Click on photos to enlarge
After 11 years of preparation, the ceremonial shovels finally turn the sod at the site of a new
Railroad Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth.
History
In early 1988, a group of Portsmouth citizens approached Mayor James W. Holley III about the establishment of a railroad museum for the people of Virginia. Portsmouth was one of the first communities in America to organize a railroad, establishing the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad Company in 1832.
A Certificate of Incorporation was issued to the newly chartered Railroad Museum of Virginia on August 25, 1999. In October 2004, the Portsmouth City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter a lease agreement with the RRMVA for a portion of the former CSX Railroad right-of-way lying east of PortCentre Parkway.
The RRMVA currently owns four historic rail cars on display at the site. Additional items in the collection include several work cars, one of which is a rare velocipede. Other large artifacts, such as a signal post, crossing gates and numerous books, pictures and other railroad memorabilia round out the collection. A revised lease agreement with the City of Portsmouth has recently been completed. The RRMVA worked for months with representatives - including City Council, the City Manager and City Attorney - to craft an agreement which willl help to expand the use and character of the site. The new lease provides for continued use of the property for the display of the rail cars and other artifacts as well as maintenance of the existing track, site improvements, addition of a locomotive and tender, and placement of additional rail for the display of historic work cars.
Locomotive / Tender
A Certificate of Incorporation was issued to the newly chartered Railroad Museum of Virginia on August 25, 1999. In October 2004, the Portsmouth City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter a lease agreement with the RRMVA for a portion of the former CSX Railroad right-of-way lying east of PortCentre Parkway.
The RRMVA currently owns four historic rail cars on display at the site. Additional items in the collection include several work cars, one of which is a rare velocipede. Other large artifacts, such as a signal post, crossing gates and numerous books, pictures and other railroad memorabilia round out the collection. A revised lease agreement with the City of Portsmouth has recently been completed. The RRMVA worked for months with representatives - including City Council, the City Manager and City Attorney - to craft an agreement which willl help to expand the use and character of the site. The new lease provides for continued use of the property for the display of the rail cars and other artifacts as well as maintenance of the existing track, site improvements, addition of a locomotive and tender, and placement of additional rail for the display of historic work cars.
Locomotive / Tender
The Railroad Musum of Virginia, Inc. has completed an agreement with the Virginia Museum of Transportation for the acquisition of two rare historic rail units - a circa 1910 M class 4-8-0 steam locomotive and an accompanying tender. The locomotive, # 1134, is one of the "Lost Engines of Roanoke", four steam engines sold for scrap by N&W in 1950 and all but forgotten until recently discovered amidst vines and trees in a Roanoke scrap yard.
The locomotive is one of the last surviving examples of three classes of freight engines built for the N&W between 1901 and 1911; the W2 class 2-8-0 and the M2 and M2A class 4-8-0's. The first fifty engines ( nos. 1100-1149 ) were built by Baldwin, with engine no. 1134 arriving in October, 1910. The locomotive and tender will be restored as a static display this summer and delivered to the site by North Fork, Inc. in late fall of 2009.
The locomotive is one of the last surviving examples of three classes of freight engines built for the N&W between 1901 and 1911; the W2 class 2-8-0 and the M2 and M2A class 4-8-0's. The first fifty engines ( nos. 1100-1149 ) were built by Baldwin, with engine no. 1134 arriving in October, 1910. The locomotive and tender will be restored as a static display this summer and delivered to the site by North Fork, Inc. in late fall of 2009.
Check comments at end of post for updates on the move of the engines.
Site Improvements
Site Improvements
HBA Architects of Virginia Beach have been working with the Railroad Museum of Virginia, Inc. for over a year to design improvements. These improvements will enhance the visitor's experience, and improve the safety and security of the site. The focal point will be an elevated platform, running the entire length of the cars, covered by a canopy structure resembling a late 19th century train station. A large brick promenade, perimeter fencing, with a mix of period lighting as well as security lighting fixtures. Completion is slated for the fall of 2009.
Mission of the Railroad Museum of Virginia, Inc.
Mission of the Railroad Museum of Virginia, Inc.
To act as a repository for the collection, preservation and conservation of railroad memorabilia and artifacts aquired from industry and individuals;
To utilize the museum and its exhibits to educate the visiting public regarding the history of the railroad industry and its impact on the economic, industrial and residential development of the locality, state and nation;
To carry out such other educational and charitable activities in connection with the railroad museum as are deemed appropriate to the mission of the organization as stated herein.
Railroad Museum of Virginia, Inc.
500 Crawford Street - Suite 300
Portsmouth VA 23704
Portsmouth VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-4093
Click here for > Story by Janie Bryant -- The Virginian-Pilot
Other resources > The Lost Engines of Roanoke
VA Tech Digital Library
Other resources > The Lost Engines of Roanoke
VA Tech Digital Library
Great "before" photos > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lostengines/photos/album/0/list
If you have any photos of or related to the Museum, please submit them to the Flickr Group Pool.
3 comments:
Here are some updates and great images from Wizzy Strom:
http://wizzy.rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=48418
http://wizzy.rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=47992
Also, you can go to the Yahoo Group Discussion page.
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/lostengines/message/1011
I added a Facebook Page and it needs an administrator.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/rrmva/
Post a Comment