Georgia Spencer NC May 30 N&W 611 Heading back to Roanoke Va.

gb hill

gb hill

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Paulb, Al Patterson, & anyone else ought to consider coming up (or down) to Spencer NC Saturday May 30 to catch the 611 as she heads home to Roanoke Va. Should be some good photo ops. Other than just shooting the J Class I think I'll shoot lots of the spectators with my Bessa RF. Here is more detail on the run for anyone interested.
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wir...ern-no-611-inaugural-excursion-set-for-may-30
 
That sounds great. Where is the best place to look to stay? Is there enough motels in the area, or should one look closer to Charlotte?

The last time I was there I drove over from Durham, this time I'm coming the other way on 85.
 
Al I put out advise on the Carolina Rails Facebook group. Seems I remember hotels around Salisbury were booked up when the 630 was here 2-3 years ago. There are plenty of hotels along I-85 from Concord, Kannapolis, Salisbury, & Lexington. Salisbury being ideal,Kannapolis & Lexington would put you around 15 maybe 20 mins from Spencer. I expect to see a huge group but they will be spread along the tracks as the train heads north.
 
Everyone is saying book now or you might be stuck 30 mins away. that would probably put you in the Concord area which might be a problem. May is the races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Don't know those dates though.
 
I booked a motel in Statesville, as the Salisbury places were more expensive. When I used to visit East Broad Top, 30 to 45 minutes away was normal.

Now, all I need to do is convince one of my co-workers to swap an on call week with me.
 
You must have got a heck of a deal in Statesville. Did you try any Motels in Lexington? One good thing you can follow hwy 70 along the NS S Line into Salisbury. Once you confirm you can come up & the date gets closer we'll talk more. She will look much better going home under her own power than when she came down.
 
gb hill said:
You must have got a heck of a deal in Statesville. Did you try any Motels in Lexington? One good thing you can follow hwy 70 along the NS S Line into Salisbury. Once you confirm you can come up & the date gets closer we'll talk more. She will look much better going home under her own power than when she came down.
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Even that looks better than when I saw it in the museum in Roanoke.

I went with a Red Roof Inn, I'm a few nights aways from another free room... It was $58 a night on the AAA website.
 
Greg--thanks for the tip! I rode behind the 611 and 1218 many times in the early 80s, as I'm sure you did, too. Even got a very short cab ride in the 611 as it was backing up--what a thrill! Anyway--I'll try to get up there. No interest in the excursions--but very interested in trackside pix. Take care!
Paul
 
Paulbe said:
Greg--thanks for the tip! I rode behind the 611 and 1218 many times in the early 80s, as I'm sure you did, too. Even got a very short cab ride in the 611 as it was backing up--what a thrill! Anyway--I'll try to get up there. No interest in the excursions--but very interested in trackside pix. Take care!
Paul
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Paul I'm a bit new to all this railfanning. Can't afford to ride those excursions & boy they are trying to milk the dollars with the 611. Charging $250 for a photo op & $611 going for 10 spots to play with the throttle for 30 mins. Me, I just plan to be trackside like 100's of others to see her off toward Roanoke.:)
 
gb hill said:
Paul I'm a bit new to all this railfanning. Can't afford to ride those excursions & boy they are trying to milk the dollars with the 611. Charging $250 for a photo op & $611 going for 10 spots to play with the throttle for 30 mins. Me, I just plan to be trackside like 100's of others to see her off toward Roanoke.:)
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That's not a bad price. I've paid $400 for a one day photo charter.

However, I no longer make the money I did during 2003 to 2006, so I just chase these days.
 
gb hill said:
Paul I'm a bit new to all this railfanning. Can't afford to ride those excursions & boy they are trying to milk the dollars with the 611. Charging $250 for a photo op & $611 going for 10 spots to play with the throttle for 30 mins. Me, I just plan to be trackside like 100's of others to see her off toward Roanoke.:)
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Keep in mind it likely cost over $1 million to get this running again. If it was less, it was because they did a great job on the prior repairs back in the '80s and '90s.
 
Greg--I'm with you! Too much $$$ to ride behind, especially when we've "been there, done that.' I was a member of the HRHS for a long time when they were doing the excursions in the 80s--the 1218 was truly a super power engine! The 611 is gorgeous, and the 1218 was the biggie....UP does have a Big Boy coming along next year--now THAT will be something to see!

Al--I agree--it takes mega bux to get the 611 restored and going again and congrats to VMT for doing so. The insurance costs alone have gotta be steep--but this time, I'll be at the railside--they aren't coming down this way for a while anyway.

Thanks!
Paul
 
Think I read that over 2 million dollars have been raised thus far. That's great. I understand the dollars they have to charge, I just can't afford it. My understanding at the moment the departure time from Spencer to Roanoke is set for 7:45am on the 30th. It will follow Amtrak 90. They have a couple of trial runs scheduled to go to Pomona yard in Greensboro but don't know those dates yet.

Hope to get down to Spencer Saturday for National Train Day. 611 will have tours, NS Veteran unit is there as well as Southern 3170, an SD40. Ought to be pretty fun event. Here is a link for any info on excursions. All are in Va for now.
http://fireup611.org/
 
Went to the National Train Day @ Spencer. They fired up & even moved the 611. Watching them blow the steam whistle.
med_U7008I1431382014.SEQ.0.jpg
 
Wow...talk about weird on multiple levels!

Greg, it's been too long since you and I spoke; and here I happen along tonight for the first time in almost 2 months and see this. I must say your photo of that engine is far more interesting than the one I just saw of the same engine earlier at my local photography club meeting. Nice work!

And Al, you'll be staying in my town! Please feel free to PM if you want to know more about this silly little city while you're here. I'll be sure to check into RFF over the next couple weeks.
 
Today's Roanoke Times has a map showing the route. Departure from Spencer is at 7:30am, going through Lexington, High Point, Greensboro, and Reidsville, NC. Then on to Danville, Chatam, Gretna, Altavista (which has a wonderful view of the big trestle over a large city park), Lynchburg, and Bedford, VA, arriving in Roanoke at the O. Winston Link Museum between 2:00 and 4:00pm. http://www.roanoke.com/arts_and_entertainment/topics/611/

Ignore the US 220 sign on the map, it's actually US 29.

PF
 
You need to get there early. The NS 911 Honoring the first responders came into Spencer Tuesday I think. Brought in some passenger cars that 611 will pull to Roanoke. I hope I see 911 before it leaves, painted like a fire engine. NS did an awesome job.

From what I read when the Amtrak comes thru then 611 will depart. Amtrak is sometimes late. 611 made a run last Thursday to Greensboro's Pomona yard & back. Had to work but saw video & she wasn't no slouch. i know many who is going to chase her to Roanoke. All I got to say is I pity the poor folks driving up 29.:D Dang work cut our hours & being a non pay week I gotta conserve gas to make my 30 mile trip to work & back. Not sure you can see this but if you have facebook here is a link to the Fire Up 611 page. For more info request to join The Carolina Rails facebook page. There you will find everything you need to know. https://www.facebook.com/Fireup611
 
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