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Thanks for posting Elephant! I was a big time train buff when younger - travelling the world to see and photograph the last steam locomotives in action in Germany, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, India, Pakistan and China.

When steam finally finished in regular service my interest waned and tubas and music took over as my main leisure interest, but I still take an interest in trains when the situation arises.

Be sure to go to SERTEC and go to Tenn Valley rlwy museum------ride train and see several steam rebuilds going on. ---------Have been train nut all my life-------------went to Alaska last May and rode every mile of railroad in Alaska. Another must is Cass Senic railway in West Va with 13% grades, switchbacks, and several geared Shay logging locomotives. I stumble over as many locomotive whistles and bells in my house as I do Tubas-------------------wife loves it.

Another good train place-------------If you ever go to Fla on 95, stop by the train watching observation platform they have in Folkston, Ga(with Train radio) . 60 to 80 CSX trains pass there daily on the fly. Great place to record or take pictures. Enjoy Colorado---------------hope I can get there some day.

Have a little token of BNSF from Northern Pacific steam loco---------------Headlight from steam locomotive 2455( Bigger than my Conn 25j)( bought it in 1967 for 50 bucks and restored it)------------Wrote BNSF for specs of the loco and they sent me copy of purchase order, diagrams of construction,etc------------Loco cost was 24000 in 1906-------------Price of a top of line Tuba. Loco was used in Minn. area; a railfan sent me picture of it---------2-6-2 wheel arangement. Did you ever get to take any Cab rides or good train rides curtecy of your Dad? As you may know NS is going to start up a new Steam excursion program and Tenn Valley Museum is being contracted to maintain their Locos. Go on line(google) to NS Steam progam for details. Being one half mile from right of way ,hope you have a railroad radio receiver to listen to chatter------------I sure would.

Went to Alaska last summer and rode every mile of rail in the state. About 600 miles. Both white Pass and Yukon and Alaska railroad plan to extend their milage in next few years.

schlepporello wrote:I've never been behind a Shay yet. Gonna have to make a trip to central Colorado some time so I can.

If any of you would like to ride the Silverton narrow guage , I'll set ya up with a place to stay and all-- No problem-- It's FANTASTIC
Just drop me a line--

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango_an ... e_Railroad" target="_blank

Train trivia------------------Was reading the L&N's maintenance of way rule book today written in 1920. Quote--------------"Do not thaw out sticks of frozen dynamite over an open flame."

Southern rlwy 2-8-0 steam engine( # 630) just came out of shop(overhauled) in Chat, Tenn. and was the superstar at the Volkswagon factory opening at Chatanooga. Engine will be used in near future in the revived NS rlwy steam excursion program. (will be MU'd to diesel unit to pull more cars.)

bloke wrote:I didn't click on the video, Wade, but SD-40-2's are big 6-axle loco's. They use them for "pusher" engines to get trains up the Cumberland Mountain (and through the tunnel) over at Cowan, TN (very near Sewanee).

I believe the LONGEST loco's ever built were DD-40's.

DDA40X------------produced by EMD and called the " Centenial" model. They were built in 1969 and produced 6900 horsepower. Was called centenial model because 1969 was 100th anniversary of the completion of the 1st transcontinental rail line. One unit is preserved in running condition by UP and appears occasionally in excursion service. Several were built and used but were determined to be impractical. It was 1st introduction of EMD's 645 engine. Those "Nathan" 5 bell chime horns would make good candidates to be cut down to CC.

Bloke, Southern had concrete reasons to be considered Confederish. (1) Samual Spencer, Southern's 1st Pres married Conf Gen Benning's(Ft Benning) daughter. Post commanders quarters is Gen Bennings plantation house. (2) Southern Pres Fairfax Harrison's father was Pres Jefferson Davis' personal sec.(3) The original Southern railway trackage from Richmond to Danville was used as Pres Davis escape route(didn't actually become Southern until 1896). NS and Many other railways still use the famed Nathan 5 bell chime horns.

Have any of you been to the big train artifacts exhibit and sale at Gaithersberg ,Md each fall? Went there two years ago---------------bought pigtail for lomotive bell that was missing one and bought tall pre1910 ACL lantern.

tuben wrote:

lowpitchmoravian wrote:Southern rlwy 2-8-0 steam engine( # 630) just came out of shop(overhauled) in Chat, Tenn. and was the superstar at the Volkswagon factory opening at Chatanooga. Engine will be used in near future in the revived NS rlwy steam excursion program. (will be MU'd to diesel unit to pull more cars.)

Say again?!?

Tuben,Google" New norfolk southern steam excursion program" and it will give some detail. I got most of above info from there and from Norfolk Southern magazine. Yes, there will be new program starting this fall. Unlikely they will get big engines( 611 and 1218) out due to excessive costs(per ns magazine. TVRM in Chat has contract to maintain engines. They are now starting to overhaul 4501 to be used in excursion program. Was by there during SERTEC and things are busy. The new CEO of NS is interested in showing off Southern steam to public as Robert Claytor was 30 years ago. Yes, the little 2-8-0's and 2-8-2's will be MU'd with diesel unit to be able to pull more cars according to what I've read. Does any TN'er have any more info????

Update------------Alco PA owned by Smithsonian has been given to museum in Texas to be restored to original Santa Fe livery.

Update--------NS new excursion program-------------------NS is presently refurbishing 6 ex-C&O metro cars for the new steam excursion program.One complete,5 to go.

Schleppy------------there's an excellent "Virginian" railway museum in old railway station in Princeton, W. Va----------------went through it last wk--------------right on old Virginian right of way.