TVRM’s Steam Locomotive 4501 to Receive Boiler Survey


Chattanooga, TN – July 31, 2008

On August 1, 2008, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s former-Southern Railway steam locomotive 4501 will enter Soule Shops for a Federal Railroad Administration Part 230 boiler survey. This inspection will provide, for the first time, a detailed map of the 4501’s boiler and is required for steam locomotives operating in the United States. The survey will help determine the feasibility of future operation for this now-retired star of the steam excursion operations on the former-Southern Railway throughout the Southeast during the late 1960s, 70s and 80s.

This survey, while required for any future operation, should not be taken as an indicator of the locomotive’s impending return to service. Coupled with additional inspection data, the survey is solely intended to determine the scope of work and financial requirements of any future restoration.

The survey and inspection is funded by donations from a small group of TVRM members and benefactors who wish to make available data for future restoration projects. The donations will fully fund this effort without requiring any TVRM financial resources. The survey will be performed by TVRM’s steam restoration team and will take approximately two months to complete.

TVRM intends to complete restoration of former-Southern Railway steam locomotive 630 prior to beginning work on any other steam locomotive. This project has been ongoing for almost five years and, barring any unforeseen difficulties, 630 will return to service in 2009.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is the premier operating railroad museum in the Southeast, operating a variety of scenic and historic rail passenger trains and offering other rail-related activities throughout the year. TVRM is a not-for-profit educational organization; donations are tax-deductible. For more information on any of TVRM’s activities, track us down on the Web at www.tvrail.com.

Ok, I'll take the bait...

It's about time!!! I do indeed miss the Famous! Something positive to be excited about! At least with a full survey, we'll extinguish all conjecture (including my own!). I've long thought she needed to see the Doctor... now we'll have a real prognonsis. Perhaps it will be positive enough to "put her little feet down the path" by her centennial - just maybe...

Look Ahead, Look South!
Mike Brown

That's GREAT news! I was at the museum a few weeks ago. Here's a picture of the locomotive in it's currant state. I would love to see this locomotive ride the rails again!

Andy

It's news-true. "Great" news remains to be seen. It could come up with no problems-ideal circumstances, some problems-more likely or a lot of problems-who knows?

Doing the boiler survey is indeed important as it will give an estimate of what it would take to put the locomotive back in running order. However, with operating costs on the rise the railroad will have to take a hard look at finances and existing operating conditions and make the most responsible financial decision.