ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 will not be pulling any mainline excursions in 2018, officials with the Virginia Museum of Transportation announced Saturday. The iconic 4-8-4 is the latest mainline steam locomotive affected by Amtrak’s new policy regarding excursions.
However, officials with the museum and Forward 611 Committee, the group that helps manage operation of the legendary locomotive, say the public will have chances to see No. 611 under steam this year and that they continue to explore options for future public mainline excursions.
“We are very pleased to announce that we are engaged in substantive conversations about exciting potential 2019 excursions and special appearances for 611,” says Trey Davis, chairman of the Forward 611 Committee. “We will continue to seek opportunities for the public to experience a pivotal piece of American history firsthand, under steam.”
In March, Amtrak announced that it would end operation of most special charters and was adding restrictions to private-car moves. Since then the groups that support Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 and Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449 have canceled previously announced or tentatively planned excursions in 2018.
Davis adds that Amtrak officials have agreed to meet with the No. 611 group later this year to discuss future excursion opportunities.
No. 611 is currently having mechanical work done at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer and it is expected to be back in service later this summer. Officials say they are planning public events with the locomotive that will be announced in the coming months.
“We’re working hard to ensure the public continues to have opportunities to engage with 611 and are planning unique events to provide opportunities to experience 611 under steam in 2018,” says Will Harris, president of the Virginia museum board. “The Virginia Museum of Transportation and NCTM are both planning special events with the locomotive in Roanoke and Spencer, respectively.”
Officials say No. 611 will be in Roanoke on Sept. 29 for the annual Big Lick Train Tug, where teams of six and 12 try to pull the big locomotive by hand.
Officials say they are also focused on raising funds to equip No. 611 with Positive Train Control technology. In the absence of revenue-generating excursions in 2018, the group is asking
supporters to consider a donation via www.fireup611.org.
The Virginia museum also announced on Saturday that significant progress has been made raising the funds needed to build a permanent home for No. 611 in Roanoke. The museum recently obtained a steel building that will form the core of the new 611 Preservation and Education Facility.
“We’re now closer than ever before to providing future generations the opportunity to see steam technology up close, better understand a foundational technology of America’s industrial power, and see firsthand how the railroad helped build our country. Ideally, we would like to break ground before the end of this calendar year,” Harris says
