Virginia Museum of Transportation begins  
preliminary design and engineering on the
Preservation facility

When it comes to the Fire Up 611!, the Virginia Museum of Transportation has two goals:
To get her running and to keep her running for decades to come. VMT's Education and Preservation Facility will allow generations to experience the power and beauty of the Class J 611.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation's Board of Directors directed that Crouch Engineering P.C. begin the preliminary design and engineering of the facility at the VMT. The next step is to do a complete survey of the property where the facility will be located.

When completed, the facility will house the Class J 611, exhibits and educational space.

"The Class J 611 is considered by many to be the finest steam passenger locomotive in the world," said J. Preston Claytor, chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee. "The education and preservation facility will help the VMT preserve one of the finest pieces of American engineering."

 

  How to volunteer

Top-notch volunteers will be an integral part of N&W 611's success and future.   

 

Fire Up 611! will have many volunteer opportunities, from the office to the restoration shop.  We are Pete Lerro's 611 in the process of reviewing applications, and matching applicant skills with available positions.  Please consider filling out a volunteer application.  

  

Scott Lindsay, project leader and running gear specialist, will be screen mechanical restoration candidates. The Virginia Museum of Transportation will screen front and back office operation volunteers. Please, no phone or email inquiries. All potential volunteers must fill out an application online.  

 

Focus on Safety and Public Image

 

The Norfolk & Western Class J N&W 611 attracts a high level of public interest and curiosity, and volunteers will have constant contact with the public.   The volunteer staff for 611 will be expected to interface with the public in a professional manner, and observe a stringent safety policy.  Our volunteers will not just be restoring a piece of history; they will be helping to write the next chapter. Along the way all must be ambassadors of goodwill, representing the Virginia Museum of Transportation, as well as partner rail history organizations and host railroads.

 

Due to the physical nature of work, the locomotive crew will have access to areas not normally available to the public. These individuals will be required to complete safety training and undergo a background check. Training sessions will be scheduled in Roanoke and Spencer for those individuals selected prior to the commencement of work.

 

Training for office and train staff will also be conducted as the needs arise.   

 

What does a typical excursion look like?

 

Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam excursions provide an opportunity for Norfolk  Southern customers, employees and their families to experience the railroad. It also allows non-employees to enjoy rail history for a day.  The Class J 611 will be participating in a wonderful program that educates and entertains.  Volunteers will be an instrumental in ensuring that 611's operation is perceived

in a positive manner, and a welcome participant in future 21st Century Steam excursions.  

 

Car Hosts will assist passengers with seating, deliver safety instructions, educate passengers about the route, and clean their car at the end of the trip.   A Crew Chief will manage all Car Hosts to ensure hosts have the tools required for a pleasant trip, and assist with issue resolution if required.  

 

The commissary car will be staffed with friendly volunteers offering Class J 611 merchandise and snacks for sale.

 

The locomotive crew will operate, service, and maintain the locomotive, answer questions, and provide tours when it's safe to do so.   

 

 The 611 volunteers will deliver a streamlined turn-key service to Norfolk Southern, its customers and employees. 


Make a donation. Get your name on the Wall of Honor.  

If you make a donation to Fire Up 611! in any amount, your name will be listed on the Wall of Honor. A donation of $611 or more allows you to purchase excursion tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

To learn more about donor benefits and make your donation, visit 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.  

 

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