is a jewel and tells a beautiful story of how people traveled and expanded our nation."
The program is coordinated by the Virginia Association of Museums, under the Virginia Collections Initiative (VCI), which is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum & Library Services.
About the Lake Pearl
The Museum nominated the Lake Pearl because of its allure, beauty and historical significance. The Pullman car was a deluxe sleeper from the golden age of passenger rail travel. It was designed for multi-day travel across the country and offered rail passengers luxury, comfort and status. 
A Pullman sleeper tells a powerful story of life in America: romantic stories of luxurious passenger travel, economic stories of the growth of commerce made possible by overnight travel, and, most significantly, political stories of the rise of the civil rights movement.
The restoration of the Lake Pearl is a multi-year project. The Museum started the process this year with feasibility studies, including testing the interior paint and materials for lead and other environmental hazards. "All told, this restoration, done right and cutting no corners, could cost as much as $100,000," Fitzpatrick says.
The Museum was recently given a $25,000 donation from a private donor to kick-start the restoration process and fundraising drive.
Our friends in the Virginia Rail Heritage Region
also win important honors
Allegheny Historical Society's "Merry Widow," Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Locomotive 701, circa 1911, was also chosen as one of Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts
and also earned a People's Choice Award in the voting competition.
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Aubrey Wiley, Virginian Railway historian and author, will be in the
Rail Yard answering questions and telling amazing stories.
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Virginian Rail Day
Celebrating the historic Virginian Railway
With historian and author Aubrey Wiley
Saturday, September 22, 2012
10 am to 5 pm
The Virginian Railway was a remarkable railroad. Completed in 1909, the railroad's purpose was to transport coal from southern West Virginia to the port at Hampton Roads.
But the Virginian Railway became so much more! According to local Virginian Railway historian Aubrey Wiley, the Virginian Railway is the story of a smaller company taking on big business (and winning) early in the 20th century. It was a time when many railroads were under the common control of a few powerful developers, who took on competitors without antitrust restraint.
The Virginian Railway merged into the Norfolk & Western in 1959 but has never been forgotten. Former Virginian employees and historians will be on hand to share stories and interpret the Virginian equipment and artifacts in our collection.
- Virginian Class SA #4, the only Virginian steam engine still in existence (1910)
- Virginian GE EL-C #135, an electric engine known as the Rectifier (1956)
- Virginian Class C-10 Caboose #321 (1949)
- the Ellett (VA) Virginian Railway operator's station
- the Virginian gallery in the Museum which displays VGN artifacts and photos
On view for Virginian Day only will be the 90-year-old Virginian Sheffield motor car recently restored by Aubrey Wiley. The car will be presented in "living history" fashion and outfitted as though it is in service in the mid 1950s, complete with a signal maintainer of the period.
Regular admission rates apply. FREE parking along the front of the Museum. Limited parking available in the Brandon Parking Lot across from the Museum for a nominal fee.
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From our Executive DirectorRestoring Virginia's Rail Heritage --
one piece at a time
The Virginia Museum of Transportation
 | The N&W #6 Locomotive, Panama Canal Mule and the Virginian Caboose
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plays an important role in telling Roanoke's unique story. As the Commonwealth of Virginia's official transportation museum, it also exists to preserve Virginia's transportation history.
We are working hard to fulfill that mission by cosmetically and fully restoring as much of our rolling rail stock as possible.
In the next few months, we'll be cosmetically restoring the Norfolk & Western Locomotive #6 and the Virginian Railway #4, two of the oldest locomotives in our collection.
We'll also be painting the Virginian and Norfolk & Western cabooses! The Panama Canal Mule is also due for her makeover.
When these units are completed, we will have cosmetically restored over 50 percent of our collection in the past 18 months.
By restoring our collection, we are honoring the workers whose talents created the transportation marvels in our collection. As a partner in the "Virginia's Rail Heritage Region," it is our privilege to preserve their stories and accomplishments for future generations.
Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr.
Executive Director
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Preschool Pufferbellies at the VMT
Hands-on. Fun. Educational. Memorable.
For preschoolers and their caregivers.
Beginning Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Tuesdays AND Wednesdays, 10 am to 11 am
Designed for 3-5 year olds, our little engineers will learn and play. They'll create and explore within the VMT classroom and galleries. They'll meet new friends all while touching trains, cars and planes. Activities include songs, stories, real collections, crafts and transportation toys. There's a new topic every week!
WHEN: Every Tuesday and Wednesday starting October 2. The program starts at 10 am. **Follows the Roanoke City School calendar**
Cost: $5 per member student/$10 per non-member student/FREE for ADULTS
Contact: Courtney Plaster, Education Coordinator at cplaster@vmt.org.
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Experience the beauty of a
Blue Ridge Autumn from the comfort of a train!
Again this year, the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, with cooperation from Norfolk Southern and Amtrak, is pleased to offer two fine excursion trains in Southwest Virginia.
The excursions will roll through scenic Virginia vistas on the weekend of November 10-11. On Saturday, November 10, an excursion train will depart the former N&W passenger station in Roanoke bound for historic Abingdon, Virginia. On Sunday, November 11, the train will travel to lovely Shenandoah, north of Roanoke, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Since this weekend is Veteran's Day the Chapter is pleased to offer a 10 percent discount on a veteran's ticket.
