When I was a child of about 6,I remember crying because I thought I would never see a steam locomotive roaring across the country.I had ben fed on stories from my relatives who worked around steam and loved to hear their stories,but it broke my heart at the times because I never thyoughtI would see one.

Then,in 1976 at the tender age of 13,I was introduced to big steam via the American Freedom Train with the mighty 610.

Fast forward another five years . I'm in college,and working on steam.

A few more years,and I'm qualified to run steam.

A few years later,I'm still learning about steam while we're rebuilding ours here in Austin.

While i'm not a great mechanical person,I know how to run them,and I think run them very well,and am always seeking ways to become even better,both operationally and mechanically. I'm a healthy 41 years old and relish the chance to work on steam as often as I can.

Steam does not have to die. I have some"dream " projects I would love to complete one day (610 comes to mind) and I am in the position to say that the railraod I am in charge of here in Texas can take almost anyting that can roll on rails,including the 610.

Perhaps the place for such a repositorium of steam is in a place that has a good metropolitan base,good track,passable scenery,multiple destinations,and places to let steam be steam!
If anyone wants to seriously consider this,I am more than open to listening. I have a plan....but putting it in place takes money.the track is here,the will is here.....want to bring the locomotives,I'm sure we can work it out....



kbcotton@flash.net

First generation super power; Will Woodards early masterpiece. Possibly the most mechanically significant non-articulated locomotive extant.

I first saw the 610 in 1976 at the age of 6. got a cab tour and freaked out the engineer (and my 16 year old sister) by correctly identifying all of the significant levers required to operate it.

That is what the Almighty intended a freight engine to look (and SOUND) like.

Some times I think the only reason I do this stuff is in the hope that one day I might get to graduate from these old log hogs and get on the road with that beetle browed beauty.

If I ever win the lottery, I will be a thoroughly dangerous man.............

Lima may have built bigger, newer, and better, but the Grandad of super power has a presence and style all his own.

I have to agree. I last saw 610 on one of its final trips for the Southern in 1980. Chattanooga to Crossville excursion. I was only seven, but that Sunday morning photo-runby was unforgettable. Lots of smoke, lots of noise. Please, lets not rule out running this one again.

> First generation super power; Will Woodards
> early masterpiece. Possibly the most
> mechanically significant non-articulated
> locomotive extant.

> I first saw the 610 in 1976 at the age of 6.
> got a cab tour and freaked out the engineer
> (and my 16 year old sister) by correctly
> identifying all of the significant levers
> required to operate it.

> That is what the Almighty intended a freight
> engine to look (and SOUND) like.

> Some times I think the only reason I do this
> stuff is in the hope that one day I might
> get to graduate from these old log hogs and
> get on the road with that beetle browed
> beauty.

> If I ever win the lottery, I will be a
> thoroughly dangerous man.............

> Lima may have built bigger, newer, and
> better, but the Grandad of super power has a
> presence and style all his own.


wallis@netdoor.com

Yes, I rode behind 'er today. Oh, you're talking about "Big 610"? I rode on "Little 610" at TVRM!

Chattanooga was blessed to have been in the right place at the right time. All of Southern's steam motive power (owned or hired) made appearances in town, many on their 'break in runs' from Birmingham. It is also one of only a few places served by "both 610's"!

And both 610's were used by Southern (or NS) in "official" excursion service at one time or another. Unlike "Big 610", "Little 610" now operates daily (in Chattanooga.) Happy steaming!

Home of "Little 610"
sfreer@tvrail.com

Little 610 sounds awfully big when she's climbing the grade at Grand Junction!

As well as a numerical association with T&P 610, TVRM 610 is also a Lima. Well, kinda. She's B-L-H or Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton, outshopped in 1952.



More photos of "Little 610"
sfreer@tvrail.com

I've not discussed this much, even with close friends, but about three years ago I had made an effort to put some funding together and try to get a steam operation off the ground in as feasible a manner as possible. This was right after I had been laid-off. What I found was that even with extra time on my hands, the demands of getting the project off the ground would consume resources far beyond my means. The project simmers in the back of my mind, though I think the time may have come and gone...

However, I think someone will make it happen. I focused my research and effort on a railroad town with an already-established tourist market based upon its history. The railroad physical plant is virtually intact, and includes potential operation to 5 different destinations within 75 miles, all with intact turning facilities. There are also at least 6 legit yer-round tourist destinations on these routes which would provide for an hour or two layover (my mantra of take them some where, give them something to do, take them back).

All of the track is in good or almost-good shape, and there was the possibility of easy out-and-back 45 minute trips (also with a layover destination is desired).

Anyway, I did all my homework and cost projections for start up with leased diesel power and three coaches (also available in the vicinity). My five-year plan was to establish an excellent family experience that was sustainable with a bare-bones crew, and use the viability of the operation as leverage to grow into a steam operation... if after 5 years the operation proved itself a draw.

The overall costs were not as scary as I expected, and I believed the prospects of financing were pretty good.

Maybe I got cold feet, or maybe it really was too daunting a project to tackle without a partner.

I still think I am on to something, but political changes have shuffled the deck. We'll see if someday the idea comes back, either via me or someone with the rest of the resources.

Rob



trains@robertjohndavis.com

I also had the priveledge of riding 2716's inaugural excursion out of Chattanooga the following year. It was weird. We lived right on the SR main only minutes from Alexandria, Va., another "hotbed of steam" but for some reason my dad never took us on the Virginia trips. But just about every year from about '75-'81 we would go to Chattanooga to ride TVRM's Autumn Leaf Specials. I think the TVRM trips coincided with homecoming week at his alma mater nearby. After '81 we rode the Virginia trips more.

> Yes, I rode behind 'er today. Oh, you're
> talking about "Big 610"? I rode on
> "Little 610" at TVRM!

> Chattanooga was blessed to have been in the
> right place at the right time. All of
> Southern's steam motive power (owned or
> hired) made appearances in town, many on
> their 'break in runs' from Birmingham. It is
> also one of only a few places served by
> "both 610's"!

> And both 610's were used by Southern (or NS)
> in "official" excursion service at
> one time or another. Unlike "Big
> 610", "Little 610" now
> operates daily (in Chattanooga.) Happy
> steaming!


wallis@netdoor.com

Rob,

It is good to dream!

I think that you have many of the elements that you need to operate a steam excursion.

I think the major element will be owning your own tracks. Between bearings and insurence I seems to me you will have to have your own plallce to run the train. that way there is no $25 million insurence bill from Nor Southern or who ever.

Lessor amounts of insurence still needed though.

Keep the dream alive.

Ted Miles



ted_miles@nps.gov