Fwd: Fw: 611

[NW Mailing List]

I understand changes that are made to make operation in the modern era easier, such as the twin seal beam headlight.  And I understand honoring an individual with special ties to an engine, such as the Robert Claytor plaque.  But I don't agree with making changes just to make changes.  While VMT may have a piece of paper saying they own 611, the engine's exposure to the public over the years really makes her more a possession of the people.  Songwriters especially understand this concept, and will remark how a song now belongs to the fans instead of the composer, band, or record label.  

People outside of the VMT and Roanoke feel a sense of ownership in 611 that goes deeper than any deed or legal term which may no longer be mentioned on this list.  You see that in the passion and outspoken nature from people on both sides of these debates.  

The combined effect of VMT's recent decisions regarding 611 show an out of touch, self-serving organization with no respect for the people who have supported them and 611 in the past, many of whom are choosing no longer to do so.  And many feel the two decisions are linked, with the cab writing serving merely as a legal tool, not a dedication.

And please drop the whole they-need-to-do-this-to-keep-611-running bit.  This is nonsense.  Money has been raised to restore and operate numerous steam locomotives over the decades without resorting to such tactics.  As for the just-be-happy-611-is-operating view, well, I am happy she is running, but I, and others apparently, are not happy with the way the organization is running.  

VMT is taking the shine off of 611's return by making these poor decisions that they had to know would alienate portions of the fanbase.

Marty Flick


---- NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote: 
> I don't understand all the furor over the "Spirit Of Roanoke" lettering on the cab. I find the dual seal beam headlight and the removal of the TIMKEN covers on the trailing truck and tender truck journals more offensive than that. I think all the J's, and especially the 611, represent the Spirit Of Roanoke.
> My 2¢,Roger HuberDeer Creek Locomotive Works
> 
>       From: NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
>  To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
> Cc: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
>  Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 3:02 PM
>  Subject: Fwd: Fw: 611
>    
>  I wrote the VMT and stated my concerns about the words "Spirit of Roanoke on 611 and here is the response I got in return. Alan Cox
>   Mr. Cox, 
>  
>  Thank you for your feedback. We know that putting the "Spirit of Roanoke" in small letters under the cab window has upset a lot of 611 fans. 
>  
>  The Roanoke City Council designated the Class J 611 as the "Spirit of Roanoke" and the Class A 1218 as the "Pride of Roanoke" a long time ago. This decision had the support of railroaders, community and business leaders and the railroad.  Both of these locomotives were owned by the City of Roanoke from the early 1960s to 2012, when ownership was transferred to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.  
>  In and around Roanoke, the locomotives represent the pride, ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who built these giants of steam. The Spirit of Roanoke honors the laborers who engineered, designed, built and maintained these superior locomotives in Roanoke's East End Shops. 
>  
>  The decision to add the Spirit of Roanoke under the cab window was made by the City Council and the Board of Directors at the VMT. City, community and business leaders wanted to honor the thousands of railroaders who were the heart and soul of the Norfolk & Western operation. 
>  
>   Peg McGuire
>  Director of Communications
>  Virginia Museum of Transportation
>  303 Norfolk Avenue SW
>  Roanoke VA 24016
>  
>  pmcguire at vmt.org
>  cell: 540.339.2753
>  
>  fireup611.org  |  vmt.org
>  
>           From: ABCOX99 at aol.com [mailto:ABCOX99 at aol.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2015 3:42 PM
> To: VMT Info
> Subject: 611    I am very disappointed to see that the VMT has decided to put a name on the side of 611. No Norfolk & Western engine in the "J" class ever had a name to my knowledge. I have heard numerous complaints about this and have to agree that it doesn't belong. I consider it graffiti and has no place on such a beautiful locomotive. No matter what is said, the VMT will do what it wants and that is a shame.      Sincerely, Alan Cox
> 
> ________________________________________
> NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org
> To change your subscription go to
> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list
> Browse the NW-Mailing-List archives at
> http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/
>