So, today was a good day (Long and no Cliff's)

[Loco Vette]

Way back in 1890, the American Locomotive Works built a steam powered switcher locomotive, of the type 2-8-0. It was eventually designated the Southern #154, and it spent most of its active life switching freight for other trains, never doing anything otherwise remarkable. She dreamed for something better, hoping to one day be allowed into passenger service.

Alas, that day never came. Despite devoted service, she was never allowed to pull people. In fact, she was the last steam locomotive in Southern service, retired in 1955. She was given to the City of Knoxville and placed in Chilhowee Park, where she sat.

Enter the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, TN. A group of people wanted to restore #154 and put her in shuttle service for the World's Fair (including my father) and it got to the point that a contest was held to create the poster for the shuttle system, and the winner is the one below:



Alas, time did not allow for the restoration, and 154 continued to sit. Finally, in 2008, she was sold to Gulf & Ohio Railways and restored, and returned to service in a passenger capacity in 2010. Close enough, but she still dreamt of the Tennesee River pull.

But it looked like she could never pull a train over the Tennessee River due to new rules about steam equipment on main lines. Once more, disappointment would rule the day.

Until this morning.



Even longer story, but 154 finally pulled her passenger train over the Tennessee River, 121 years after she was built. I apologize for the cell phone pic, better ones to follow from the professional.

And then I got to go to a football game with a really cool girl :-)

[Millenium Vette]

Great story and a great day, thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to more pictures!

[kylebuck]

cool pics...now pic of cool girl

[Woody]

That very cool Val. Congrats !!

[VatorMan]

You add that last bit and no pic of girl ? BAN.




Cool starry bra.

[Datawiz]

[Stangkiller]

Very cool Doc!

[Loco Vette]

Originally Posted by joebuck

cool pics...now pic of cool girl

Originally Posted by VatorMan

You add that last bit and no pic of girl ? BAN.

Cool starry bra.

[VatorMan]

her-not you.

[vetteman9368]

awesome story Val, now I want to hear the story about the girl

[CBonsall]

whats the rule about steam engine not allowed on new tracks? i`m not into trains but havent heard that rule before.

[mrvette]

Yer OVERCHICKED......

and it's a cute story the way you composed it, worthy of OD.....

and I wonder how they got around the EPA on that stuff, you know the best loco type ever built was retired by the EPA, and no it was not a steam engine.....

[nhlgopens]

Awesome. I love the old steam trains.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Neat story, and a cute chick to boot! Win! Looking forward to more shots.....of BOTH!

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by Loco Vette

[IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc125/LocoVette/1113111113.jpg[/ IMG]

[IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc125/LocoVette/1113111339.jpg[/ IMG]

I forsee far less crazy...I approve!

[Millenium Vette]

Originally Posted by Loco Vette

Sharp looking gal there Val. It's just too bad you had to fly coach and get the cheap seats at the game.

[Loco Vette]

Originally Posted by Millenium Vette

Sharp looking gal there Val. It's just too bad you had to fly coach and get the cheap seats at the game.

I does the best I can with what I have to work with

[jaxgator]

Very Waiting for additional pix.

Good looking daughter you've got there.

[Rob]

So is that engine being used full time again?

[cmb396]

very cool Val!!