VMT 611 J Going-Away Party 5/24/14

Saw some coverage on local news tonight. Looks like a big crowd on hand. Was 611 actually moving today or just a send-off party??? I'll wear my 'Fire up 611' shirt tomorrow!

She was moved to Shaffer's Crossing for final prep and will be in-transit to Spencer over night. NS didn't want "chasers".

Gilly

Oh, like foamers need sleep? 

Looking forward to the pics!

Peter

The weather was perfect and a great time was had by all who attended.

As for the 611, she looks pretty good at age 64!

More pics...

Well someone didn't tell NS that because they are moving her today.

Thanks for the update, Chris. The overnight move was the "story" yesterday. Perhaps all it took to discourage a lot of folks from trying to follow her. We got back to Midlothian yesterday evening.

Gilly

No problem, I wasn't sure either.  Watching the "live stream" today of the move.  It's great to see the 611 in motion again, it's been too long.  Excellent photos also, thanks for posting them here. 

Can't wait for her return. Wonder what the VTM will put in her place? Maybe one of Scott's "J"s. Should I wear my Fire 611 shirt or my "J" shirt!

Y6a #2156 will be going to the VMT.

Where is the 2156 now?

The St. Louis Museum of Transportation.

Hey Gilly! It was great meeting you yesterday at VTM! Thanks for posting some really nice pics, too. I left Roanoke just before 4:00 this afternoon and got to Spencer a little past 6:00, just missing 611's arrival. Looked like NS' "smoke-screen" may have worked to some degree as I was surprised by the small crowd at NCTM, maybe 60-70 people. All in all an outstanding weekend!

Rich,

It was a pleasure meeting you too. Keep in touch. At the very least I'll be looking forward to seeing you when she comes home next March.

Gilly

RC3R members will be interested to know that the Silver Rail Club was there too with their modular layout. I had a hard time getting close...

And I forgot to mention that our own Scott Smith & his son did a terrific job running the museum layout all day Saturday!

Thank you for reminding me, Rick. I did get a couple of shots of the museum layout. As you said, Scott and Joshua were working hard keeping all of the J's running!

For you PRR GG1 fans, 4919 is in primer. No one told me for sure, but it looks like they're in the process of a cosmetic restoration. At the very least, it isn't just sitting there rusting away.

Don't know what happened to the old girl, but the sheet metal on the body is pretty banged-up. I can't imagine trying to block and sand something that big!

Any idea when the 2156 will arrive and are there any kind of events planned when the she gets there? My last couple of times at the VTM Scott and his son have always done a great job running the trains. They hide back in the little hole behind the layout.

As far as that GG-1 goes I bet most of you didn't known that Lionel used that engine to get their measurements for their JLC series GG-1's.

Here are some pictures from few years back.

Scott Smith

Wonderful pics to be sure!

Peter

You know you're a fanatic when you follow the movements of a 64 year old gal. 

Yeah but what a gal to follow...