Unfortunately I have another commitment, or I'd be riding the rails next weekend on this excursion . This is the first NS 21st Century Steam Program that is operating out on the mainline - between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Well done NS.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Considering that we are addressing a road whose predecessors operated the likes of 611, 1406, 759, and 4359, too bad that all that is left roadworthy is this comparative teakettle that likely will just be "lip-synching" on the lead while something else like a trailing ES-44 does the work.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Interesting.
The scope of the 21st Century Steam program is much smaller than the 'other' NS steam excursion program... for now just the 630 and a half dozen coaches trundling about to entertain VIP's and clients of the railroad...... in this case they are offering tickets for the public to ride along on the ferry trip home to Chattanooga from an event in Knoxville.
Kudos for doing this to NS.
Hopefully there will be more ferry trips next year and hopefully the 4501 will get to join in the fun as well. I would pay handsomely for the opportunity to ride behind the 4501 down the French Broad River from Knoxville to Asheville.
To quote one of my railfan mentors, a true historian of Southern Railway steam, while growing up - "Always linger when you can. Seeing a Southern Railway locomotive in steam on the mainline is like visiting an elderly parent. Every visit might turn out to be the last."