The Shadow
ROANOKE – The Virginia Museum of Transportation will celebrate the Golden Age of Steam Saturday at Roanoke Rail Fest.
The event will be held from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. with events at the museum on Norfolk Avenue including special events and exhibits.
Roanoke Rail Fest kicks off the museum’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration by transporting rail fans to the Golden Age of Steam when locomotives ran under steam.
The New Hope Valley #17, coming to Roanoke from the North Carolina Railway Museum, will be powering the train rides that the museum offers during special events.
“Roanoke’s history is grounded in our rail heritage. Our Roanoke designed and built steam locomotives made Roanoke famous,” said Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
“By bringing in a real steam locomotive, people can experience the power and romance of steam locomotives for the first time in 18 years,” Fitzpatrick added. “We think this is a perfect way to kick off our year-long 50th anniversary celebration.”
The Virginia Museum of Transportation is discounting admission so families can enjoy the day together, Fitzpatrick said. Admission will be $5 per person. Members and infants year-old and under will be admitted free.
Parking will be free in the Brandon parking lot across from the museum’s entrance.
Tickets for the train rides will be $2 per person.
Among events Saturday will be an opportunity to operate and ride a vintage rail handcar; sit in the cab of the Class J 611 and the Class A 1218; crafts and face painting; showing of the movie “Going Home,” a movie about the return of the Class J 611 to Roanoke; model train displays, music and food.
The train rides behind the steam locomotive will continue Sunday and the museum will be open 11 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Regular admission rates and train tickets apply Sunday.
The New Hope Valley #17 locomotive is an 0-4-0T steam locomotive built by Vulcan Works in April of 1941 with a builder’s number of 4309.
New Hope Valley #17 carries its fuel and water supplies on board, not in a separate tender. This type of locomotive was used mostly in industrial or railroad switching service.
The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke is located on Norfolk Avenue and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p. m.
For information call 540-342-5670 or visit the website www.vmt.org.
