Moving 611

[NW Mailing List]

Jeff, I for one don't think you need apologize for going on "too long";
this is information some of us want, that should be recorded somewhere.  If
this is totally outside of a list reader's interest area--and we all have
some areas that we don't care about--there is a "delete" button.  I
appreciate the info.

Frank Bongiovanni


On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 10:21 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Bruce in Blacksburg wrote:
>
> "How much prep work needs to be done to get the Y ready to move? I
> expect the rods will be dropped, but what else? Has it been moved or
> maintained over the years?
>
>
> * I know there were issues the first time the611 was pulled from Wasena
> Park since it had been sitting still for somany years, so a lot of work and
> care was necessary to ensurefree-moving running gear" (my italics-JLS).*
>
> Bruce, if I may, I would like to mention something here for the sake of
> those who are keeping historical records. I know there is much "minutia"
> that we railfans tend to love to expend much effort and research time
> trying to uncover. This is one of those forgotten jewels that is almost
> lost to history.
>
> Concerning the movement of 611 out of Wasena Park for its first rebuild, I
> want to make certain that a couple if individuals who deserve credit are
> indeed recognized for their efforts. These men, and I am sure others that
> may have helped them, are in great part responsible for the 611 being in as
> good of condition as possible for the job, unknown at the time, that she
> would fulfill from 1982-1994.
>
> Both these men were Roanoke Chapter, NRHS members at the time. And I say
> that not to glorify the Chapter, although I am very prejudice about that
> subject. But these men took it upon themselves to care for this magnificent
> locomotive.
>
> The first was L. Jack White. Jack was retired from the Radford Arsenal,
> where he took care of the rail equipment owned and used by that facility.
> Jack was "old school". Although he moved slowly, Jack had the uncanny
> ability to analyze mechanical problems (what he might have called
> "ciphering") and come up with solutions. Jack, on his own, for I believe
> many years, faithfully went to the Museum, on his own schedule, and
> carefully lubricated every accessible bearing and moving part. This went
> on, with no ones notice, until the day that the news broke that the 611
> would be returned to service. With no fanfare, no accolades, and very
> little recognition at all, Jack White had performed an invaluable service
> which made the job easier for those who followed.
>
> One of Jack's helpers was a man of similar devotion to the 611, and one
> who served with no eye toward recognition. A General Electric Co. retiree,
> John Garrett spent many times with Jack in taking care of the engine we all
> revere so much.
>
> I'm sorry if I've gone on too long. As I said before, there were, no
> doubt, others who, in their own way contributed to the preservation of 611,
> and have made this day possible, that we may enjoy her once again. But
> these two men, whom I have been privileged to call friend, should receive
> at least a footnote in the history of the 611.
>
> L. Jack White, deceased, and John Garrett. Take just a moment to thank
> these two far-sighted men who helped  keep the dream alive. It is because
> of them and many more like them, unfortunately unknown and forgotten, that
> have played important roles that have touched the lives, not only of us,
> but of countless thousands that have witnessed the "most modern steam
> passenger locomotive" to ever grace the rails.
>
> We can only hope that there have been similar folks in St. Louis who have
> been taking care of 2156.
>
> Jeff Sanders
>
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