Shortly after the 611 was pulled dead-in-tow to the North Carolina Transportation Museum (NCTM) in Spencer, North Carolina, the mechanical team began restoration. First up was shedding her cover, removing the super heaters, air compressors and other key components. Once the big pieces were removed, the 611 was moved into a bay in the roundhouse at the NCTM so the more detailed work could begin.

The boiler -- the component that produces the steam needed to power the locomotive -- was the main focus in July. The team of mechanical volunteers, led by chief mechanical officer Scott Lindsay of Steam Operations Corporation and Fire Up 611! Committee chairman Preston Claytor, bead-blasted the build up that accumulated in the boiler. Bead blasting is a high-pressure cleaning system that "blasts" small particles on the boiler's surface to dislodge buildup that accumulated due to water scale buildup.

The boiler then underwent a two-day ultrasonic test. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations require this testing as a part of the 1,472 day inspection, and it is an important stage in the restoration process.  Boilers are designed to withstand extremely high pressured steam - 300 psi in 611's case - and the ultrasonic testing ensures that there are no weak or thin spots in the metal.  The data will take weeks to analyze. The restoration is led by Preston Claytor, chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee, and Scott Lindsay, chief mechanical officer and owner of Steam Operations Corporation.

Read more about 611's restoration at fireup611.org and Facebook. You can also follow along on Twitter.

Construction begins this week on  Cotton to Silk, a new and expanded exhibit that 

From Cotton to Silk: The African American Norfolk & Western Heritage exhibit will be based on the oral histories published in this new book.

will tell the stories of the African American experience on the Norfolk & Western and Norfolk Southern railroads-- since the railroad's founding in Roanoke to present day. The new addition will expand and improve the current "African American Heritage on the Norfolk & Western 1930-1970" exhibit that has been at the Museum for 14 years.

The new exhibit will use many of the oral histories of African American railroad veterans and current employees. Their oral histories were recently published in African American Railroad Workers of Roanoke: Oral histories of the Norfolk & Western. (It's on sale in our Museum Store.)

The title of the exhibit -- Cotton to Silk -- comes from one of the stories published in the book. Many African American railroad workers began in unskilled labor jobs, but saw their children and grandchildren grow up to work in professional jobs at the railroad or in other industries previously closed to African Americans.

"We took what we could get and made a life for ourselves," said Al Holland, an African American railroad veteran. "We made cotton, but we took that cotton and made silk."

"The exhibit will include the inspiring stories of these men and women," said Deena Sasser, the Museum's curator. "The exhibit will also include interactive and hands-on opportunities to learn the history of the railroad and the experience of African Americans in both the pre- and post-  Civil Rights eras."

The exhibit is expected to take six to nine months to complete.

August 7-10: Norfolk & Western Historical Society: Archives Work Session. 

August 9: Lynchburg Rail Day. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the event draws together families and model railroading hobbyists. Doors open 9 am at the Boonsboro Ruritan Club, 1065 Coffee Road, Lynchburg, VA. 24503.

August 9: Roanoke Valley Cars and Coffee car show. The club meets the second Saturday of every month from April to October from 8am-10am at the Pino Gelato coffee house located at 3565 Electric Road in Roanoke. Coffee and breakfast fare is available for sale.

August 16: Advance Auto Parts Cruise-In at the Advance Auto Parts Store Support Center. 5008 Airport RD, Roanoke VA 24012. Festivities kick off at 4 pm.  
 
August 23: Norfolk & Western Historical Society: GOB Work Session.

August 23: Roanoke Valley MOPAR Show at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA, from 8 am to 4 pm. The club's annual MOPAR judged show is better than ever!

Monthly - Second and Fourth Thursdays at 7 pm: 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.   
 
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 downstairs at the back of the Museum around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The club also welcomes younger hobbyists 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.
 
For more information about events, attractions, and lodging in and around the region, visit the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.     
 

303 Norfolk Ave
Roanoke, VA 24016