Norfolk & Western Railway 2-6-6-4 No. 1218
Roanoke, VA, United States 		Location: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Status: Cosmetic Restoration
Posted: May 3, 2008 @ 22:05:30 by Chad
On Sunday, May 18, 1986, tragedy struck once again. 611 was at the head of an Employee Appreciation train from Norfolk, VA, with Robert Claytor at the throttle. One of the passenger cars picked a switch on the main through the Great Dismal Swamp, causing it and 12 other cars of the 23 car train to derail. Many of the nearly 1000 employees and their family members were injured, some of the more seriously injured had to be airlifted to hospitals in nearby Norfolk for treatment. In addition, the derailment prevented the use of the main line for freight traffic for some time. Had this been a public excursion instead of a railroad employee event it could have easily spelled the end of the NS steam program, regardless, this derailment brought a wave of change to the program, including the retirement of many of the older passenger cars. Despite rumors, the program chugged on, welcoming another locomotive, former Norfolk & Western 1218, a simple articulated 2-6-6-4. The two continued to pull the systems' trains until 1994, when another disastrous blow hit. In September 1994, there was a switching accident in Lynchburg, VA, involving the passenger cars of an excursion consist 611 was to pull the next day. This damaged several cars, causing a shortage, and the need for more cars. Only a month later, the news many had expected after the Great Dismal Swamp derailment was released. The executives of NS determined to terminate the steam program, due to rising insurance costs, increasing cost of maintenance, and a high system capacity. The last steam excursion was on December 4 from Birmingham, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee and back, pulled by 611. The next day 611 set off on a three-day trek home to Roanoke. 611's last official day of being under steam was December 7, 1994, the 53rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. Between Salisbury, North Carolina and Roanoke, 611 displayed black flags on the run. That evening, upon arrival at Schaffers Crossing in Roanoke, its fire was dumped for the last time.
Posted: Aug 16, 2007 @ 09:08:04 by Connor Doornbos (Virginia Museum Of Transportation
As Yardmaster of the Virginia Museum Of Transportation, The 1218, is in no way, operational condition, as she is missing most of her parts, she was only given a Cosmetic restoration by the Norfolk Southern, in 1994-1995. Currently, whats left of ehr parts, are located in her front section of the locomotive. If you need any information regarding any of the Museum's rolling stock, please email at Genmacconnor@cox.net Thanks, Connor
Posted: Jun 23, 2007 @ 14:06:18 by martin
My mystake. 1218 still does have her boiler but is missing most of its components such as the crownsheet ect.
Posted: Dec 27, 2006 @ 13:12:21 by martin
The boiler no longer exists inside the 1218 anymore. But it might not be true from the person who told me.
Posted: Sep 16, 2004 @ 14:09:23 by Mitch Brown
Visit the site for the Virginia Museum of Transportation  http://www.vmt.org/ to see a recent photo of the 1218 displayed side by side with class J 611.
Posted: Aug 22, 2004 @ 09:08:48 by

Orig. owned by Steamtown, leased to NS, NS decided to me a bunch of idiots and told Steamtown they would not let them use thier trackage in the move to Scarnton unless the got the clear title for 1218. They ended up giving NS clear title and got NKP GP-9 #514 and a Wabash SW-9 in return.

1218 supposed to be at O. WInston LInk mUseum.

Posted: Dec 15, 2003 @ 13:12:24 by CHESSIEMIKE

I would say no.  :-( She was in the middle of an overhaul when NS killed the Steam program.  My understanding is the out side is together, but not the inside.

CHESSIEMIKE

Posted: Dec 9, 2003 @ 05:12:28 by DENNIS PATTERSON
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF 1218 IS GOING TO BE OPERATIONAL AGAIN. IF SO WHEN & WHERE?
Posted: Oct 2, 2002 @ 16:10:46 by Doug Bailey
Need to update Ownership history for 1218. Remove this note when complete.