And Then There Was One - Vignette #2: Mainline Return

After a 21-year absence, 4501 returned to the mainline for a test run on May 1st, 2015. This is how the event unfolded, as told by the crew and our cameras.
For more information and updates on the project, check out our Facebook page:
4501film

[@4501trainman]

Glad to see my favorite steam engine Southern 4501 is running again on the mainline. The sound of her whistle is ''priceless''.

[@emileejohnson4263]

I had to cry when I was watching the video. If I had not known better I would have thought my Grandaddy was driving that train, which he did when it went from Memphis to Chattanooga when it was on the Southern line.

[@CharlieSill62VO]

I know now that I grew up in the wrong era! There is something sweetly sad when I watch videos like this-the music choice is perfect! Evan, Jacob and Chip-EXCELLENT JOB!

[@tact86]

Beautiful Video, Beautiful Locomotive!

[@gleanerk]

THANKS!!!! I'm like whistle stop , it made want to cry with JOY!! Rode an excursion win I was a teenager , "old 4501 green " in the 70's. Time has flown by ! I wish I'd get restored!!!! Lol

[@rileyodonald3034]

Absolutely beautiful, makes me wanna cry

[@jdgindustries2734]

Awesome video guys, thanks for sharing!

[@SEABOARDSYSTEMfan]

You have a professional production here Evan. You have some of the finest railroad related videos on KZbin; you should be proud.

[@rileyodonald3034]

The shot at about 5:40 is amazing of the NS behind the 01

[@manokiller]

Whistle Stop Productions No joke, that is a great shot.

[@robkrasinski6217]

It's too bad that NS decided to end 21st Century Steam and no longer operate trips with the 4501 as well as the 765. But the 611 ran again this year, I rode it from Manassas, VA for the first time. 4501 only got one year on the mainline since returning to service last year. And it didn't operate very many trips on NS last year, either. Now the 630 and 4501 will only run on the TVRM's own track, and the line into Georgia. No more trips to/from Bristol, VA or Atlanta, GA for example. It seems that the NS/TVRM partnership ended, and NS dropped insurance coverage for excursions, VMT had to pay for their own insurance this year for 611 excursions. Charles "Wick" Moorman former CEO of NS retired end of last year, the new program started because of him, he's a big steam fan. Jim Squires, new CEO isn't as excursion friendly as Wick I heard. It is unsure if 611 will run on NS again in 2017.

[@michaelingram2492]

not only did they cut it short,they didnt even get to do the last 21st century steam trip from atlanta to tocoa(i think thats how they spell it) because of a rain delay and possible wash out

[@FutureRailProductions]

Kind of hard to imagine what the engineer of the NS train was thinking when he saw 4501 pulling onto the main as he was rounding the curve. But I think it was probably along the lines of "Holy crap."

[@jdgindustries2734]

Probably the same think I was thinking May of 2013 when 765 hauled the mainline excursion from Enola to Gallitzin and return. I had just pulled up to "Cove" on the signalled siding between "Cannon" and "Banks" in Harrisburg Terminal and brought my train to a stop. A few minutes later, here came the 765 thundering by with the train headed for Altoona. My only regret was I didn't get off the engine and get a picture/video of the train headed passed.

[@cwhuffman01]

Amazing video!

[@ncrailfan]

Great Video!

[@YardLimit]

Wow, Evan! Amazing work!

[@littleorca68]

Beautiful!

[@stewarttrains98]

Awesome work, looking forward to the final product and hopefully seeing her in Atlanta and on the Macon runs

[@rosalindadams5249]

I watched the whole video and the 4501 must have been a sight to behold! Growing up in California,I have never been on a steam engine,and when they blow the horn,so sorrowful.pierces the soul.Truly a beauty!

[@k4kfh]

Would you be willing to share just the scanner audio from 7:40, separate from the steam sounds? I'd like to put that radio audio on a model railroad DCC decoder.

[@chobeeboy44]

They need to take 4501up to Knoxville for a Vols home game! That would be awesome!

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

Pine Hill Road was one of the best shots!!

[@trainlover123trainsrock]

3:41 and the bell spin strikes again!

[@armagonarmagon3980]

I keep on hearing rumors (note: rumors) of a possible (note: possible) "Steam Days at Spencer" event in 2016 which I keep on hearing from some of my friends. Could someone shed some light on this, as I think it is highly unlikely. Also, is 4501 wearing a Crosby 3-chime?

[@SouthernerFloridain2006]

Armagon Armagon I thinks it’s a Southern top lever 3 chime

[@themerrigans2734]

not a train fan, but really nice job whoever put this all together. loved the video, great shots. drone maybe? good luck keeping it going.

[@bov634]

UP restored 4014. The question is, NS are you willing to get one upped? Make oil conversions mandatory, put 79 mph restrictions on steam and show UP how it's done.

[@douglasschultz9808]

Johnny Cash driving this engine is reason enough to keep alive forever.

[@norfolksouthernproductions5400]

in the background Thomas was there because of day out with Thomas 2015

[@trainnut2012]

Was there at the curve at 7:05 old girl sounded and looked good.

[@docholliday5472]

Looks cool. I've got a question about the 4501. Was it in Manasses, VA in 1983-84? When I was 3 or 4 a green steam locomotive that looked a lot like the 4501 passed the house we had just moved into. It was the first time I had ever seen a train. It don't know if it was the 4501, but I think it was. For years I've been trying to find out what engine I saw with my grandad when I was little.

[@rileyodonald3034]

I'm not sure but it could have been 722

[@agwsdad]

Ryan Shipp The 722 was operating at TVRM in the mid 1980's and no longer making mainline excursions. In the sping of 1985, the 4501 made it's last runs to Alexandria, Manassas, Charlottesville, and Front Royal, Virginia. It was painted green and gold at that time so it was definitely 4501. At that time it had not operated on the mainline since 1981.

[@rileyodonald3034]

Well I didn't really know, I was just making a suggestion

[@docholliday5472]

Whistle Stop Productions Thanks. I've been trying to figure out which train it was for years. You have answered my question and I appreciate it.

[@agw265]

Whistle Stop Productions And it was a good guess! it had to be one of the two :)

[@thomasbush5778]

Any date when this project will be complete?

[@csx6900]

Hi Thomas! We're aiming for a release date this Spring.

[@mrshea924]

7:42 four five zero one