Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Backshop, East Chattanooga

April 1st, 2009. A friendly crew member on the Missionary Ridge Local let us back into the TVRM's shop in East Chattanooga, where Southern Railway Ms class mikado 4501, and KS-1 class consolidation 630, are currently under restoration; the two are accompanied by a passenger car, and Southern E-8 6914. Seeing the 630 dismantled, amidst a myriad of its own intricate components, really gives one a better appreciation for the labor involved in restoring a steam locomotive. We didn't want to make the train wait, so the video had to be brief.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Tennessee
• Valley
• Railroad
• Museum
• Southern
• Railway

[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.

[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.

[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.

[thomasrosiefan1]

@FreeFallin1976 4501 will be returning to the rails in 2011