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The Class J 611 is under restoration
 | N&W 611 - Departs VMT on road to restoration!
Courtesy of Railtrek Media |
May 24, 2014: The Class J 611 rolled to restoration
On May 24, 2014, thousands upon thousands of people gathered at the Virginia Museum of Transportation and throughout downtown Roanoke to watch the Class J 611 leave for the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina, for her long-awaited restoration.
At 2 pm, the horn on the Norfolk Southern diesels blew, the bells rang, and slowly the 611 was backed out of her prime spot under the pavilion. The tracks groaned under her weight. Camera shutters snapped and video rolled as people recorded the moment.
What words or pictures can't capture is the joy that cascaded through the Roanoke Valley on that sunny day. The applause, loud and clear and thrilling, could be heard blocks away. Fans in the Railyard, on the bridges and bunched along the fence next to the tracks simultaneously screamed when they saw her rolling. Even before the 611 came into view, the applause and cheering alerted you that she was seconds away.
The moment had arrived. This was no longer a dream. The restoration of the Class J 611 was a reality.
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May 30, 2014: The first wrench is turned
and the restoration is under way
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 | Mr. Moorman turns the wrench, signalling the beginning
of the restoration.
Photo courtesy of Norfolk Southern.
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 | Mr. Moorman removes the bolt.
The restoration is underway!
Photo courtesy of Norfolk Southern.
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 | Patsy and Jim Stump, the vice chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee, stand with Mr. Moorman after the ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Norfolk Southern.
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The 611 arrived at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina, in time for Streamliners at Spencer, an event that brought together 1930s - 1950s streamlined locomotives from all over the United States.
On May 30 -- one day past the 611's 64th birthday -- the first wrench was turned and the first bolt was removed from the iconic locomotive by Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern's Chairman, in a ceremony in front of thousands of rail fans that had gathered for the occasion. The turning of the wrench signaled the beginning of the mechanical restoration.
The story behind the story
Behind the ceremony is a special story, and it involves an old wrench, cherished memories and a tribute to a good father by his grateful son.
The wrench that Mr. Moorman used was a 14-inch Walworth "Genuine Stillson" pipe wrench. The wrench was once owned by James Sylvester Stump, Sr., father of James Stump, the vice chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee. Jim's dad worked for Norfolk & Western from 1934 to 1975; the wrench always in his toolbox, ready and willing to be used on Norfolk & Western locomotives and cars.
"My dad loved the Class J locomotives and he always referred to them as 'locomotives' -- not engines," Jim said. "He was very proud of all the Norfolk & Western's home-built Roanoke steamers."
Jim said that his dad followed all the J's. "During heavy passenger loads around holidays, Dad was often asked to work overtime in the Roanoke 'Coach' Yard adding and changing passenger cars," he said. "The cars he added and removed from the busy passenger trains were behind the 611 and the other J-class locomotives."
Watching Mr. Moorman turn the wrench to symbolize the beginning of the restoration touched Jim and his family deeply. "Little did we know that the Walworth 14 Wrench would once again be recalled to service on a very special Norfolk & Western J Class 611 on a very special day."
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Our volunteers are making exceptional progress!
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After Streamliners at Spencer, the 611 mechanical team wasted no time. Within days, the 611's bullet nose was off and major pieces removed --- including the skirts, sand dome, superheater units, air compressers and other key parts. She's now a skeleton of her former self.
The mechanical team is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers, many who travel hundreds of miles to work on the 611. The volunteers take time away from their families and often use their personal vacation time to work on the restoration. They work long days in the hot sun and high humidity doing what needs to be done to restore the locomotive.
"It's not an easy job and our volunteers have been amazing," said Bev Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. "Because of them, we are way ahead of where we thought we'd be at this time. We are so thankful for their help and dedication to the project."
The restoration is expected to take 9-12 months (though it could be less!). You can follow the restoration on Facebook and at fireup611.org.
If you'd like to volunteer, please visit fireup611.org/howtohelp.
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Photo by Peg McGuire
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Photo by Cheri George
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Photo by Cheri George
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Photo by Preston Claytor
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Photo by Cheri George
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Protect. Preserve. Sustain.
Join the 611 Society
Help us protect, preserve and sustain the Class J 611 for future generations!
 The 611 Society is an annual membership program designed to protect the investment of rail fans around the world - the Class J 611. By becoming a member of the 611 Society, you ensure that the Virginia Museum of Transportation keeps the 611 in top condition so that future generations can experience the beauty and power of the last J-Class locomotive in the world.
Members of the 611 Society will receive the 611 Magazine, a celebration of the history, design, power and beauty of the Class J 611 Steam Passenger Locomotive.
Every issue blends rich articles and amazing photography with the expertise of the historians of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Norfolk & Western Historical Society and the National Railway Historical Society. The 611 Magazine will be published four times per year.
The first issue of the 611 Magazine will be published in September!
Join today and receive a FREE copy of the All Aboard Commemorative Guide! |
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Fundraising continues for the Preservation Facility
The Museum is still fundraising for a climate-controlled preservation facility to house the Class J 611. The preservation facility protects the donations that rail fans worldwide have invested in 611's restoration and is essential to the engine's continuing operations.
Any donation to the Fire Up 611! Capital Campaign places your name on the Wall of Honor in the preservation and education facility. A donation of $611 and above will allow you to purchase advance tickets. Click here for a complete list of donor benefits.
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Fire Up 611!
303 Norfolk Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Thank you for your support!
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© Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
vmt.org | fireup611.org
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