THROWBACKTHURSDAY — 4501 RISES AGAIN, RAILFEST RUMBLES, AND STEAM RETURNS TO THE MAINLINE!
Big Wheels, Bigger Work
Fall 2013 marked a turning point at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Guests strolling through East Chattanooga may have seen sparks from the Soule Shops, but few realized they were witnessing the rebirth of Southern Railway 2-8-2 Mikado #4501.
By late August, crews had slid three massive driving wheel axles back beneath the locomotive’s frame. The queen of steam, dormant for years, finally began looking like herself again. Inside the boiler, over 220 tubes and 30 flues were carefully rolled and beaded. A rebuilt trailing truck with roller bearings and a fully upgraded smokebox signaled that 4501 was preparing for a new life of mainline power.
As TVRM President Tim Andrews put it:
“When 4501 rolls out of Soule Shops in 2014, TVRM will have quite a workhorse.”
Fun fact: During her original Southern Railway career, 4501 never had a feedwater heater. TVRM added one in 2013, extending her power and efficiency well into the 21st century — a perfect blend of preservation and innovation.
🎉 Railfest 2013
On September 7–8, Railfest filled TVRM’s Grand Junction campus with excitement. Families explored model railroad layouts, children raced handcars, and jazz bands kept the atmosphere lively.
The rides were the highlight:
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Guests boarded Southern FP7 #6133 and steam star 2-8-0 #630.
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Norfolk Southern’s Exhibit Car offered a traveling museum on wheels.
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GP40-2 #3052 brought diesel muscle.
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Four mainline excursions to Cleveland allowed #630 to stretch her legs, thrilling fans with the sound of steam at speed.
Railfest underscored a broader truth: railroading connects people across generations. It’s entertainment, education, and living heritage all at once.
🏁 Steam on the Mainline: 21st Century Steam Program
2013 was also the year steam thundered back across Norfolk Southern rails. The 21st Century Steam Program took TVRM locomotives far beyond Chattanooga, reaching Attalla, Bristol, and Grundy. Thousands experienced authentic railroading — not just as a display, but as a ride through America’s railroading heartland.
Southern #630 led many of these trips, but anticipation was building. Everyone knew 4501’s triumphant return was on the horizon.
FAQs
1. Why was 4501’s rebuild such a big deal?
4501 is TVRM’s signature locomotive — the first acquired by the museum in 1961 and the engine that launched the Southern Railway steam excursion program. Her 2013–14 rebuild meant that a locomotive retired decades earlier could once again pull mainline excursions, blending nostalgia with modern engineering.
2. What made Railfest special?
Railfest brought together steam, diesel, exhibits, and entertainment in one immersive weekend. For families, it was more than a train ride — it was a chance to connect with living history, music, and community fun.
🛤️ Preserving Yesterday, Powering Tomorrow
TVRM’s mission has always been about more than locomotives. As the museum itself says: “We’re preserving a past that slips further away every day.” In 2013, preservation turned into creation. Railfest and the 4501 rebuild didn’t just honor history — they wrote a new chapter in America’s railroading story.