It was unseasonably hot for the tail end of September, the sky was overcast and dust kicked up from the wind mixed with dark train smoke, but still dozens of people gathered around the historic Norfolk and Western 611 steam engine just moments before the VIP/media excursion Thursday, Sept. 25, the first run of this fall’s excursions.
Representatives of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, which owns the 611, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, rededicated the engine with the unveiling of a new plaque on the coal car that replaced a plaque from 1984.
“The 611 was declared a National Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1984,” said Mendy Flynn, executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, after the ceremony.
It was rededicated to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 611 being built.
“VMT and ASME collaboratively agreed after 41 years, it was time to rededicate the engine and introduce it to a whole new generation of people in the mechanical world,” she said.
Joseph Radizek, from the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, thanked the volunteers that “poured in to keep it the way it is and allowed us to see it today.”
“We’re proud, as the Virginia Museum of Transportation, to be the curator of the world’s finest steam locomotive, as rededicated today,” VMT board of directors member Tom Cox said. “It’s a testimony to the grit and determination, knowledge and ability of a lot of men and women, even before the age of computers. And I think it’s really important for us all to realize what can be done with just a slide rule, a pencil, and a table, because that’s where this came from.” The 611 has now completed its first two weekends pulling this fall’s train excursions based in Goshen, with three more to go.
However, the Virginia Museum of Transportation reported on its Facebook page that the steam engine experienced a mechanical issue on Saturday that required staff to take her out of service temporarily.
“While it’s never easy to make the decision to not run the locomotive, these situations are a part of historical railroading especially when it comes to operating steam,” according to the post.
“Thankfully, our talented Virginia Museum of Transportation/ 611 mechanical crew rose to the occasion with their signature ‘whatever it takes’ attitude,” the post continued. “Through long hours, expert troubleshooting, and hands-on repair work, they brought the 611 back to life returning her to full service just in time for Sunday’s trips… “We were all disappointed by Saturday’s setback but the support we received during and after the repairs was truly astounding. To everyone who sent words of encouragement: thank you. Your kindness reminds us exactly why we do what we do.”
TOM COX AND JOSEPH RADIZEK remove the cover from the rededication plaque on the coal car of the 611 steam engine. (Mary Woodson photo)
