N&W Class J #611 Being Considered for a POSSIBLE Restoration...

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Surprised that no one has started a thread on this already…

I almost posted this in the “Steam and Preservation” section, but I figured more would see it here…

I’m sure most of you have heard the news on the possibility of N&W Class J #611 being restored. From what I understand, the museum has formed a team of experts (one of those being TRAINS Magazine’s own Jim Wrinn) who will crunch the numbers and analyse the locomotive to see if a restoration is even possible. If restoration IS a possibility, then the project will move into the funding and planning stage.

From what I understand, one of the factors involved in a possible restoration is weather or not anyone has any interest in riding excursions behind the 611, or if anyone is interested in helping to get her restored. So here is the link to the official “Fire up the 611” website:

http://www.fireup611.org/main/index.php

For our friends who are on Facebook, here is the Facebook link:

http://www.fireup611.org/main/index.php

Make sure to “Like” and “Share”! ^^^

On the website, you can subscribe to the newsletter, and also learn how you can make a contribution to the project and learn facts about the 611 and the N&W J-Class engines.

So here’s is to getting the “Thoroughbred of Steam” back on the high iron![:D][:D][:D][swg]

-Justin

2

There’s too many "what ifs" to really get excited. Announcement really didn’t live up to the hype.

3

I am not generally cynical, at least not entirely, but I would feel more excited about this if the rumours or announcement were prefaced by accepted information detailing a genuine interest in a sustaining public. By that I mean I would expect to see a statement up front stating that several museums and trains clubs or enthusiast groups were much more vocal about the possibility or its desirability in recent months, and that many more inquiries were coming in from people wondering why there isn’t a large excursion steam train run by NS.

Said still one more way, Mr. Wrinn and friends will have to have a problem defined and a sensible answer to offer those who would solve that problem…ideally with dough.

Crandell

4

There is a standing offer from NS, now a few years old, that if the community can raise $1M for the VMT, NS will match it. I Wonder if it would be in play for this project?