Roanoke is rolling out the red carpet for a locomotive tomorrow. . .but it's not just any locomotive. The N&W Class J 611 is the only passenger locomotive of its class left in existence. It rolled out of Roanoke's east end shops May 29th, 1950 at a cost of more than $251,000. Now people from across the globe have contributed about $3 million to bring the 611 back to life. It's been in Spencer, North Carolina for the past year undergoing repairs but tomorrow makes its triumphant return to the Star City. Tomorrow's celebration at the former N&W Passenger Station is free.
An acclaimed example of Virginia history thundered its way home over the weekend to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. It now prepares to lead excursions, but its long-term ability to do so is largely out of the museum’s control.
In every town, at every crossing, and almost every clearing for 200 miles - they waited, watched and waved as the Roanoke-built, freshly-restored Norfolk and Western 611 made its homeward journey Saturday from the North Carolina Transportation Museum.
Among those on board, Wick Moorman in his final days as Norfolk Southern CEO - widely praised for encouraging the restoration, including a $1.5 million corporate contribution. And looking out the window as all those people watched the 6-11 roll by, Moorman said that's the return on investment.
“Making people aware of the railroad business, to tell our story and tell about how important we are today and about our wonderful history, I think is a great thing for not only for Norfolk Southern but the industry. The more friends we create out there, the better off our company is.”
The 6-11 is widely described as among the best-designed and most beautiful passenger steam locomotives ever built. It will lead excursions in coming weekends from Manassas, Lynchburg and Roanoke. Beyond that, nothing is certain. Railroads are under no requirements to run such excursions. But for the next five weeks, at least, the 6-11 will roll across many parts of Virginia.
