ROANOKE, Va. — The Virginia Museum of Transportation has received a $15,000 grant from the Phillips Charitable Foundation Inc. to support firebox maintenance on its Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4, No. 611.
The foundation’s benefactor, Howard W. Phillips, displayed a lifelong love for trains as well as an appreciation for historic preservation. This led to the foundation’s decision to support No. 611.
“We are truly honored to receive this grant from the Phillips Charitable Foundation,” Mendy Flynn, the museum’s executive director, said in a press release. “Their belief in our mission allows us to preserve and operate one of America’s most iconic locomotives, and we are grateful for their partnership in keeping history alive.” Added Zac McGinnis, steam operations manager for No. 611, “This generous grant will help bring the 611 back under steam this fall to the delight of thousands of steam fans worldwide who will once again see her in all her glory.”
The funding will support routine firebox maintenance, a step toward preparing the locomotive for a full return to excursion service, the museum said. The locomotive is slated to run this fall on the Buckingham Branch Railroad [see “Tickets for upcoming fall excursions …,” Trains.com, Aug. 14, 2025]. More information about the locomotive and the Virginia Museum of Transportation is available at the museum website.
The Phillips Charitable Foundation describes itself as a private foundation committed to solving real-world problems and creating measurable improvements in the prosperity, health, and vitality of communities. More information is available at its website.
