|
Restoration almost halfway complete
The Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Fire Up 611! Committee are pleased to report that the restoration of the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 Steam Passenger Locomotive is approximately 45 percent complete.
"We are pleased with the professionalism, technical expertise and passion our mechanical team and volunteers are bringing to this project," says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
Busy weeks ahead
 | |
Staybolt caps have been inspected and cleaned
and are almost all installed.
|
|
 | |
The original rear flue sheet after it was removed from the 611. The new rear flue sheet will be installed in the
next couple of weeks.
|
|
 | |
The stoker screw on 611's tender.
|
In the next few weeks, the mechanical team, led by Scott Lindsay and Tom Mayer of Steam Operations Corp., will install a new rear flue sheet and finish installing the stay bolt caps. Bob Yuill is continuing the repairs to the superheater units. The air compressors are close to being reassembled and the feed water systems are being inspected and made road ready.
Work also continues on 611's tender. Within the next few weeks the tender's stoker screw and tender deck will be made as good as new.
The big question: When will she be ready to steam?
With the restoration nearly 45 percent complete, all want to know the date when we can Fire Up 611!
"We have not set a completion date just yet," says Preston Claytor, chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee. "The mechanical team is making good progress and we still anticipate the 611 to be ready for Spring 2015 excursions."
|
The 611 Society is an annual membership program designed to protect the investment of rail fans around the world in the Class J 611. By becoming a member of the 611 Society, you help to 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.
Like what you see happening in the roundhouse at the North Carolina Transportation Museum? Then help us build the Preservation and Education Facility at the Virginia Museum of Transportation so we can preserve, maintain and sustain the 611 for generations to come. The Facility will house the 611, allow us to keep her in top operating form and protect the 