Have not heard anything for a long time about Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's restoration of Southern Ry. 2-8-0 630.Also have any decisions been made about what locomotive will be restored next such as CN 5288,K&T 10 or the Central of Georgia 4-4-0?Are their any new diesel restorations in the works?

Well since you asked..

Work tempo on the 630 is increasing each week. Drivers 1, 2 and 3 have had their journals and wheel centers turned and hubs faced. Weld repairs are nearing completion on Driver 4. Machining of the first new driving box is about 60% complete. All the new spring rigging components and springs are on the floor ready for installation. I am now drawing the replacement parts needed for the lead truck. The new roller bearing lead truck wheelset is also ready for installation. We still have frame machining and boring work to do. We took our first set of tram measurements this past Saturday and I am pleased with the numbers.

We are also working on the boiler fittings and we will start the replacement of the boiler studs next week. Our efforts on the boiler will also increase in the next couple of weeks. I'd like to have a hydrostatic test on the boiler by mid-May.

The tender tank is going to be replaced with a welded replacement. The new tank will be placed upon 4501's original tender frame. We are duplicating a Coster Shops 10,000 gallon welded tank with this effort.

When will it be finished? I have my fingers crossed for November but there is an awful lot of work to do.

The E8 6914 is sitting in the shop next to the 630. A race of sorts is underway. The E8 is getting a quality electrical rebuild by a crack team of sparkies. I am amazed at the work so far, it looks like it must have when it rolled out of LaGrange.

We are also putting the seats into Coach 1037. The new HVAC system in almost complete and the installation of the diesel generator set is the last major milestone. This coach is going to be our finest effort to date in coach restoration. And when you look at the 906, 661, 1688, etc., that says a lot.

Our other big project for 2005 will be a Table Car to supplement our dining car service. This car is slated to enter service this October.

What's next? Without a doubt, the 5288. Our President wants to see a 4-6-2 steaming on our railroad and SOON!

If you send me your email address offline and become a member of TVRM, I can add you to my weekly update list.

There are new photos of work being done on 630 posted two or three weeks ago on TVRM's website. It looks like they still have a ways to go.

Will the 610 still be operational once the 630 is finished. What is its status and how much time does it have left on flues and such before it will need a major overhaul? Also, whats the condition of the 4501 and are there plans to ever bring her back into service? Thanks!

Will 5288 emerge from the rebuild in her home road's colors, or will she look more like a Ps4?

5288 will come out in Southern colors is my understanding, but not as a Ps4. 5288 is to small to be a Ps4, she will be more along the lines of a Ps2 or 3. I know that TVRM has shown intent to purchase a new larger tender to look more like a Southern tender, I know because Atlanta has something similar to what they need.