WOW !! How cool is this ??!!

I had the privilege of visiting TVRM 2X in 2001. Even got the 610 cab ride and went for a spin on the turntable grinning all the way.

I asked about the 4501, at the time, one of the guys there threw out the $250K number for boiler/running gear repair. I'm sure it'll cost more nowadays. She looked in great just sitting there awaiting her time back on the rails. :)

Mike

The 4501 could handle 10 to 12 cars up to 50 mph, the 630 could handle 7 to 8 cars up to 40, anything faster and she started doing damage to herself. The 610 was called upon back in the early 1990's to sub for an ailing 1218 that had slipped a driver tire while crossing Tennbridge.

Ive been going there since 1976, when they only ran about 2 miles of track and all of their equipment was on display at the East End. I remember when they used that British tank engine for a time and a small 0-4-0 for a time as well, somewhere I also have some Super 8 movies on DVD that show the TVRM's open air cars........

Thank you Wick Moorman for bring back the NS Steam Program. ^_^

I was 9 years old, when the old program was canned back in 1994. I remember learning about the news from my long time neighborhood friend at a Cub Scout meeting, and it broke my heart cried a lot that evening. During that, I got ride the NRHS Bluewater trips with my parents from Melvindale, MI (Detroit Metro Area) to Ft. Wayne, IN.

Did the following NRHS Bluewater trips:
- 1991 > N&W 1218
- 1992 > N&W 611
- 1993 > NKP 587
- 1994 > N&W 611

As for this NEW steam program, for NS, starting out small is a good thing, because that's how the old program started out back in 1966. I'm certain as time goes on they would want to run larger steamers from former NS road names. I've got my picks for future steam locomotives.

Servicing facilities to based the new program out would be either: Altoona, PA, Irondale AL, or Roanoke VA. As for current available NS steam locomotive power, NKP 765 & USA 610 are ready to roll out! SOU 630 & 4501 are almost completed.

As for equipment they would be using: NS F-Units, NS Business Cars, TVRM Passenger Cars, and NRHS Passenger Cars. They could also use Amtrak & AAPRCO equipment.

I hope to enjoy this new program ss I did for the old one. Once again, thank you very much Wick Moorman! Alleluia!! Amen!!

Kevin,
Again, being 50 miles out of town and only around on weekends, I may not be totally correct on this. We have not run any through trips on the C&C to Summerville since the washouts, and I think repairs have only been done to around Chickamauga. Diesel trips turn there at the moment, and the entire place is 10mph (even using the 2594 GP-30 is not much fun at 10mph all day from what I hear). It's my understanding the current operators don't want steam on the light track structure at this time. Also, the state of GA was allocating some money for repairs, but I have not heard lately how that is working out. So we'll have to wait and see how things go.
Mike.

With that said, I am glad that this venture with NS will give 610, 630 and 4501 some place to go other than the lovely but short Missionary Ridge Local trips until/if the situation changes on the C&C. I would also assume that WT 51, the auxilary water tender would be hitting the road with the steamers as well on the NS trips?

Steven Ashley
Spartanburg, SC

Steven Ashley

I think the reason for the bigger trains back in day were to meet the demand and to cover the costs. I believe the ultimate goal of the old steam program was to at least break even. The money NS charged the clubs to rent the trains would cover the cost of running the program for the year. The new program appears to be something NS will do out of pocket so, there is little or no concern on breaking even. (There might be a few trips a year like 4 or 5 day charters that NS will want to break even on but, for the most part it's all a PR tool)

As for 611, I wouldn't even begin to think about that for another 5 years. The biggest hurdle restoring 611 is having shop to do it in and the tools to do it with. So, NS would have to make a pretty hefty investment before they can even start a restoration.

