On June 1st, 2024, I would make my long awaited return to my favorite Railroad Museum, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. In the fall of 2023 the famed Summerville Steam Special would return. This excursion, runs from Chattanooga Tennessee, to Summerville Georgia & return, usually led by Southern 4501. I was lucky in 2018, and was able to chase 3 of these excursions. 2 Solo with 4501, 1 Double header with 630 & 4501. These excursions took a few year Hiatus, starting 2020, and in 2023 they kicked off the Return with a doubleheader. While I could not make it last fall, I planned on returning this year. When the schedule was released, that June 1st would be a double header I decided to make my way back down. That day would be a hot muggy, overcast cloudy day. While there was supposed to be rain, we really lucked out. From Trackside, at various different places along the line, in Tenneessee & Georgia. From the Tunnel, various grades, and other locations on this fantastic southern line, Hope you all enjoy my coverage of the first Summerville Steam Special of 2024.
The Southern 630, is a 2-8-0 Consolidation Type Steam Locomotive built for the Southern Railway in 1904. It would work for the Railroad up until the 50s. It would then be sold to the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad until it was purchased back by the Southern Railway in 1967. The Southern 4501, is a 2-8-2 Mikado, built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1911, for the Southern Railway as well. It was retired in 1948, and sold to the K&T along with 630. When the K&T dieselized back in 1964, it was sold to Paul Merrimann. In 1966, it would operate for the Southern Steam Program until its disbanded in 1994. It would then continue to operate until 1998 when Flue Time Ran out. When I was a kid I remember seeing 4501 sitting in East Chattanooga in Green when I first went there. It would again be restored to operation in 2014, for the NS 21st Century Steam Program. 630 Would also operate for the Program until it was loaned to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. It would operate there until 1989. Norfolk Southern Officially donated the engine in 1999, and restoration would begin shortly after and it would return to service in 2011. It took would operate for 21st Century Steam. While the program ended, both engines now operate on the Missionary Ridge Local and Summerville Steam Special, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
‪@GTRailFanProductions‬ and myself traveled down to Chattanooga to chase this. We had ‪@LanesTrains‬ join us, and a huge thank you to him for making this weekend possible! We also ran into ‪@TheNoogaRailfan‬ ‪@choochoo742‬ ‪@TheBigBananaRailfan‬ ‪@railfanningwithtydan‬ ‪@CannRailfanProductions‬ ‪@SmokyMtnSteam‬ ‪@AidanDesaiRailProductions2003‬ and various others. It was a great time trackside!
With that, the rest of this summer at the moment is looking Quiet. I am hoping to Take a Strasburg Railroad Adventure at the end of July. Looking forward to chase the #2102 on the August Pittston Trips. Awaiting Schedules of #4014 and #1225 in the fall to figure it out. Hoping to Squeeze in #113 as well, and #1003 as well to. As always, if you liked the video, please give it a like and subscribe to my channel for more Steam Train Content. If you want to stay up to date with my adventures please, follow me on my socials!
Twitter: / action_set
Facebook: / chendersonrailproductions
Instagram: / chendersonrail