After the domain had been blank for a while, Norfolk Southern's site for the new steam program finally came online today. There are links with interviews from steam program veterans Paul Brock and Bob Saxtan as well as videos of the 630 and 610 in operation. I am impressed with the website and look forward to seeing more updates in the future.

http://www.21stcenturysteam.com

I wonder if this will answer our question if 4501 will be black or green

Thanks to everyone for the great information!
Very interesting thread!
Bruce

One quick look at the 21st Century Steam website should answer the question concerning the color of 4501 once she emerges from Soule Shops.

--Bill Schafer

I like the new website, especially the "Behind the Scenes" portion. Back in the late 70's I was priveleged to spend some time on the old "Southern Steam Program" as a mechanic/general flunky/trainee fireman. Paul Brock was a mentor to us youngsters, and most of what I know of steam was learned from him, Carl Krueger, and "The Boss", W.J. Purdie. I had some very happy hours learning to fire from Paul on 4501, 630, and 722.

Food for thought on 4501 (as I climb into my "Nomex" suit in preparation for flaming by purist foamers). That new welded tender from the 1980's would certainly look good, and much more "vintage-ey" with dummy rivets, and possibly a set of high speed trucks from an Amtrak material handling car. Modern freight car trucks are kind of clunky looking under historic equipment. Black is much more compatible with the current NS tuscan red than green. The black pre-1926 passenger paint scheme with all the gold striping would look good on her, and still be reminiscent of her "green & gold" days. No, it's not authentic, but neither was the green she wore in the excursion era. The 4501 of today is not the same locomotive as she was in 1940 or 1976. She has a new role to play as a public relations ambassador for NS and TVRM.

I agree with Gary...
on the tender trucks,
and the green paint.
The 4501 looked classy in excursion green, while the train was SRY green and stainless cars.
Green engines and red cars don't mix... imho

Put me down as agreeing with Gary Gray and RDG 179 on the subjects of tender trucks, rivets, and black paint (at least for this job).

Of course, this is a bit of nit-picking--but wouldn't it be nice if the guys at TVRM got the chance to go with some of these "extras?"

Anyone know who designed the website? TVRM or NS (via an agency)?


Rob

With their drop equalizers, the MHC trucks do recall the appearance of Commonwealth tender trucks. How does the weight of a loaded locomotive tender compare to an MHC, though?

Walt L.

NS just releases a "teaser trailer" of sorts for the 21st century steam excursions on it's facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/norfolksouthern

The 21st Century Steam website was designed completely in-house at Norfolk Southern, with some advice from TVRM.

--Bill Schafer

Am I the only one getting a blank screen with music playing? I can't seem to get the web site to load properly.

Norfolk Southern has issued a press release announcing the first steam excursions as part of the "21st Century Steam" program. They will take place over the Labor Day weekend as part of TVRM's "Railfest". Tickets can be ordered through the TVRM website, www.tvrail.com.

--Bill Schafer

When I was using my iPad last night I could not get the site to load. Today I tried it on my laptop using both IE and Mozilla and it worked fine.

I have noticed that the website would not work on my iPhone. I believe the website may use Adobe Flash, which does not work on most Apple products. The website loads just fine on my desktop PC.