What's happening with the 611?

[jnohallman]

Could it be?

http://www.dailypilot.com/videogalle...ence-on-Friday

Jon

[bigbassloyd]

I like trains

Loyd L.

[Joe the Photog]

They went live! From Richmond?! About a steam engine in Roanoke? LOL Here's what I think as someone who has worked in media. No way a TV station would speculate that wildly about something unless they had been told it's safe. Not unless you want to look like a moron today. When I was feelancing for the local paper and trying to work leads on the L&C takeover of the SB Line in South Carolina, I routinely got "No comment" replies. So finally I asked, "Look, can you give me something off the record that I can't use? Is this a story I should follow up on?" Pause. "Yes, follow up on it." Followed by "No comment." I'd be hard pressed to believe a news media station would go live with speculation this wild unless they had been told it was safe to do so.

At least, that's my theory.

[bigbassloyd]

That's the same fellow that interviewed me in Clifton Forge about 614. Closet foamer I think

Loyd L.

[Joe the Photog]

fireup611.org

I just took the survey. Looks like the victory dance I was planning might have to wait at least for a little while.

[J]

Associated Press
February 23, 2013 Saturday 3:11 PM GMT
Va museum launches study to revive steam engine
ROANOKE Va. (AP) --- The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke is studying what it will take to revive a 1950s steam locomotive.
Officials launched a study Friday to look at the cost of making repairs and upgrades to the historic Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam engine.
The Roanoke Times reports that the committee also will study what sort of financial strain a restoration would put on the museum's day-to-day operations.
A report is expected in about a month and a half.
The 611 has been housed at the museum since 1962. It was given to the city of Roanoke in 1982 as a centennial gift from the Norfolk Southern. Officials then gave it to the museum in April 2012.
It is considered the most modern steam locomotive in existence.

[jnohallman]

And here's the announcement everyone has been waiting for (and expecting) ever since this business started:

http://fireup611.org/the-campaign/th...ibility-study/

Jon

[Joe the Photog]

I'm stoked about the NCTM being where they rebuild her.

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by Joe the Photog

I'm stoked about the NCTM being where they rebuild her.

Why? They dont have the best track record. They have been working on 2 much less difficult projects for a couple years with no results.

I hope at bare minimum they dont completely ruin the 611

[jnohallman]

Originally Posted by troy12n

Why? They dont have the best track record. They have been working on 2 much less difficult projects for a couple years with no results.

I hope at bare minimum they dont completely ruin the 611

Ah, there's the Troy we all know and love - completely and utterly pessimistic about everything. You'd think NCTM was Steamtown and the 611 was the 1361 to hear him talk . . . .

Jon

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by jnohallman

Ah, there's the Troy we all know and love - completely and utterly pessimistic about everything. You'd think NCTM was Steamtown and the 611 was the 1361 to hear him talk . . . .

Jon

Again, they dont have the best track record. I would feel better about TVRM doing it to be honest with you.

[jnohallman]

Originally Posted by troy12n

Again, they dont have the best track record. I would feel better about TVRM doing it to be honest with you.

I'd feel better about Strasburg doing it. But hey, it's not our money.

Jon

[Joe the Photog]

It's not like they're going to send the 611 to Spencer, turn over the keys and just leave it. They're bringing in some of their own people. Troy, you don't actually have to be Debbie Downer on everything