
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, September 19, 1995                   TAG: 9509190022
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

611 DEDICATION KICKS OFF RAILWAY FEST

The Class J No. 611 steam locomotive will be unveiled in its new location at the Virginia Museum of Transportation on Oct. 6 from 7-8 p.m.

The ceremony to celebrate the 611 and the dedication of its new cover will kick off this year's Roanoke Railway Festival, which continues Oct. 7-8.

The restored Norfolk & Western engine, recently retired from excursion service, pulled the famed Powhatan Arrow passenger train throughout the Blue Ridge Mountain area during the 1950s.

The free ceremony will feature photo opportunities and railroad ballads sung by Curly Ennis.

The museum has built a cover to protect this engine and other vintage railcars. This is the first phase of a three-phase project to cover the museum's entire rail collection.

Saturday night, the museum will host ``Dial 611 for Murder Night.'' Guests will witness ``dastardly deeds of demise'' and find clues to unravel the mysteries.

A cocktail buffet and cash bar will be available. Murder Express Limited will orchestrate the evening. Casual dress is recommended. The cost is $20 per person; reservations are required by Oct. 2.

Entries are being accepted for the Railway Festival Auto Show, which will be held Oct. 7 at the museum. The show is open to antiques, customs, modifieds, rods, street machines, motorcycles, trucks, farm tractors and specialty vehicles through 1975. Trophies will be awarded.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the show, which runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Entry fees before Sept. 30 are $8 for non-judged vehicles, $10 for judged. Add $2 to each fee after Sept. 30 and for day-of-show. Registration forms are available at the museum.

The Big Horn Museum, the world's only horn and whistle museum on wheels, will be on exhibit at the Railway Festival on Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 8, noon-5 p.m.

The Big Horn Museum has more than 50 steam whistles, 16 train and boat horns and four ship's horns, including the world's largest ship air horn. Many of the whistles are more than 100 years old, with some dating back to the Civil War.

Whistle demonstrations will be given throughout the weekend.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation is located at 303 Norfolk Ave., Roanoke. For more information, call 342-5670.

by CNB