NS Steam is back!

[jnohallman]

Not with the 611 or 1218, unfortunately, but NS has made the official announcement of a revival of steam on NS rails.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-97503964.html

Jon

[cblaz]

One thing to take note of: NS is using the locomotives TVRM provides and they are not doing any work themselves. So, for those of you hoping for 611 or 1218, this means another group has to step up and foot the bill for restoration before you see them on NS rails.

- Chris

[stlgevo51]

I'm just glad that the consolidations can run over 10 mph!!! Good to hear that the 4501 might operate again.

[crazytiger]

4501 was under steam for the first time in however long sometime this week.

[cblaz]

Originally Posted by crazytiger

4501 was under steam for the first time in however long sometime this week.

Considering she's out of boiler time and needs a full restoration before she can be under steam again, I highly doubt it. Hopefully whoever told you this isn't a trusted source.

- Chris

[KGilliam]

Originally Posted by cblaz

Considering she's out of boiler time and needs a full restoration before she can be under steam again, I highly doubt it. Hopefully whoever told you this isn't a trusted source.

- Chris

yep, absolutely impossible. Was at TVRM about two weeks ago, and she was sitting outside with boiler lagging removed and very much resembling a cooked lobster. 4501's boiler time ran out in September 1998, and has been sitting in East Chattanooga ever since.

That said, former Southern Railway 2-8-0 #154 in Knoxville (about 2hrs away) has just finished a restoration and will be pulling her first passenger trains in about 50 years this weekend.

My guess is that someone got their Southern steam engines a bit confused.
Kevin

[crazytiger]

Yeah, I meant 154. I'm sorry.

[oldsteamfan]

No matter how you slice it, on my upcoming birthday this September, I will NOT be 69 years old - I will be 53, the age I was when NS ended their original program in 1994. I was 25 in 1966 when I rode with 4501 from Richmond VA to Keysville. I was 50 when I rode with her and the 611&1218 out of Chattanooga during the 25th Anniversary Weekend. Steam will be back, that's what's pushing my pedal to the floor at the present moment!!