611

Wed Jun 17 09:31:40 EDT 2015

I would like to make a couple statements here concerning the issues surrounding the 611. 
First of all, We all need to remember that we are making History at this time (2015) with the 611. 
I want to ask everyone, which category of  the Good, Bad and Ugly do you want to be remember for in the future.
I believe the intentions by the VMT were well founded. Like many others I had relatives that worked for the N&W
and Virginian and  one great Uncle that worked in the East End Shops during the construction of the J-Class and
this only provides an great tribute to all those that worked in Roanoke for the N&W and image of Roanoke, VA.
I'm very proud and pleased to see the 611 in operation. and Lastly,  If we don't learn to play nice with one another
someone is likely to come along and take our toys away !! 

Thanks, Clifford Orange 

-----Original Message-----
From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Tue, Jun 16, 2015 10:18 am
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fw: 611

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
> 
>
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