Larry Hypes, Contributing writer
ROANOKE – “America 250” and a “Spirit of 76”-style birthday for the Norfolk & Western J-Class 611 steam locomotives spotlighted national, Virginia and regional pride recently at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
VMT Director Mendy Flynn and Steam Operations Manager Zac McGinnis welcomed a large crowd for the unveiling of the new paint scheme on the giant restored passenger locomotive which will once again run summer excursions on the Virginia Scenic Railway.
A red-white-and-blue style circle with stars and “250” on the tender with a 10-star stripe symbolizing Virginia as the 10th state in the nation running the length of the boiler drew a huge round of applause from the audience.
“How grateful we are to our steam crew, business partners and volunteers,” said Flynn. “We have made it our mission to preserve history, honor our nation’s history and the railroad.”
The 611, a 4-8-4-wheel arrangement passenger engine which regularly ran 15,000 miles monthly on a 677-mile route between Norfolk and Cincinnati, was a daily visitor to the Roanoke Valley traveling through Christiansburg on to Bluefield and points north.
McGinnis, in his first full year directing the steam program, noted, “I really appreciate all of you – this terrific steam team, the Museum Board of Directors, our supportive citizens all across the state and the country – the 611 has a new paint scheme and a new year to bring lots of joy to all of us and we look forward to seeing you all riding the rails behind this great locomotive in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary on the greatest excursion train in the nation.”
Incoming Norfolk & Western Railway Historical Society president Ron Davis said, “The Norfolk & Western, the last railroad to use mainline steam, built the greatest steam locomotives in the world right here in Roanoke and the 611 is perhaps the best example of that. We are fortunate to have some weeks of excursions this summer to look forward to.”
NWHS director Doug Andre added, “The workmanship on the decorative design is outstanding, the best I have seen on any railroad honoring the 250th anniversary of America. The workers who built her would be moved to tears to see the engine restored and decorated so beautifully.”
NWHS Archivist and editor of the association magazine “The Arrow,” Ken L. Miller, provided the correct font style for the decoration. Miller is also the man who designed the commemorative railway heritage license plates for the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Virginia Scenic Railway President Steve Powell, on whose line the 611 will run the upcoming excursions in June and July, said, “The 611 was saved by Norfolk-Southern, the Virginia Museum of Transportation was the proper hand to preserve it and now we are here for the third time to make excursions possible for everyone to enjoy.”
SoVA Vinyl Pros of Danville designed the decoration for the locomotive and Colorado native Jay Escamilla, representing Sunset Models, told the crowd, “I am honored to be here and to have a part in honoring America’s 250th anniversary and this magnificent steam locomotive, N & W 611.”
Escamilla provided the funding for the new patriotic design.
The event heralded the beginning of the steam excursion season as well as the 2026 Norfolk & Western Historical Society Convention set for June 11—14.
