After my Three day chase at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, I would trek west to Chattanooga on November 2nd, 2024. The second goal, of my Southern Vacation, was to chase the Second & last Summerville Steam Doubleheader Special of 2024. While Southern 630 had been out of service since June, It would be announced on Friday that it would be indeed operating that weekend. I was lucky to get to Chattanooga, before the Summerville Steam Special got back on the 2nd. I went straight for the Hill at East Chattanooga, and got 4501 during Sunset climbing up the hill. After the June Doubleheader, the Princeton 3 Chime was put back on 4501.
On November 3rd, I would chase the Summerville Steam Doubleheader, from Chattanooga Tennessee, to Summerville Georgia & Return. Southern 630 & 4501 would lead this excursion south. 630 was still wearing the Central of Georgia 6 Chime. This was the day after Daylight saving ended, so light would be fading after 5 PM, especially with an overcast day. Running late on both North & Southbound runs, it seemed like they were running faster trying to make up for lost time. I did not luck out Fall Colors wise this chase, as it had yet to be peak in some of these towns, while in others there was nice color. While the crowds were out, I lucked out in my chase by avoiding the Crowds and not going to some of the more popular areas. Wanting to redo some spots since 2018, as well as locations I had been planning to go to for years, I would say I successfully pulled it off. Going for spots in the Suburbs of Chattanooga, Tennessee through the Hills, Forests and towns of Georgia. For the last day of the Steam season for Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, both 630 & 4501 put on a phenomenal show. Grab some popcorn, and enjoy my Coverage Trackside of Southern 630 & 4501: Fall Summerville Steam Doubleheader Special (4K)
Time Stamps
Southern 4501 Climbs the hill at East Chattanooga 00:45
Summerville Steam Doubleheader Special 2:59
Now into the Christmas Season 56:15
During all 4 days of my Vacation down South, I would run into @stevensainerailfanproductions. A huge shout out goes to @LanesTrains who was working that day, but helped me out as well for chase ideas and for making this part of the Trip possible. Also a thank you goes out to @consolidationproductions for giving me some of these location ideas. I also ran into @TheNoogaRailfan @AidanDesaiRailProductions2003 @SmokyMtnSteam @DynamoProductions-trains & @SouthernKansasRailfan
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.
If you liked the video, please give it a like & Subscribe to my channel!
With that, my Fall Colors videos have now been uploaded! Hope you all enjoyed every single one of them. They have been some of my best work yet and I am really proud with how well they turned out! While we are 6 days away from Thanksgiving for my American Subscribers, this weekend if all goes well I will be heading back to the Midwest. To chase the Pere Marquette 1225 to celebrate 20 years of the Polar Express. If all goes well I am hoping to make one last trek back down South to see Southern 154 in December. If you want to stay up to date with my adventures, please follow my links below!
X: https://twitter.com/action_set Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHendersonRailProductions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chendersonrail/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UC6k3LZmYw7Hibpavu091lSw