NS doesn't need a restoration shop and tools - they need operating locomotives for various time periods, and they have the ability to get them when they need them. I'm very pleased that the cost of doing a program like this with relatively low capitalization required can provide real bang for the buck in terms of public awareness and goodwill, relative to some sort of media-driven ad campaign which might be easily forgotten if not ignored by most people. Kudos and thanks, Mr Moorman.

611 - who wouldn't? I'd venture to suggest if funding can be gathered, talent and tooling will be found available from TVRR or another qualified source. Starting small makes sense before more complex commitments are considered.

I'm actually hoping selling rides isn't the focus of this effort - I have as many nightmares about the old NS trips as good memories, mostly due to the dogs' breakfast of decrepit coaches in unreliable condition, ekeing out their last miles of marginal usefulness. Small trains running focussed trips for business and public relations purposes done well would suit me better.

I think we all owe Jason, Dave, Sandberg, the Great Gramling Touring Company, UP and some select others a debt of gratitude as well for demonstrating such things are not only possible but can be done well with minimal disruption and wide appeal, making the concept an attractive one for NS to consider.

I'm pleased to have lived this long, never thought I'd have a chance to see this again.

dave

Seeing 611 would be nice................

But as you say the steam shop at Irondale is long gone. Also, dont forget that E8 that the TVRM is working on plus they have the Southern 6910 there (albeit in a billion pieces).

Here is a youtube video I found of 630 with FP-7 diesels in 1977.I would expect future runs of 630 will be with a pair of the NS F-9s so the experience should be similar to this-minus the open window coaches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_65_U8MU_ok

I recall seeing 4501 leading three or four FP-7's on an NRHS Convention trip at Bulls Gap quite a few years ago now. I only ever saw it running unassisted once, and that was along the French Broad River between Asheville and Knoxville, also many years ago.

For every story you know about the NS program there are probably 10 more that you haven't heard. How many know that 611 put 3 drivers on the ground in Chattanooga in 89? Or that 4501 hit and killed a transient sleeping on the tracks in 91? How many sleepless nights were there because of broken AC units on the train? Then there was the time local management decided 1218 would need helpers.... There could probably be 5 books written about all the behind the scenes stuff.

And let's not forget the two mid 80s trips where not so big ex PRR 4-4-2 & 4-4-0 doubleheaded over the Rockville Bridge on one trip & down the mainline to Philly & back at high speed on another.

A link to the past...

Popular Mechanics, September 1985: 611 on the Cover and starting with page 90
http://books.google.com/books?id=d-MDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA90&ots=nK7k4MZy7p&dq=%22popular%20mechanics%22%20norfolk%20and%20western%20611&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q&f=false

The gentlemen you mention were railroaders during the last days of steam - and the time frame was 25 years ago. Today's brass hats grew up with Dash 2's. The steam railroaders POV has retired along with those that shared it.

The "old" NS steam program was something special - but not the only thing steamy and special. UP wasn't any less special just because you didn't experience it. CSRM Railfairs were a different kind of special. Cass and D&S early mornings at the enginehouse at the height of operating days - very special again in another way. Many were "touched" at the big events, some still that way, and fewer of us were already "tetched" enough to get up early for the other stuff.

The "new" NS steam program HAS to be better than the old one was - today's riders require a higher standard of passenger comfort and reliability, and don't generally remember the first days of AMTRAK with the declining heritage fleet fondly, if at all. Most don't want all day survival trips either. It can't be designed for railfans only or it has already failed.

My guess is the general public appreciating the experience of being trackside when the steam train passes, or at the local depot (if one remains) when the train arrives and departs, will be the most positive result. Steam trips focussing on freight customers and public sector decision makers, the most practical positive results. Tickets we buy to ride - what we have to do if we want to see the program survive by helping it pay its way. I'm hoping there is some other means of showing financial support, like gift shop stuff to buy, since observers who aren't riders will reach into their pockets to get Junior a souvenier.

I'm really looking forward to the first trip through Charlotte. Maybe a short visit at GSMRR might be nice as well.

dave