Southern Sisters To Summerville: 630 and 4501 Return To Georgia

It’s a very rare thing in this world to find two operational steam locomotives in the same place. It’s even rarer to find both of them operating at the same time, especially together. So when the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum announced the return of their “Summerville Steam Speicials”, that was all myself, ​⁠​⁠‪@Djcman331‬, ​⁠​⁠‪@BalticFilms144‬, and Aaron needed to pack the essentials, pile ourselves in a RAV4, and make the eleven and a half hour haul to Chattanooga overnight, with barely two weeks advance notice. For the first time since 2019, the North Georgia Hills rang with the sound of Southern Steam, and it was not a disappointment. The "Dynamic Duo" put on a show reminiscent of their days in the Southern Steam Program, and 630 even dressed up for the occasion, wearing her white wall wheels and red cab roof as a nod to those times, spiffy for a 119 Year Old Alco! Of course, 4501 wasn't about to be outdone, the 112 Year Veteran of Baldwin sporting a deep three chime of VS&W origin in place of her world-famous Southern Freight three chime. Whatever voice she had, it was simply an honor to see the "Excursion Queen" in action, something no one thought possible when she was retired for the second time in 1998. From Missionary Ridge to Rock Spring, Chickamauga to Lafayette, Trion, Rossville, and every middle-of-nowhere town in between, it's all here. Even Mother Nature couldn't dampen our spirits, lingering over our heads as 630 and 4501 spun on the turntable at Summerville, and finally letting loose her worst right as 4501 rolled off. A huge thank you to all the local railfans and folks we had the pleasure of meeting. To say we dropped a few jaws when we told them where we were from and what we'd done to get there is a vast understatement. Apparently we've developed a reputation as "The Four Wisconsinites"? Whatever mark we've left, Dixie, you better watch out! The Yankees are by no means done with you yet! Thank You Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and your volunteers for such great work and a stellar job bringing these two “Southern Sisters” back to life for all to enjoy! Enjoy Everybody! There is plenty more to come!