When looking for links to add to my blog, I discovered that there is a group trying to get the Flying Scotsman restored and running again. It's a grand old engine and deserves to be brought back. Check it out! Help the Flying Scotsman get restored Help with a small donation if you can and know you'll help preserve part of history.
Speaking of preserving history, I can't believe that the Norfolk and Western 611 and 1218 aren't running. In school we learned about all kinds of Virginia products, history and so on. Here are some engines that were made here in Virginia in the Roanoke shops. We don't learn anything about that. Most engines were built by Alco, Baldwin or Lima. They're unique, people! They served mightily for years providing transportation all across the state and to other states as well.
Take a look at the 611. You won't see a finer streamlined steamer on the East Coast in my opinion. She's at the Virginia Museum of Transportation and while they do what they can to preserve her, they need help too. Norfolk Southern, are you listening out there? People want to see her steam again. Bring her to Richmond and run excursions out the Science Museum. I know trains can still come there because I saw the American Orient Express there one day. Talk about tourism, what better way to see part of Virginia than to ride on a piece of Virginia history and see the countryside. You can see parts of Richmond that way that aren't easily accessible by car. Other cities have done it. Check out Strasburg, PA or the East Broad Top engine. The town cared enough to save the engine and have done a great job of it.
