Crazy how 15 years ago 154 was said to be rusting and in horrible shape yet in the past decade and a half, she’s been fully restored to operation. It’s amazing what can be done to something that has been outside for all these years.

is the 107 still on display?

Readers should understand that the 154 was given to the G&O and it was they who restored it and who operate it occasionally on their Three Rivers Rambler. Old Smoky had nothing to do with the restoration.
It is a miracle that the engine lives on...it looked pretty bleak for a long time.
T7

What made OS relinquish control of 154, they sound unrealistic and ready to hold on to their decaying collection to the bitter end. $$$?

107 is on display in Pigeon Forge, TN near the entrance to Dollywood, lettered for the Dollywood Express. Dollywood owns 107, it has been passed down through the years. Originally it was stationed at the entrance to the original Rebel Railroad with fellow Smoky Mountain 2-6-0 206 which is now in Chattanooga.

In regards to 154 being given to Gulf and Ohio, I can't speak for either organization but 154 was the only piece of equipment that was not on display at the Southern Railway station in downtown Knoxville. Gulf and Ohio already had a steam program with the Three Rivers Rambler and I assume thought it would be a better home for 154.

Here is the short version of the story.

Southern Railroad donated #154 to the City of Knoxville in 1953 and it was placed on display in Chilhowee Park/Zoo that year. During the World's Fair (1982), there were some plans to restore it and operate excursions, but little was done. With no need for the locomotive, it was donated to Old Smoky in 1989 with the group being responsible for any restoration and maintenance.

The locomotive, while painted a few times, got looking worse and the zoo wanted the land used for other things. After a few years of threats about scrapping, pressure to move it, etc., #154 "reached an agreement to donate the locomotive to Three Rivers Rambler with the idea that the engine will be restored."

Thank you for the informative history.
Not trying to hijack the thread, but what kind of steam power operated through Knoxville area on the Southern back in the day? I assume mostly 2-10-2s/4-8-2s to Asheville, but were Ps4s assigned to the Knoxville division for Bristol-Knox-Chatt/Atlanta service?
I've seen very very few photos of SOU or L&N steam power in the Knoxville area.

Southern operated the smaller P2? Pacifics on Knoxville Division...and the 4-8-2s...often double-headed as needed. The PS-4s had too much weight on the drivers for some of the area bridges so they never operated here. 4-6-0s also pulled some passenger trains.

Freight was pulled by 2-8-0, 2-8-2 and 2-10-2s. You often see photos of freights pulled by double-headed 2-8-0s...600 class. The 2-8-8-2s were not assigned to the division but I have a photo of one at Coster shop so perhaps they came there for work?

T7