Tickets are on sale now! Coach, Dome Class, Lounge Car Class are ONLY sold via the Roanoke Chapter NRHS: call 540-774-0611. Coach tickets are available online, or by calling the O. Winston Link Museum at 540-982-5465 or the Virginia Museum of Transportation at 540-342-5670. These trips are the major fundraiser for Roanoke Chapter National Railway Historical Society, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation of rail history in Western Virginia. Funds raised from past excursions have been used in the restoration of Roanoke's Virginian Railway Passenger Station and the Museum's Chesapeake Western engine 662. |
Wings Over Virginia readying
for takeoff on Saturday, November 17!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 17! The Virginia Museum of Transportation is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of our new Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery with all new exhibits and special activities.
This gallery will trace the history and future of aviation in Virginia. Explore hands-on exhibits and videos to understand the science of flight and aviation technology. Listen to the heroic stories of our regional military and civilian aviators who have impacted our history. Learn about the air ambulance service and the team that saves lives every day. Climb aboard a jet to see inside a real cockpit, and imagine being a pilot.
Over the past two years, the Museum conducted a survey and public input process and received opinions from over 1,000 individuals. As the first new gallery in years, Wings Over Virginia will embody the Museum's new design philosophy which is based on what we heard from you. Consequently, the exhibits in this gallery will incorporate more educational components and more personal stories.
We need your help to make this gallery the best it can be! Please donate securely online .
Your gift will help educate current and future generations and is tax deductible as allowed by law. We're also still looking for a P&W R-985 radial engine.
If you have any questions, please check our web site or email Don Moser or call 540-342-5670 ext 103.
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Wow!
Norfolk Southern
30th Anniversary Heritage Pin Set
 Norfolk Southern's heritage units are beautiful, and so are these pins!
All 20 units are represented in this collection that was specially created for Norfolk Southern's 30th anniversary. The presentation box measures 7 ½ inches x 8 ½ inches.
The pins are approximately 1 inch x 1 inch depending on shape. The inside cover of the box gives a brief history of each railroad represented. The box is black and comes in a white protective sleeve.
This collection is a MUST for all rail fans!
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Give a train to someone you
love this holiday season! (Or a car. Or a plane.)
A membership to the Virginia Museum of Transportation is the perfect gift for your train lover, car enthusiast or flight fanatic. With a membership, your loved ones can enjoy special events, discounts on birthday parties and summer camps, special offers in our Museum Store and advanced notice of upcoming exhibits and fun!
Members can also purchase Anybody Passes to entertain family and friends! Anybody Passes allow our members to bring their friends and family to the Museum at a deeply discounted rate. For just $20 you can add 10 Anybody Passes to your Membership. No more worries about what to do with your out-of-town guests or a houseful of friends! Anybody Passes give your guests a day they won't forget!
You can purchase VMT Memberships and Anybody Passes online or by calling 540-342-5670 ext. 106.
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We had a great summer!
We hope you had as much fun as we did!
It started at RailFest in May. Steam returned to Roanoke! Did you hear the whistle blowing? A sand sculpture in our Rail Yard!
Star City Motor Madness! (The Bennett Family graciously donated a beautiful Model T to the Museum!) 
The 662 rolled into our Rail Yard after a three-year restoration by the
Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society
The 1776 rolled home after her cosmetic restoration!
(Not pictured: We also painted the 1776 trailer!)
Summer Camps were a lot of fun for kids (and adults)!
Our Safety Day was a big hit! (Little ones got a chance to experience a
school bus before the first day of school!)
Stay tuned for more fun this Fall and Winter!
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Happenings: Road. Rail. Air.
Sunday, September 16: The Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will hold its summer/fall picnic on Sunday September 16, at the English Park in Altavista, VA.
Saturday, September 22: The O. Winston Link Museum: Link was meticulous about the lighting for his images. By shooting at night he was able to control and manipulate the lighting to get the photo he visualized. Join us as we examine the ways in which Mr. Link set the lighting for particular photographs, and as we head out to put his techniques to use. Be prepared to do some walking and to tackle the challenge of photographing at night. This workshop will meet at the O. Winston Link Museum at 7 p.m., and may have to be rescheduled to accommodate for weather. Free for members, $15 for non-members
Please call to reserve your spot at 540.982.LINK
Wednesday, September 26: The Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will have a fun meeting -- no business -- at Charlie's Restaurant at 6 pm.
Monthly -- Second and Fourth Thursdays:The International Plastic Modelers' Society, Roanoke Valley Chapter hosts building and business meetings at the Museum each month, and competes in area shows. The entrance is on the back of the Museum just off the Rail Walk and around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket. 7 pm. For information, email Tim Ward, Chapter President.
Monthly - Every third Saturday from April - October from 5 pm to 9 pm:
Advance Auto Parts Pit Stop Cruise In. Hosted by Advance Auto Parts and the Roanoke Valley MOPAR Club. Come see hundreds of automobiles -- everything from antiques to modern muscle. Free to attend. Free to show your car. Held in the parking lot of the Advance Auto Parts Corporate Offices. Food, music and fun.
Weekly - Tuesdays: The Roanoke Valley Model Engineers work on their ON30, HO, Lionel and N scale layouts each week in the basement of the Museum. The entrance is at the back of the Museum around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket. 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The club also invites younger members ages 8 - 18 to learn about model railroading. New members welcome!
Monthly - Second Wednesday: Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society meets at Charley's Restaurant, 707 Graves Mills Road, Lynchburg, VA. Dinner begins at 6 pm. Official chapter meeting begins at 7:30 pm.
Monthly - Third Thursday: Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society meets in the auditorium at the O. Winston Link Museum at 7:30 pm.
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