Southern Railway 630 shines in the sunlight for a special photo/video shoot. Photo by Mark S. Wurst
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s 1904 Alco, No. 630, began test runs Saturday after a 13-year rebuild and a long period of inactivity beginning in 1989. The Southern Railway 2-8-0 returned to steam was completed in less than a year. The engine and a wood Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis caboose went for break-in runs on the museum’s railroad.
After putting about 30 miles on 630 everything was running fine. Al Phillips of the restoration team said “We still have some detail work to do, but we think she’s going to be a good horse.”
Break-in runs will continue, and the engine is scheduled to begin pulling regular Missionary Ridge Local trains on the museum grounds starting April 2.
No. 630 gained fame as one of the Southern Railway weekend excursion fleet engines in the 1960s and 1970s, but proved to be too slow and not powerful enough to pull long trains. The engine was acquired by TVRM in 1983 to pull trains there. Norfolk Southern plans to use the engine in a new version of its steam program later this year, but no details have been announced.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad currently hosts daily train rides (except Mondays) aboard the Missionary Ridge Local that typically runs 50-55 minutes and the motive power can be either steam or vintage diesel locomotive. The round-trip time includes the layover in East Chattanooga where passengers view the turntable demonstration and the conductor gives a tour into the restoration shop.
Just last summer in August 2010, 20th Century Fox’s new film “Water for Elephants” wrapped a two week shoot in Chattanooga. The film was partially shot in the Chattanooga area, and will have its premiere in Chattanooga April 22 at the Majestic 12 Theater on Broad Street.
The role of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in providing a vintage train and dedicated 3-mile track for the film set was the key to landing the shoot with 20th Century Fox. “The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is what makes Chattanooga unique for filming,” says TVRM Marketing Coordinator Steve Freer, who has been working for almost two years to attract “Water for Elephants” to film in Chattanooga.
The Low-Tech Times › The Return of Southern 630
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has completed the restoration of Southern 630, to be used in Norfolk Southern’s upcoming 21st Century Steam program. Excursions and appearances are expected to be announced shortly. …
Publish Date: 03/21/2011 20:47
http://lowtechtimes.com/2011/03/21/the-return-of-southern-630/
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum News
Train Tuesdays Southern 630 / NS Steam Program Update The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Soule Shops complex is one of the premier remaining locations to restore and maintain steam locomotives today in the United States. …
Publish Date: 03/01/2011 21:31
http://lowtechtimes.com/2011/03/01/tennessee-valley-railroad-museum-news/
Water For Elephants” Chattanooga Premier Date Set | blackfridays …
“the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is what makes Chattanooga unique for filming,” says TVRM Marketing Coordinator Steve Freer, who has been working for almost two years to attract “Water for Elephants” to film in Chattanooga. …
Publish Date: 03/23/2011 1:30
http://blackfridays-ads.com/?p=22858
post a comment – Spunk-Ransom.Com || Robert Pattinson
The role of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in providing a vintage train and dedicated 3-mile track for the film set was the key to landing the shoot with 20th Century Fox. “The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is what makes …
Publish Date: 03/22/2011 15:38
http://www.spunk-ransom.com/2011/03/22/news-channel-9-water-for-elephants-chattanooga-premier-date-set/
Twilightish: ‘Water for Elephants’ to premiere in Chattanooga
“The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is what makes Chattanooga unique for filming,” says TVRM Marketing Coordinator Steve Freer, who has been working for almost two years to attract “Water for Elephants” to film in Chattanooga. …
Publish Date: 03/22/2011 11:43
http://www.twilightish.com/2011/03/water-for-elephants-to-premiere-in.html
One Response to Tennessee Valley RR to add Southern 630 Steam