Southern 630 & 4501: 60 Years of Tennessee Valley Steam

In October 2021, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum celebrated their 60th Anniversary. The highlight of the event was a doubled Missionary Ridge Local schedule, with their operating steam locomotives 630 and 4501 each heading a train, passing each way at McCarty siding just west of the Chickamauga Creek trestle. Another highlight was engine 610, which was put back together and dragged out of its shed for a night photo session I was sadly unable to attend due to work. This was the first chance to see the museum's former workhorse in the sun for many years, and also provided the first chance for the public to get a good glimpse at Kentucky and Tennessee 10 in a long time as well. The weekend also saw the first public exhibition in the museum's recently acquired property across the parking lot from Grand Junction Station, featuring model railroads and an exhibit on the museum's history. Overall this was a grand event and I wish to congratulate and thank TVRM and all the men and women who have worked to keep the South's railroading heritage alive these past 60 years.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

i love number 630 and 4501 and number 610.

[@olivebogues3581]

630 has an insane whistle

[@amtrakandcsxrailfanning351]

awesome video and catches and ride alongs at this railroad with these 2 steamers nice whstle action too

[@MaddoxsTrains]

I was just there today and saw 4501 and 630 keeping the rails busy all day. Great experience!!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Enjoyed the upload found it very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@SmokyMtnSteam Thank you very much for replying to my comment. I have a new video out now. Hope you like and share.

[@atsfevan0242]

Tvrm sure has come a long way in 6 decades and will continue for many years to come

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

Bring back the PS4 whistles to TVRM. The southern rr PS4 whistles that is.

[@amyreynolds3619]

630 use to run in South Carolina during the 1970s.

[@sebastianfloyd372]

22:10 TVRM 610

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

0:51 i get nostalgic of tat whistle when TVRM had the triple header on 11-03-1991 w 4501, 611 and 1218. 610 (2-8-0 not the 2-10-4) pulled the downtown arrow. I remember Paul Brock was on that throttle past holtzclaw ave. I really hope there are more videos of that freight train with the enhanced C39-8’s and the exhibit car with 2 radio cars from old southern boxcars.

[@dd.greenefilms2598]

Excellent Video and the Steam Locomotives, I was there on the 17th on Sunday and I sure did enjoy myself, Great Camera work.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thank you!

[@dd.greenefilms2598]

@@SmokyMtnSteam your welcome

[@SteamZRailfan]

Awesome! Love all the different angles of the meet!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thanks!

[@jeremyasher297]

If you look closely in the thumbnail, you will see US army number 610.

[@Railfan_Reed]

Going there tomorrow!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Cool, have fun!

[@jordonfreeman166]

Hey look! There’s me at 18:57!

[@thecarolinianrailfan8339]

Nice!

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I was there that day. Sadly, all of my usable footage was lost when I transferred to a new phone.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

That’s a shame :(

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

If you didn't love steam engines as much as you do, what would you be doing?😂🙃

[@realethanangell]

610 looks like it’s in good condition

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

It's been under cover pretty much the entire time it's been mothballed, however it was pretty tired when it last ran and would need some work still.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@SmokyMtnSteam driving wheel tires, firebox crown sheet replacement, new tubes and flus and a new pilot truck frame. Hope I’m correct on this

[@Jay2chill]

@@SmokyMtnSteam didnt 610 last run like a decade ago

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

6:47 what will become of those tender cisterns??

[@SouthernRaiIs1186]

That was you down there below the bridge? I was up next to the tracks wearing a jean jacket.

[@Thomasboi01]

Is tennessee valley 610 going to be running trains soon? I saw her at 13:10 she looks like she's in great condition to pull trains again. What more work is there to do on her? Or is she really yet?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

610 has unfortunately not had any restoration work done and still requires a full 1472, I don't think she will be pulling trains any time in the near future.

[@billyrueckert5113]

Nice video!! I wonder if Allied Metals still receives cars from them.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thanks! As far as I know they do.

[@DerpyPossum]

listen to that echo at 3:22 :)

[@RailfanLoy]

What whistle is 4501 using

[@RailfanDude610]

It’s wearing a Princeton 3 chime.

[@RailfanLoy]

@@RailfanDude610 thanks and sorry for replying so long

[@RailfanDude610]

@@RailfanLoy It’s all good.

[@SolluxTheGamer]

Oh they repaint 5288?

[@williamfischer5336]

What's the blue and white TVA locomotive? Is that a FM Trainmaster?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Yes, and it's TVRM's newest addition

[@williamfischer5336]

@@SmokyMtnSteam Nice! I thought they were all scrapped.

[@zphotography7305]

Awesome! Also is that 630 old tender? 6:50

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Thanks! Yes 630 received a new tender during her restoration.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@SmokyMtnSteam didn’t i hear the cistern will be scrapped since its no longer useable

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

@@nicholasmedovich6729 well whoever told you was just making things up. It’s 2023 now, and that water cistern is still there.

[@Thatonerandomguy1331]

Any news on 610?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Sadly no, I believe they have put it on the backburner indefinitely