SOUTHERN RAILWAY NO. 4501 TO RETURN IN CLASSIC PASSENGER LIVERY FOR 2026

A Limited Celebratory Return for a Steam Icon

TVRM Announces Celebratory Paint Projects

At the Annual Banquet for the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance conference in Chattanooga, TN, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum announced that it’s iconic steam locomotive No. 4501 will return from her annual inspection wearing the classic Southern Railway passenger livery she entered into excursion service with in 1966—exactly 60 years ago.

“In a year when we’re celebrating our 65th anniversary and the locomotive’s 115th birthday, it feels only right for her to come back in Southern Railway passenger livery for a limited celebratory season,” said TVRM spokesperson Penelope Soule Gault.

For decades, 4501 proudly wore the passenger colors of the Southern Railway, carrying riders across the Southeast and even as far as Milwaukee and Chicago. This special paint project has been made possible by Scale Trains™ along with individual donors who have supported it so far— we invite others to join us in making this possible. Following this limited season, No. 4501 is planned to return to her black livery in 2027.

In addition, TVRM is launching a fundraising effort to build a dedicated finishing facility where restoration projects can be completed in a controlled environment. Planned as part of the Soule Shops complex in East Chattanooga, adjacent to the main shop, this new space will support the growing number of full paint restorations, such as Frisco 200, Southern Railway Dining Car 3158, Baggage Car 3850, and Central of Georgia Combine 390. The climate-controlled facility will help us increase the number of finishing projects we can tackle each year.

The project cost is estimated at $150,000. Contributions may be made at www.tvrail.com/paint-4501