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Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 No. 1218 displayed at O. Winston Link Museum
I totally agree with Matthews comment. What a waste.
I totally agree with Matthews comment. What a waste.
This is great news I for preservationists and fans of static displays, but this beautiful locomotives was brought back to life, it was operational. What a shame to condem this great work of art to a museum floor never to turn a wheel again. Statistics show that when people visit the Grand Canyon, they spend an average of eight minutes looking at the splendor of the canyon, and at museums the average time spent looking at each display is less than thirty seconds. This locomotive need to be traveling the high iron.
With no disrespect meant to the 611, I’d much rather see the 1218 restored and running.
I think O. Winston Link would be dismayed that the museum that bears his name is not trying to make this locomotive operational.
While it would be great fun to see 1218 steaming again at least it is not “on the shelf of Walmart as razor blades” or such. For future generations just to see something that big is important.
Mr. Simon, if you really think there’s no point in preserving a steam locomotive if isn’t running, just write the museum a check for $3,000,000 and you’ll get your wish.
I’ll never understand this attitude. With the exception of UP 844, which was never retired, and a two or three Chinese engines, every steam locomotive operating in America today spent time as static display because somebody thought it was worth saving it from cutting torch. Only later were the resources mustered to put it back into steam. As long as the museum is taking care of the 1218, there’s a chance it might run again. You can’t restore an engine if it doesn’t exist.
Oh, and as for Mr. Link, he seemed like a pretty sensible guy. I think he’d be thrilled and honored that this magnificent machine is being displayed at museum dedicated to his work. Especially considering that a full operating restoration of N&W 611 is about to begin, and N&W 475 is in regular operation on the Strasburg RR. New Haven fans should be so lucky. Not a single New Haven steam locomotive survives, running or not.
Has Mr. Simons actually heard somebody at Norfolk Southern say that 1218 will never run again? Many people said for years that 611 will never run again. Isn’t it logical that a locomotive kept in fresh static display condition will be easier and less expensive to restore to running condition than one that isn’t?
Maybe, just maybe, someday, someone at Norfolk Southern will realize what a mistake was made in the past and will resurrect these two magnificent machines and hopefully copy, somewhat, the way U.P. runs it’s steam program. While N.S. doesn’t have a legacy quite the same as U.P., it does have a heritage every bit as worth keeping and representing with historical machinery.
Maybe, just maybe, someday, someone at Norfolk Southern will realize what a mistake was made in the past and will resurrect these two magnificent machines and hopefully copy, somewhat, the way U.P. runs it’s steam program. While N.S. doesn’t have a legacy quite the same as U.P., it does have a heritage every bit as worth keeping and representing with historical machinery.
I know they cant build new internals & it will happen
I know they cant build new internals & it will happen
Mr Seebeck Virginia transportation museum is an established museum with many display pieces, but the O Winston Link is brand new and they will never let 1218 go
Mr.Tom Turned missed has become derailed from my point. The 1218 was a running locomotive, it had been restored. To return it to a museum is the shame. Remember Cotton Belt 819, and Nickel Plate 759, and Texas and Pacific 610 and Reading 210. These locomotives were all restored and then re-retired to the obscurity of museums. So yes Mr Turne I would prefer to see running locomotives kept out of museums where thousands can enjoy them instead of just a few hundred at the museum.
And Mr Turne Mr Link would be sad, just look at his work. He prefered to preserved running locomotives on film, not static museum displays. If I could write a 3 million dollar check the museum wouldn’t accept it because 1218 is now the cornerstone, centerpiece and crown jewel of there collection. So 1218 will never run again.
Never say Never! Look around, there are steam locomotives all across the country being taken off display to be returned to steam. Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 and Union Pacific 4014 the big ones here. The J-611 will be running soon too. There is a long list of locomotives being rebuilt and I can hardly wait! However, there isn’t enough funding to rebuild them all. Some have to lay dormant until a fan base decides to bring them back. In most cases it starts off with a small group of people getting together with an idea to see it run again. It may be 50 years from now but my guess is that 1218 will run again.
In the meantime please help support restoration with donations of time and/or money. Even those locomotives now running require a lot of money to keep maintained. When you see an excursion announced make plans to ride. My company Railyard Productions has one coming up March 14 2015. railyardproductions.com for more info.