Rail enthusiasts get unique opportunity on 611 this weekend

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Rail enthusiasts have a chance to go inside the Queen of Steam and blow the whistle for the first time this weekend.

It's part of the annual Roanoke Railfest at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

The museum will offer 611 cab tours at the event for an additional cost. This will allow people to meet the crews.

The community can also visit other steam locomotives.

There will also be food, face painting, and music at the museum.

"They come in the biggest numbers," says Bev Fitzpatrick, Virginia Museum of Transportation. "It kind of blows our minds but it makes us really proud because those men who designed and build these things in Roanoke made the best locomotives in the whole world."

A couple thousand people are expected to come out for the event.