Re: NG vs SG Tourist Observation

michael Wrote:
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> Recently got back from a road trip from Tulsa to
> the Tennessee Valley Railroad, Blueridge Mountain
> Railroad, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. I
> really loved the TVR and the doubleheader that
> pulled the train, but I missed the narrow gauge.
> On the TVRM and the GSM if a steam locomotive goes
> down, there's a diesel to replace it, on the
> C&TSRR it has to be another steam locomotive
> because the diesels can only get a couple of cars
> up the hill. There's something about that magic of
> knowing that the steam engines aren't the show
> ponies, but the backbone of the railroad.

Just a few comments. I have done the TVRM trip to Summerville and we did a video on the line with 4501.
Later did a Doubleheader video with 2 excursions plus 2 days of a charter freight doubleheader also. What I like about TVRM is there is a long history there. 4501 was purchased in the mid-60's by Paul Merriman, who later started the Tennessee Valley RR Museum. In 1966 it was leased to the Southern and painted Green and gold to resemble the 4-6-2's (Class PS-4) on the Southern.
Later Southern bought 630 and 722 which were originally Southern engines, and used them. Both were on a short line in NC. So all these engines saw a lot of service in excursions all over the Southern Rwy. So when they restored 630, and later 4501 they both ran on the newly resurrected NS Steam program, and ran for a handful of years on the NS mainlines. Thats pretty much over, but with TVRM having the use of the line to Summerville there is still a semblance of mainline running, albeit at a slower speed. A 50 mile line is a big deal in todays steam excursion business, especially for SG.

Am glad you got to experience TVRM and the long trip to Summerville. You mentioned diesels to replace the steam. That is true, but most of the trips to Summerville are simply one engine. 4501 is schedule for most trips, but when it is down for things like a boiler wash or something else, 630 usually steps in to do the honors. 630 normally pulls the Local on the TVRM property, but when the steamers are not available, diesels pull the short trains. Its pretty neat also to see two Southern engines in their correct livery in freight engine black also.

Cheers,
Greg Scholl
PS. Here is a link to our web site where you can look at some of those previews of the TVRM action and other things. Sorry no NG this year.
[www.gregschollvideo.com]

>
> That's not to say that the doubleheader on the TVR
> and the yard interactions weren't fun and
> exciting. I love steam, anyday and anywhere!
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