The folks at Strasburg intimate they have knowledge of the fate of 611, the 3 possible outcomes: 1 - 611 will return to Roanoke to be displayed until it can run again. 2-It is going back to Spencer. 3 - It will be given as permanent loan to Strasburg.
I agree that Strasburg wanted the participants to not fumble with cameras and video, so they banned it all. But even the jump seat passenger could not have a camera. I mentioned the fact to the crew while there that the 611 had cameras on it, foot board and down at the drivers, but the response to that was yes they are on it, but not in the cab. Perhaps they over interpreted the rule, but it would have been nice if they could have provided a video you could pay them for, or even include it in the price of the privilege of running and riding in the cab.
The Saluda Grade here in NC is kaput, it is being sold by NS to a biker/hiker group for a trail, a 31 mile long trail. We had a millionaire train aficionado here in Hendersonville, that has been trying to buy it for many years since it was rail banked. He had plans of hooking up with the GSM RR in Bryson City, NC, and with private contractor running the NS branches around here, it could have been possible to have one of the finest tourist railroads in the country. I would wager that the insurance on allowing passenger trains regular use of Saluda might have been prohibitive though.
