Steam on the Knoxville Riverfront.

[E.M. Bell]

A few days ago, I shared a few images on the former Southern 1002 hard at work on the KXHR (Three Rivers Rambler) in Knoxville. While I did spend some time concentrating on the diesel, we also had the former Washington and Lincolton RR #203 to "work in" to the schedule.  

The 203 has had several owners in her lifetime, starting out on the W&L, then the Rockton and Rion in the Carolinas,  tourist service in Mississippi, and finally on the Gulf and Ohio in Knoxville. The G&O purchased the engine and had her shipped via flatcar to Versailles KY (on the LXOH) During the time she was with us in KY, we started restoration on her, working as time allowed, before she was loaded up again and shipped to the Knoxville. Once in Knoxville her restoration was finished, and she entered service on the KXHR's "Three Rivers Rambler" tourist service on the former Southern "RFE" line.  

While I had a hand in the start of the  initial restoration, I had never had the chance to see her under steam until last weekend. At the invitation of  G&O steam crew member Chris Starnes, we spent the day in Knoxville enjoying a wonderful time shooting and riding the Rambler. The engine is maintained in great condition, and it was a joy to get to see her run. The crew down there is a very professional and safe bunch of folks, and all you saw was passengers smiling and enjoying the trips..

The KXHR also recently finished the restoration of former Southern RR 154, which had languished in a Knoxville park for decades before being moved to KLW and rebuilt. They are still fighting a few nagging issues with the 154, but I am sure she will be back in service soon. If you have the time, I would highly recommend a stop in Knoxville to check out the operation. Its a hard line to shoot, but well worth the time.

I have just added 34 new images of the 203 in Knoxville. Feel free to check them out at this link  
http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/wl203

Its early in the morning as the KXHR crew move the 203 out of the Riverside engine shed, headed for the mainline for the first trip of the day  



The CTC #4 can be seen sitting in front of the 203, in this view from the engineers seat.



The first trip of the day crosses the Holston River bridge at Marbledale TN .



Myself and Mr. Starnes on the 203 at the Riverfront station in downtown Knoxville