Southern 4501 like you have never seen her before

[E.M. Bell]

While preparing for the night photo session at TVRM Labor Day weekend, we had a chance to take a look at the work being done on the Southern 4501. The scope of this restoration is is simply overwhelming, and it was a real treat to see parts of a locomotive that few in this day and age have ever seen.

The major part of the work (for now) is on the 4501's boiler. The shop forces at TVRM have removed the entire backhead, firebox, and rear tube sheet. All of these will replaced with new steel, which should last for many many more years. While not uncommon for a tube sheet or firebox to be renewed, I don't recall (at-least in recent times) anyone replacing an entire backhead. Its much more common to patch the sheets in smaller portions or pad weld to build up thickness where needed.

While they have given no firm (or even estimated) time for project completion, I am sure she will be a like a new locomotive when she rolls out of the shop again. There are very few places left today that have the machinery and the skills to do something like this, and they will have something to be proud of when the "01" is boiling water again.

Check the link for a few large shots of the work, and a view of the 4501 like you have never seen before!

http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/4501shop

[amzopff]

While I am sure there is a huge $$$ burden associated with a rebuild like this, it does give one hope that the 1218 and perhaps even KRM's 2716 (crown sheet) might one day see a rebuild.  One can only hope!

It will be good to see the O1 back in service once again.

[Full Service]

When the NS CEO spoke to the assembled masses at the TVRM thing, he made it rather clear that unless a group has the shop facility and staff to rebuild a locomotive, they would not be considered for operation.  NS is going into the business of running a few steam trips, not rebuilding locomotives. 

Given the current owners of the 611, 1218, and even the 2716 do not have either of those, I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. I would say it will be a TVRM show, as they have what it takes to get it done, and a good repor with NS

[csx6900]

When the NS CEO spoke to the assembled masses at the TVRM thing, he made it rather clear that unless a group has the shop facility and staff to rebuild a locomotive, they would not be considered for operation.  NS is going into the business of running a few steam trips, not rebuilding locomotives.

Not to take this thing too far off topic, but what did Wick basically say at that dinner?  I wasn't in attendance, but I would like to know what he had to say.

-Thanks in advance,
Evan

[Full Service]

I wasn't there myself, so I cant answer what all was said, but it seems the most important (for those still crying about 611) is what I posted above.

NS just released a little media snippet about the program as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDA18s4IqXU