Lookin' GOOD!!!!

And more....
Chattanooga, Tennessee (August 27, 2014) - The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) today announces the return of their iconic Steam Locomotive 4501 to operation. TVRM has been restoring Locomotive 4501 over the past three years and she will make her public debut at Tennessee Valley Railfest on September 6 & 7. The locomotive last ran in 1998 and has patiently waited to be completely overhauled. The locomotive restoration specialists at TVRM began the project in 2011 and it has continued nonstop since that time. The 4501 is rolling out of Soule Shops in East Chattanooga looking better than ever. After testing and various final adjustments, the locomotive will make its public debut at the Railfest celebration..

“This is a dream come true,” said TVRM spokesperson Steve Freer. “Many of us at TVRM grew up riding behind 4501 (often simply referred to as “the 01”) and loved every minute of it. With the diminishing demand for main line rail excursions in the 1990’s, large locomotives were relegated to storage or display. However, 4501 is returning to active operation. It is a great day for TVRM and we are thrilled to make this example of living history available to the public.”

Railfest is an annual celebration of railroading at TVRM, which includes train rides, special exhibits, interesting displays, model railroads, children’s activities, live entertainment, and more. The debut of Locomotive 4501 will feature a public dedication at Railfest. Tickets for Railfest on September 6 & 7 are only $20 adults and $15 children (per day) and are available online at www.tvrail.com.

Locomotive 4501 has an interesting history: She was built for Southern Railway in 1911 and worked for 37 years before being forced out of service by a wave of modern diesel locomotives. Instead of being scrapped as so many other steamers were, 4501 was sold in 1948 to the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway in Stearns, Kentucky, to haul coal from mines served by the K&T. After 16 years serving the K&T, 4501 was sold to Chattanooga railroad enthusiast Paul Merriman in 1964. Merriman was a TVRM founder and president at the time, and brought Locomotive 4501 to Chattanooga for display and possible operation. This is just what the fledgling museum needed, as 4501 was a highly visible symbol of steam railroading. Shortly thereafter, Southern Railway leased the engine from TVRM to be used throughout their system as a roving ambassador and to pull public rail excursions, which continued until 1994. Back in home in Chattanooga, TVRM was able to operate the locomotive until its boiler certification ran out in 1998. Since other steam locomotives were operating at TVRM at the time, 4501 rested in semi-retirement until 2011 when Norfolk Southern inaugurated their “21st Century Steam” program. 21st Century Steam is a program of excursions for Norfolk Southern employees and the general public, utilizing steam locomotives on a limited number of trips on Norfolk Southern rail lines. TVRM’s Locomotive 630 has been participating in the programs since 2011, and now with the help of many contributors, including Norfolk Southern, 4501 will join the program in 2015.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a non-profit, educational organization founded by volunteers in 1961 with a mission to preserve, restore, and operate historic railway equipment. Trains operate within Chattanooga daily in season with many additional special events and excursion trips throughout each year. Every ticket sold is a fundraiser to keep the history of American railroading alive and available for the public to experience. For more information and schedules, please visit www.tvrail.com.

Steve,

Congratulations to you and the shop crew on another fantastic restoration. I remember the last run of the 01 before being put in storage. That was the longest period that she's been stored since she was built. She has many years of good service ahead!

Alan Walker

Finally! Thank You so much TVRM and NS, I was born to late to see the 4501 operate, and have waited for years for it to finally happen! I will be at Railfest to see her (along with everyone else) and to thank TVRM for their efforts and dedication to bring her back! Thanks so much TVRM and may your signals always be clear.

Holy Toledo!!! She looks GREAT!!!! Jim Bistline MUST be smiling down from Heaven about now!!!!

Isn't she glorious?

Team Black Wins. ^_^

Team Green Loses -_-

Long Live Southern 4501!! @_@

Enjoy! ^_^

There are a few on the second page that puzzle me. In the group of pics showing the smoke box front install, what is the fabrication that is installed at the lower front of the smoke box just inside the front? There is a close up taken from inside. It appears to be insulation sandwiched between steel. I'm no expert, but tend to think I know the guts fairly well. Haven't seen that before...

I always enjoyed the green "Southern" and "Southern Crescent" paint schemes myself, but these engines do look very good in black. Thanks for the posting.

That is an interesting widget. I'm pretty sure it's intended to (a) smooth the flow of exhaust gases under the table plate and up into the netting near the front of the smokebox and (b) protect the inside of the smokebox front from cinder errosion and heat. I'd think it will improve the performance somewhat by allowing the engine to flow more exhaust gases for a given backpressure at the exhaust nozzle. It should also greatly increase the life of the smokebox front as well as reducing the need for regular re-painting (or re-graphiting as the case may be).

Hugh thanks for the insight. I figured that directing exhaust gases is a purpose. And very true regarding erosion of the front's steel. An exhaust whirlpool does form between the Blast nozzle and the lower third of the front which increases the erosive effects of cinders (Carbon) and sulfuric acid (gaseous sulfur and/or sulfur dioxide from coal and steam). If you study the old photo of her front on page 2 you will note the numerous welds to patch the front all caused by the exhaust whirlpool. I can remember the condition of S&A 750's old front in 1987. Sheet steel was welded on the inside to cover holes and Bond-o was globed on the outside to fill the holes. I wonder if a similar contraption was installed in 630's smoke box?

The twin-sealed beam headlight doesn't look so horrible on 4501 after it was placed behind a standard headlight glass. The C&O did a similar modification to the headlights on at least its 2-8-4s.

A lot of work went into this, TVRM, it's employees, contractors and volunteers have something to be proud of. Also, 4501 should be able to give years of reliable service.

Steaming up this morning!

https://www.facebook.com/southern4501

David -

I agree the the twin-sealed beam headlight is not a bad addition. Some railroads however, located the two lights horizontal instead of vertical (the B&O comes to mind) and then the looks weren't so good. Of course, this is just an opinion.

Found a photo of a B&O 4-8-2 with the horizontal twin-beams:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=970635


Les