For those that haven't heard about this:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2398323-12/norfolk-southern-donates-15-million-for-611-steam.html">http://www.roanoke.com/news/2398323-12/ ... steam.html</a><!-- m -->
Charlie
That's cool 8-) Thanks for the heads up Charlie, I hadn't heard.
Cheers,
Kev
That's a wonderful gesture.
But No. 611 still won't move until the rest of the funds are secured.
railohio Wrote:But No. 611 still won't move until the rest of the funds are secured.
True enough, but at least with the funds they now have they can get work done whilst raising the remainder.
Cheers,
Kev
And NS is the same outfit that auction off all the tools and spare parts for 611 and 1218 and was cussed for killing the steam program by the railfan community..
611 may be fired up in the future but,I doubt if it will ever return to its former main line excursion glory.
Even 765 was a one time deal for NS 30th anniversary..
I can't get excited over firing up 611 for museum running.
765 has run NS excursions for two years now, but public and employee-only, and it will have another full schedule of runs in 2014 as well. 611 and 4501 are coming back specifically to be part of the NS steam program.
Kev1340 Wrote:True enough, but at least with the funds they now have they can get work done whilst raising the remainder.
Only minimal work will be done until all of the funds are in place. That includes the restoration, maintenence shop in Roanoke, and an endowment for future operation. The initial restoration will take place in North Carolina.
That is a nice thing the did, but it's hard to believe that it's going to take $5,000,000 for total restoration costs. That's probably a good ten or more times the original build costs. Wow! But then again, I'd hate to see it go on the scrap pile.
ezdays Wrote:That is a nice thing the did, but it's hard to believe that it's going to take $5,000,000 for total restoration costs. That's probably a good ten or more times the original build costs. Wow! But then again, I'd hate to see it go on the scrap pile.
The restoration of the locomotive will run $500,000-$1 million. The rest is for a new shop in Roanoke and an endowment for future operation.
railohio Wrote:765 has run NS excursions for two years now, but public and employee-only, and it will have another full schedule of runs in 2014 as well. 611 and 4501 are coming back specifically to be part of the NS steam program.
I don't think I will hold my breath on NS running many excursions beyond 2014..I just don't see the return of NS steam excursions.
Still 765 is a one time deal with limited runs..We know 765 went to Cuyahoga Valley and stayed there for 2 weeks of weekend running and AFAIK hasn't turn a wheel on the main line since its return trip to Ft.Wayne.