Moonlight Dome will run several trips on Amtrak to support Norfolk & Western No. 611.
Adam Auxier
WASHINGTON — The Virginia Museum of Transportation will operate a series of private railcar trips utilizing a rare Baltimore & Ohio dome behind Amtrak trains beginning April 28 and 29. These trips are fundraising events for Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 No. 611.
Passenger car Moonlight Dome was built in 1948 for the premium Chessie passenger train planned by the Chesapeake & Ohio. The train was cancelled, and the cars were dispersed far and wide to the B&O, Rio Grande, and the General Roca system in Argentina. Moonlight Dome was acquired by its current owners, The Cincinnati Railway, a few years ago and has received an extensive renovations with new paint, fabrics, and other materials.
The schedule is:
• April 28-29, Washington, D.C., to Williamsburg, Va., with a long layover in Williamsburg for guests to enjoy Colonial sites.
• May 4-6, Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Ga.
• May 10-13, Washington, D.C., to Roanoke/Roanoke to Washington, D.C.
• May 13, Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, Pa.
“These trips allow us to entertain our supporters and offer an excursion during the off-season while 611 is receiving maintenance,” says VMT Excursion Director Adam Auxier. “The return of Amtrak to Roanoke has been a huge blessing and the Moonlight Dome offers a spectacular way to experience the scenery.”
Each ticket includes meal and beverage service, all in dome dining fashion.
Details and tickets are here: http://fireup611.org/excursions/
Passenger car Moonlight Dome was built in 1948 for the premium Chessie passenger train planned by the Chesapeake & Ohio. The train was cancelled, and the cars were dispersed far and wide to the B&O, Rio Grande, and the General Roca system in Argentina. Moonlight Dome was acquired by its current owners, The Cincinnati Railway, a few years ago and has received an extensive renovations with new paint, fabrics, and other materials.
The schedule is:
• April 28-29, Washington, D.C., to Williamsburg, Va., with a long layover in Williamsburg for guests to enjoy Colonial sites.
• May 4-6, Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Ga.
• May 10-13, Washington, D.C., to Roanoke/Roanoke to Washington, D.C.
• May 13, Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, Pa.
“These trips allow us to entertain our supporters and offer an excursion during the off-season while 611 is receiving maintenance,” says VMT Excursion Director Adam Auxier. “The return of Amtrak to Roanoke has been a huge blessing and the Moonlight Dome offers a spectacular way to experience the scenery.”
Each ticket includes meal and beverage service, all in dome dining fashion.
Details and tickets are here: http://fireup611.org/excursions/
I hope this trip is not affected by the recent AMTRAK guidelines for private varnish.
I just hope the 611 will be allowed to operate this autumn, considering Amtrak’s new policy of no special moves and how they’re trying to make a few exceptions.