Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Backshop, East Chattanooga

[bcschmerker]

Excellent for insight on the process of overhauling a full-size steam locomotive. I presume the ultrasound tests are needed to determine what major replacement parts are needed? The NV State RR Museum did comparable tests on Virginia & Truckee #18 and #22 when received; currently, #18 is static-displayed, #22 active.

[Kayushi]

news flash!630 will be running this year and 4501 next! omg!

[DJGENEX71]

They finally got her back together and rolled out of the shop. Saw some recent photos on Facebook of her.

[TVRM610]

An update: 630 now has all of it's drivers on, and should be running in a few months, the coach is now out and about, painted blue as TVRM #873, 6914 is still in 1000 different pieces, and 4501 is in the beginning stages of the big tear down for restoration.

[288jh]

why 4501 in the shops

hey finnially rebuliding her

[SR722]

@288jh They've performed an ultrasound on the boiler, and run some feasibility studies, but as far as I know, they're not doing anything else with her.

[FreeFallin1976]

I'm really hoping to see Miss 4501 back on the rails someday. We have a history, she and I. 1992 trip to Chattanooga is one I'll remember forever.

[SR722]

@FreeFallin1976 We all do, especailly those of us who were never able to see her running. And I can imagine, a trip behind a locomotive like that is one to never forget.

[thomasrosiefan1]

@FreeFallin1976 4501 will be returning to the rails in 2011

[Chris9017]

I heard 610 is still in steam, she'll probably go down for the summer months once after 630 has the bugs worked out of her.

[SR722]

@Chris9017 610 is indeed still in steam, and I'm going to guess that it probably still will be in the early stages of 630's season. A doubleheader would certainly be nice to see before 610 is finally taken out of service.

[jdrummer16]

Well you also have to think, hundreds of thousands of people visit that museum each year. Even if they don't get 4501 back in service, they still have some great attractions. I understand what you mean about the rising costs though.... good vid.

[LionelKid18]

Wow thanks for a look into the backshop, the 630 is looking awesome, did they say when she would be finished?

[Chris9017]

630 is supposed to be done this summer if all goes well.

[foxrivermotorman]

Last time I heard it will take about $250,000 to get 4501 back in service again. Its not cheap running steam and a lot of the places are not going to afford to run it mutch longer. So injoyit while you can boys and girlls.

[SR722]

To be honest, I expected the cost to be higher than that. And operating expenses are just going to keep getting higher and more complicated, especially if congress continues their environmental crusade against anything that emits smoke or vapor; half of this new "green" crap, like the proposed carbon tax, would easily smite a struggling steam program.

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

It takes money to restore the 4501 and despite what some people think, the museum isn't overflowing with money. Plus they have operating expenses (operating a steam locomotive isn't cheap). Also I read 4501 is too big for their Missionary Ridge Local, but would be better suited for the runs on the C&C. At any rate, I'm just hoping that 630 will be done soon so 2010 won't be totally steamless at TVRM as I've read the 610 is due for it's FRA Form 4 1472 day inspection after the 2009 season ends.

[SR722]

I have yet to hear of a railroad historical organization that is overflowing with money; it seems like the majority of railroad museums and steam railroads are always cash-strapped. And I agree, unless the TVRM considerably lengthens the Local's train, it's definitely nonsensical to have 4501 on the point. I haven't heard anything else about the 630 since I was there, but if work is progressing at the same pace, I would say sometime early next year is a rational time to expect its completion.

[SR6900]

The 4501 was only in for a boiler inspection funded by an anonyous individual. There are currently no further plans than that. If the donor hadn't have provided the money, the inspection more than likely wouldn't have happen for a long time.

[wippydobo321]

at least they work on #4501 i really hope she goes back to green and when will #630 return

[SR722]

Yeah, they've really made a big leap forward by completing an ultrasound. And personally, I like the black, but that's all a matter of personal opinion.

[SP4449Warbaby]

Love the MS and KS class engines, displays a sight of true Southern steam power, and that E-8 will most likely look like the day it was shopped when the TVRM is done with it, great video as always man.

[tweetsie12engineer]

630 is a ex ET&WNC 2-8-0 aint she? before southern bought her

[SR722]

Kind of, yes. It was built for the Southern in 1904, sold to the ET&WNC in 1952 as #207, then traded back, along with stablemate #722, to the Southern for two RS-3's in 1967.

[SR6900]

Funny is that we also own one of the RS3's that was traded for her, the other was scrapped before we got to it.

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

Yes, she was originally Southern 630, then sold to ET&WNC somewhere between 1952-1954 where it was renumbered 207 and operated their until Graham Claytor traded the ET&WNC two RS-3 diesel locomotives for clear title to the 630 and sister 2-8-0 208 (722). The 630 first operated on Southern excursions in 1968, with 722 coming online in 1970. The 630 ran on Southern Steam excursions until 1977 and the 722 ran on SR excursions until 1980.

[SR722]

Thanks!

[SP4449Warbaby]

No problem, and I didnt know the Southern traded RS-3's for the 630 and 722, interesting.

[Bidone1967]

Nice look inside from the museum!

5* from Germany!

Bidone

[SR722]

Thank you, glad you like it!

[GSMR1702]

definitely, i think steam locomotives are underrated in the sense that they have sooo many moving parts, its hard to fathom now with diesel how maintenance intensive the really are

5* video good job!!

[SR722]

Thanks, and yeah, steam power in general is largely misunderstood in today's world, especially in terms of the skills required to operate and maintain something like a steam locomotive; even basic care can be a pretty daunting task, especially considering the cost of it all.

[foxrivermotorman]

I hope they can get 4501 and the 630 done so they can have steam on the line still hile 610 is in the shops

[SR722]

Yeah, I talked to the engineer on the 610, and he said that the 630 may be done by the new year; however, at this point, I'm guessing sometime in February (if not later) is more realistic.