Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Founders Day 9-9-2023

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Founders Day 9-9-2023.
It's September 9, 2023, and we're back in Southeast Tennessee for another visit to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Every September since 2011, TVRM hosts an event that gives TVRM's steam locomotives extra time to shine. The Founders Day event highlighted TVRM's two operational steam locomotives: Southern Railway #630 (which had only been operating for less than a month after a 1 1/2-year repair) and #4501. Running both locomotives on two different trains, passing on the wye at Grand Junction station. Also featuring for the railroad's Evening Ridge Runner train the first doubleheader of the two steamers since 2019. At night, the two locomotives and their ALCO diesel: US Army #8669 (which they temporarily renumbered to #8014) got together at the East Chattanooga depot for a night photo session. Long story short, it was an event to remember for the TVRM.
In addition to everything that was happening, TVRM decided to go above and beyond by touching up steam locomotive #630. TVRM decided to give 630 a throwback paint scheme to the way she looked back in 1978-1984. The biggest thing they changed was the whitewall trim on the wheels which (in my opinion) look really good on 630. The only minor thing they were missing was the red on the number plate. However, to me, that is unimportant and TVRM did a fantastic job switching up the look of 630.
*While 630 was dressed up, their former primary steam locomotive: ex. USATC #610 was also dressed up. TVRM put temporary USATC decals on the cab and tender, how much the locomotive cost, and the original class light mount on the front of the smokebox.
*We also had time to see the Missionary Ridge Local on the next day to get some of the last shots I need of 630.
Enjoy a pure celebration of the past with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Founders Day event!

[@BenBensonStudios]

Awesome video, Steven. Wish I could've been there.

[@christianromo8444]

Amazing Video!

[@greatsmokymtnsrailfan]

Awesome video!

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Great video! Looks like it was a fun event all around.

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

Thanks. It certainly was. Surprised you weren’t there lol.

[@RAILTravelers]

Beautiful

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I was there. I was on the 5:00 pm doubleheader in car 1486. I got nearly two hours worth of footage.

[@hannahllewellyn163]

I haven't heard whistle or bell comeing thow chickamauga area near rockspring area

[@dd.greenefilms2598]

Great video and thanks for sharing this with the audience,This is a great Museum especially with the Southern Steam Engines #4501 and #630,I was there yesterday and I had a great time with the trin ride with #630,4501 wasn't running yesterday but I got to see 630 a real Steam Engine, Thanks again again.

[@OldIronVideo]

10:01 don't let Rodney see this!

[@CommanderCalico]

Notice their whistles are different, but they're pretty cool none the less.

[@rhettrobinson1361]

I was there!

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

Yep. I remember you

[@rhettrobinson1361]

@@stevensainerailfanproductions Were you the one talking to me in front of 4501 with the TV people?

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Donald and Douglas.

[@alexfarrell5533]

I love 630s wheels! But why did they change 4501s whistle?

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Some shop employee dropped the Princeton whistle and broke it. They’re trying to fix it. For now, they are using a Virginia and Southwestern 3 chime, which is a one-for-one copy of the Ps-4 whistle, albeit without the poppet valve lever on top. It’s been retuned to the point where it sounds more like the whistle off of a Ts-1 mountain.

[@Richmondvirgnaadventerscrew]

They said they are going to restore 722 did you hear

[@dainallison4275]

Dang that whistle on the 630 is awesome! Is that a NYC 6 chime?

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

That is a replica Nathan 6 chime.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@stevensainerailfanproductionsCofG whistle I think

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

@@nicholasmedovich6729 not quite. It’s a replica Nathan. Although the bowl is from the CofG