The fabled Class J steam locomotive engine built by Norfolk & Western near the end of the steam era in the 1950’s – and restored by the Virginia Museum of Transportation (and generous donors) over the past few years is now the subject of a documentary available on DVD at the downtown museum or on the museum website.
“611: American Icon,” which also had a screening at the Grandin Theatre in July – with another planned at the Grandin towards the end of this month – may also show up on local public television networks including Blue Ridge PBS.
“American Icon” chronicles in great detail over 83 minutes the latest multimillion dollar restoration of the 611 at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, often with the feel of a how-to reality TV show.
There’s also footage of the first excursions made by the J611 locomotive and passengers once restoration was complete – with shots of rail fans waving from the roadsides as the train roars by. Interspersed with the restoration footage are vignettes detailing the history of rail in the Roanoke area.
The July screening of 611: American Icon included guests who had supported the restoration project financially and some of those that had actually worked on the project. Virginia Museum of Transportation executive director Bev Fitzpatrick said the film “really shows you what Roanoke was all about in its heyday. Unless you see the detail … [you can’t] understand the significance of it. It’s an educational piece in addition to a history of a lot of great volunteers that made it possible.”
Indeed, as the documentary shows, volunteers came from various parts of the country to spend time working on the 611 in Spencer, NC. Some were veterans of a previous restoration on the same locomotive several decades ago. Fitzpatrick credits former Norfolk Southern board chairman Wick Moorman with initiating a short term steam excursion program on its freight tracks employing the J611 – which then led to its most recent renovations.
Next up is building a permanent shelter for the 611 behind the museum, on land the VMT has negotiated with the railroad company to purchase. “Moorman gave us half of what we need [financially],” for the restoration adds Fitzpatrick, who has been at the museum for a decade.
Peg McGuire, the co-writer and the documentary’s executive producer, says they were hoping to convey “The Spirit of Roanoke,” while putting the project together. “What this town was [in its railroad heyday] and what it can be. We were great at railroads – we can be great at other things too.”
McGuire, who used to work in communications at the museum, says the 611 “is beloved around the world.” She describes the 611 as being almost a living organism – “you can hear her breathing … it’s almost like the souls of the craftsmen who built her were along for the ride . . . an amazing, emotional experience.”
McGuire recalls volunteers putting in 14 hour days while they worked to restore the 611: “there’s something about her that stirs the soul.”
First time director/producer/editor Rex Teese lives in Maryland but has family roots in Roanoke. “The restoration was a big thing [to document] – but also the people involved – their stories. It’s more about the personalities and the people involved.”
The 611 “has put us on the map,” says Bev Fitzpatrick as to what the sleek steam locomotive has meant to the museum; “we know she’s the star and the reason people come to Roanoke from all over the world.”
Gene Marrano
