Скачать или смотреть Southern 630: 'til We Meet Again

On the first weekend of November 2025, Southern Railway 630 made its final runs at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum before being taken out of service for the FRA mandated 15 year / 1,472 day inspection. Its hard to believe its already been 15 years since the engine was returned to service in the spring of 2011. I made a lot of great memories riding and chasing 630 since then, both at TVRM and out on the Norfolk Southern mainline during the incredible but short-lived 21st Century Steam program. With time running out, I headed down to Chattanooga to see 630 running the familiar schedule of the Missionary Ridge Local one last time, and I made sure to get in one last cab ride as well. 630's final run came the next day in the form of a 100-mile round trip doubleheader with 4501 to Summerville, Georgia through the changing leaves. It was a bittersweet day to be sure as the 122-year-old locomotive put on a grand show for the crowd of railfans following the train across Northwest Georgia, pushing on undaunted by periodic rain showers, and culminating in a thunderous, triumphant final assault on the East Chattanooga hill that will be long remembered by those of us lucky enough to witness it.

Thank You to everyone at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum who worked so hard from 2001 to 2011 to bring 630 back to life and keep it running for as all to enjoy in the 15 years since.