The 21st Century Steam program of Norfolk Southern and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will operate a one-way trip from Knoxville to Chattanooga, with return by charter bus, on Monday, Nov. 14.
The train will be pulled by former-Southern Railway steam locomotive 630, which is a Consolidation-type locomotive built in 1904 at the Richmond, Va., works of American Locomotive Company. Number 630 pulled freight trains during the first half of the last century, and in modern times has traveled extensively in excursion service throughout the Southeast. Small of size but big in character, this locomotive recently underwent an extensive 10-year rehabilitation at TVRM's Soule Shops complex in Chattanooga.
Ticket information and other details for the Nov. 14 excursion train are available through TVRM's website at www.tvrail.com or by calling 894-8028. The train will depart 9:30 a.m. from the historic former-Southern Railway passenger station at West Depot Avenue and Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.
Ticket cost is $65, which includes the train ride, bus return to Knoxville, and a box lunch. More information about the 21st Century Steam program is available at www.21stcenturysteam.com.