Norfolk & Western Tool Car #1407 Reunited with Class J No. 611 Through Partnership with Virginia Museum of Transportation and Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS
Roanoke, VA (9/1/25) – The Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc. (VMT) is proud to announce that, through a significant partnership with the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), the historic Norfolk & Western Tool Car No. 1407 is being reunited with the iconic Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611.
Car 1407’s story is inseparably tied to the 611. Built in 1927 by Bethlehem Steel, Co. as a Mail Storage car for the Norfolk & Western, it traveled behind the locomotive thousands of times during her years in regular revenue service. When 611 was first restored to operation in 1982, the 1407 was customized as her dedicated tool car, serving the locomotive (and occasionally Class A 1218) until the end of Norfolk Southern’s steam program in 1994.
Following the program’s conclusion, the Roanoke Chapter purchased and preserved the 1407. The car returned to active service during Norfolk Southern’s 21st Century Steam Program, logging many miles behind Southern 630 and the 611 until 2018.
Now, through this new partnership, ownership of 1407 will officially transfer to the Virginia Museum of Transportation Inc., ensuring that it will remain permanently paired with the 611. This historic reunion not only preserves authenticity but also provides a rolling shop and mobile home base for the 611’s dedicated crew while out on the road.
Mendy Flynn, Executive Director of VMT, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the 1407 to be reunited with the 611. Its history is deeply connected to the locomotive and bringing them back together allows us to tell a more complete and authentic story of Norfolk & Western’s steam legacy. This car will continue to play a vital role supporting the crew and helping us share this incredible history with the public.”
Tim Witt, President of the Roanoke Chapter NRHS, added:
“The Roanoke Chapter is pleased to form this partnership with the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Together we can highlight the historic role of the 611 and 1407, from the 1950s through today, ensuring both artifacts continue to be together as they were intended.”
The Virginia Museum of Transportation Inc. and the 611 crew extend heartfelt thanks to the Roanoke Chapter NRHS for preserving and maintaining the 1407 from 1995 until now. With this transfer, the 1407 is coming home to be with the 611 forever, supporting operations and preserving history for generations to come.
About the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the Virginia Museum of Transportation is the Commonwealth’s official transportation museum, home to one of the nation’s premier rail preservation collections. Its crown jewels are the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 and Class A 1218, both icons of American engineering. The museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Commonwealth’s rich transportation history across rail, road, and air. For more information, visit www.vmt.org.
About the Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS
The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society is one of the oldest and most active NRHS chapters in the country. Dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich history of railroading in Virginia, the Chapter has played a critical role in safeguarding and restoring historic equipment while supporting public education about the region’s railroad heritage. For more information, visit https://www.roanokenrhs.org