Someone had asked for a progress on Southern Railway Ks-1 630 so I'll try to offer one.

Boiler - Completion of the boiler work has been the primary focus for the past several months. All welding related to firebox repairs has been completed. This includes several patches, pad welding, and replacement of flexible sleeves. The water column, water glasses, turret, safety valve manifold, low water alarm and one of two boiler checks have been refurbished and installed. All the boiler studs have been renewed. 18 of 19 front tube sheet braces have been reinstalled following the replacement of the first 13 inches of the 1st boiler course (this includes a new front tube sheet and smokebox). The last brace will be installed after the new dry pipe is installed. New bolting has been installed for the smokebox to cylinder saddle connection. Work remaining includes fabrication of the new dry pipe (all the pieces have been made and needs to be welded together), installation of the second boiler check and blow-off valves, repairs to the dome cap, installation of the throttle valve, installation of the dry pipe and superheater header, and the completion of staybolt and rivet installation. The last of the staybolts and rivets may been put in this week. We will not put the tubes in until the wheels have been installed.

Running Gear - Not much to say here. The new tires were delivered and have been installed. The wheel centers were machined before the tires were installed. The journals and hubs have also been machined. One wheelset has been in the Quartering Machine. Three of the eight new driving boxes have been machined and are ready for brass. We have also received the new roller bearing equipped wheelset for the lead truck. New springs, saddles, dolphin beams, equalizers, hangers, etc. have been fabricated and are awaiting installation. We have bored out one set of valves cages but we have one cage to replace before we can finish the other side. Other work remaining includes boring the cylinders, machining the frame pedestals (weld build up is done), repairing worn holes and bushings in the frame, rework of all the brake riggings, turning new rod bushings, making repairs to a worn-out lead truck, and then putting it all together.

Tender - Drawings have been made for a welded 10,000 gallon tank based on a design created by the Coster Shops (Knoxville). Ks 831 was equipped with such a tender. This tank will be applied to 4501's tender frame (this matches the SR practice) and roller bearing trucks added. We have not yet solicited bids to have the tank built. I should also add that the present tender behind 630 is not its original tank. It came from a later batch that had higher water and coal capacity (6,000 gallons original versus 7,500 gallons on the replacement). The original tender was also shorter.

Overall - Once all the above is done, we still have to install the air brake system and all the other stuff to make it go. We are giving strong consideration to going with a Lempor exhaust. A new smokebox front has already been finished and a new door procured (thanks to the 765 folks!).

When finished, 630 should be in the best shape it has been in since the 1940's or even earlier. We have two major conventions coming to Chattanooga next year with one in May and the other in August. Perhaps the Steam Gods will smile on us and she'll be in steam for both of those events.

I will now open the floor for any questions.

I will clarify that when Mark mentions using 4501's tender frame, he is referring to the Oh-One's "original" frame....or at least the one she came from K&T with in 1964 (is it really the 4501's vintage 1911 version?) The current tender frame mated to 4501 is of Central of Georgia heritage to which the Norfolk Southern Steam Program fitted an all welded tank around 1984. Southern subbed the CofG tender in the mid-1970's to increase capacities. The "short" tender has been in storage at TVRM since that time.

Any photos of 630 in service available on the net?

JKB

Railpictures has several of 630 pulling an Atlanta-Toccoa excursion back in the 70s.

Although S&A 750 holds many special memories from helping service her on the Atlanta trips, the first MAINLINE steam I rode behind was 630. We road in a special section of coaches behind the Southerner or the Crescent to Gainesville. Our small section of coaches were detached right next to 630 (facing south) and I got to ride behind her back to Atlanta. This was 1969 or 1970.

I doubt I'll see 750 run again, but it is nice to know I can see 630 in the not to distant future. (maybe Colorado will paint FEC 148 as S&A 750 for a trip - yeah right - dream on - all it takes is money)

Doug