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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has long been one of America's premier railroad attractions, and has made itself a staple of steam railroading in the South ever since its founding in 1960. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a city embedded with civil war history and scenic natural splendor, TVRM is a very special place with its collection of iconic locomotives, friendly employees and it’s carefree, simple atmosphere. The museum operates over a 3-mile section of former Southern Railway trackage between its main headquarters at Grand Junction, and its nearby shop facilities in East Chattanooga. Along the way, trains pass through the historic Missionary Ridge Tunnel, which was constructed in 1858 and one of the few remaining "horseshoe" style tunnels in existence today. TVRM is also notable for rostering two mainline steam celebrities, that helped to introduce a whole new generation of Americans to the magic of steam railroading over 50 years ago, Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 and 2-8-2 #4501.
Both locomotives hauled freight during their in-service careers for the Southern, serving the mighty road for many years, before being sold to smaller railroads in the same region that required their strength. #630 would make her way to the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad alongside sister engine #722, while #4501 would be put to work hauling hefty trains of coal hoppers on the Kentucky & Tennessee Railroad. In the 1960s, both locomotives were reacquired by the Southern Railway, and would take starring roles in the Southern's famed Steam Program, hauling excursions all throughout the southeastern states in the 1960s and 70s. #630 & #4501 have called TVRM home in the years since the program was in full force, and while the status of mainline steam excursions has fluctuated drastically over the last several decades, one can still see them stretch their legs on an all-day excursion that brings in folks from far and wide to witness some classic steam power in Dixieland, the Summerville Steam Special!
We documented the Summerville Steam Special in early June of 2024, and were treated to the grand sight of both #630 & #4501 running together on a spectacular doubleheader! This trip travels over the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway on the former Central of Georgia Railroad mainline from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia, a distance of 53 miles. Along the way, the train travels through several small towns and rolling farm country, passes the Chickamauga Battlefield, the sight of a bloody Civil War battle in 1863, and navigates several tough grades along this winding route. Upon arrival in Summerville, passengers enjoy a two-hour layover while the locomotives are turned and serviced. Both locomotives are seen putting on a fantastic show at many superb and well-known locations, even performing a photo runby at Rock Spring, GA on the return to Chattanooga! In addition, you'll also see some scenes of #630 powering the Missionary Ridge Local excursions between Grand Junction and East Chattanooga the day following the doubleheader.
We had a fantastic time with many friends over the weekend on our very first visit to TVRM, and look forward to returning soon to witness more Southern steam at its finest!
Enjoy!
A cool doubleheader run.
You gotta love that Central of Georgia six chime whistle the very whistle that both 630 and 4501 have used over the years especially on 4501 in the 1980s
A very good whistle for sure.
@@TheBigBananaRailfan I agree it’s still sounds amazing to this day
A fantastic steam locomotive video. Excellently filmed, this doubleheading of the fantastic steam locomotives, very nice shots of the train and the landscape. Thank you for showing it and best wishes from Germany.