I suspect that if #630 is ready by late fall or at the latest by early winter, then some of the events listed on their Web site will use this loco and perhaps double head with #610. For local events see http://www.tvrail.com/pages/calendar/ .
As for any joint events or tours with the NS, it is still in the wind as far as I know. The first time I saw Southern #630, it was being moved to the TVRM's facilities on a flat car and was a pitiful excuse for a locomotive and looked like a bucket of rust. They brought it through my company's waste paper yards on a track that formed one leg of a wyh my paper mill was located. I'll never forget Mr. Souel riding heard on the switch engin crew to make sure it arrived okay. I also seem to recall Herman Lamb taking loads of photos along the way, much as he did when Southern 4501 moved in.
And speaking of 4501, I do hope that whatever NS has planned, they do not run it to death as they did in past years by running excursions all over the Eastern US. It did renew a great interest in the old locos and caused many locations to rebuild them instead of having them on static display. There is something magic about seeing, smelling and hearing a steam loco alive and running with a consist of varnish behind.
Joe
It has been on the TVRM's web page but was released to the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Sunday, Aug 15, 2005, pp C1-C2. Steam loco 630, a Consolidation, is in the back shop being restored to running condition for likely excursions by the end of 2010. Mike 4501, will next go to the shops for restoration for excursions in 2011 and then Consolidation 610 will be shoped for future excursion in 2012, thus giving us three outstanding steam locos to see first hand and possible models of real life prototypes.
This is all part of NS's "21st Century Steam" program to highlight milestones in rail history. Info from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and its Ex Director Tim Andrews.
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