Happy New Year from the Fire Up 611! Committee

and the Virginia Museum of Transportation!
  
We have raised $2.1 million toward our $3.5 million goal to restore the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 Steam Passenger Locomotive. We have received donations from 16 countries and every state in the nation underscoring the popularity of our iconic 4-8-4 around the world.

 

On November 22, Norfolk Southern donated $1.5 million to the campaign, bringing us much closer toward our goal. Norfolk Southern has not only given us a generous monetary contribution, they are helping us make the operation of the Class J 611 possible.  Thank you, Norfolk Southern, for helping to bring the dream closer to reality for the many fans of 611.

 

   

 

When will the engine move to the North Carolina
Transportation Museum for restoration?  

 

We are working hard to secure the $3.5 million needed for our 611 restoration and  maintenance facility. The Fire Up 611! Committee is busy behind the scenes visiting potential donors. The timeline to complete this campaign is based on getting to $3.5 million.  The 611 will move to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina for restoration as soon as we reach the $3.5 million goal. 

 

The Committee is not waiting for the move to start their preliminary work. They are reviewing engineering drawings from the archives of the Norfolk & Western Historical Society and the VMT. We want to be ready to go as soon as we reach our $3.5 million goal. 

 

Make your donation at fireup611.org or mail your donation to:

Virginia Museum of Transportation  

Fire Up 611!  

303 Norfolk Avenue SW

Roanoke, VA 24016

If you have questions about making a donation, please call Fran Ferguson, VMT's Director of Development, at 540-342-5670 (ext. 105) or email fferguson@vmt.org.  



The Virginia Museum of Transportation recently opened its new online store! You'll find new Fire Up 611 apparel and merchandise. Check back often! Museum staff are working hard to add new items every month.

Visit shop.vmt.org and shop today!

And remember, only the Museum Store has the OFFICIAL Fire Up 611! items for sale. If you're not buying your Fire Up 611! items from the Museum Store, then your purchase may not support VMT's efforts to restore the N&W Class J 611.

Thank you, Cheri George!

Cheri George, a fireman on the 611 excursions in the 1990s, compiled this newsletter. Cheri is one of the 611's biggest fans and serves on the Fire Up 611! Committee. Thank you, Cheri!  

 

How to Contact Key Members of Fire Up 611!  

Donations to Fire Up 611!:  
Fran Ferguson, Director of Development 
Virginia Museum of Transportation 

540-342-5670 

 

Media Inquiries: 

Peg McGuire 

Director of Communications
Virginia Museum of Transportation

pmcguire@vmt.org  

540-342-5670

 

Fire Up 611! Committee Chairman:

Preston Claytor

pclaytor@fireup611.org

 

Fire Up 611! Committee Vice Chairman:
James Stump

jstump@fireup611.org  

 

Executive Director, Virginia Museum of Transportation

Bev Fitzpatrick, Jr.  

bfitzpatrick@vmt.org