Getting her to breathe again

The Virginia Museum of Transportation has formed the Fire Up 611 Committee to study the feasibility of bringing the 611 back into service.

This committee will consult specialists in steam locomotives and mechanical restoration, engineers, and experts on Federal Railroad Administration guidelines. The committee will report its findings and recommend what is needed to get the 611 to breathe once again.

If a favorable recommendation is made, a separate non-profit group will be formed and the fundraising for mechanical restoration will begin.

The study should take 60 - 90 days. To stay up to date, we invite you to join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign up for our e-mail newsletter.

Committee Members

Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr.

Executive Director, Virginia Museum of Transportation
Roanoke, Virginia

Preston Claytor

Chairman of the Fire Up 611 Committee and Safety consultant
Boynton Beach, Florida

Mr. Claytor was also on the 611 locomotive crew during its last excursion runs.

Scott Lindsay

President, Steam Operations Corporation
Birmingham, Alabama

Steam Operations Corporation specializes in the restoration of historic rail equipment. Mr. Lindsay was also on the 611 locomotive crew during its last excursion runs.

Cherie George

Owner of a software consulting company
Atlanta, Georgia

Ms. George was also a volunteer fireman for the 611 and was part of the crew during its last excursion runs.

Jim Wrinn

Editor, Trains Magazine, the premier railroading magazine
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jim Stump

Consultant
Charlotte, NC

Mr. Stump is an executive search consultant and a Roanoke native and railroad enthusiast.

Jeff Sanders

President of the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society
Roanoke, Virginia

Ron Davis

President of the Norfolk & Western Historical Society
Roanoke, Virginia

Ken Lanford

President, Board of Directors at the Virginia Musueum of Transportation
Roanoke, Virginia

Bill Honeycutt

Consultant, President of the Western Virginia Historical Society, representing the O Winston Link Museum.