Fwd: Locomotive Cab to be Delivered Wednesday

[NW Mailing List]

Strasburg has something like this and I can guarantee as a complete novice at locomotive operation, it was a very worthwhile experience.   The interaction between the controls and the video was probably a lot more sophisticated than it appeared, but it was an eye-opener to me as well as others that happened by when I was trying to "drive the locomotive" as one onlooker put it.

I wish Bev and VMT the very best in their rehab of the VMT.   They arguably have on display an example of the most efficient locomotive (investment, operation cost, gross ton-mile/train hr) ever built (1218), and an example of the fastest 4-8-4 ever put on rails based on first-hand documentation (611 standing in for 610).  The SD-40 cab is a welcome addition.  If they can add some of Strasburg's video experience, so much the better.

Dave Stephenson

--- On Wed, 4/8/09, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Subject: Fwd: Locomotive Cab to be Delivered Wednesday

> To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

> Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 2:29 PM

> 

> The Virginia Museum of Transportation to roll in giant locomotive cab as the Museum’s newest hands-on display 

 

> (Roanoke, VA)—The Virginia Museum of Transportation announces that it expects delivery of an SD-40 locomotive cab on Wednesday, April 8 at approximately 10am. The cab—measuring 10 feet wide by 16 feet long by 11 feet tall—will be brought into the Museum through a door near the southeast corner of the building.   

> 

> The cab includes the original dual control system that Norfolk Southern engineers used to operate the locomotive  throughout its 22-state system. “Visitors will be able to enter the cab and enjoy it as a hands-on exhibit, providing the opportunity to relive the engineer’s experience,” said Bev Fitzpatrick, Executive Director.  “Eventually, we anticipate adding a rail simulator on one side of the cab so that visitors can position themselves like an engineer running a real Norfolk Southern locomotive.” 

> 

> The cab is part of SD-40 Locomotive #1594, a diesel-electric locomotive built in June 1966 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). Its 16-cylinder engine generated 3,000  horsepower. The locomotive cab was donated to the Museum by Norfolk Southern, and restoration services were donated by Lanford Brothers, Inc. 

>   

> 

> About the Virginia Museum of Transportation:  Home to two of the most powerful steam locomotives in existence in the world today—the Class A #1218 and the Class J #611—the Virginia Museum of Transportation regularly attracts visitors of all ages from across the U.S. and 45 foreign countries each year. Through exhibits, artifacts, and a world-class collection of rail equipment, cars, trucks, airplanes, and more, the Museum tells the rich story of Virginia’s transportation heritage, with a special focus on the contributions and achievements of men and women from across the Roanoke region.    

> 

> The Virginia Museum of Transportation is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Official Transportation Museum located in the historic N&W Freight Station at 303 Norfolk Avenue, Roanoke,  VA. Open Monday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-5.