About this event
A railroad photography charter with Kentucky & Tennessee Railway #12 (Southern #4501) at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 9, 2024. Join us on a journey back in time as we showcase what the 4501 would've looked like had she wore her K&T colors in excursion service. Featuring a recreated passenger train, multiple photo run-bys, antique props, and time period actors.
In honor of the Southern Railway's 130th anniversary, and the 60th anniversary of when 4501 was retired from the K&T, you will have the opportunity to see the locomotive in action with her K&T #12 appearance. 4501 was built in 1911 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as the first MS-1 class 2-8-2 Mikado for the Southern Railway for freight service. She ran on the Southern until she was purchased by the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway for use on coal trains in 1948. She was then renumbered and relettered as Kentucky & Tennessee Railway #12. She would operate there for the next 16 years. After realizing that steam was on it's way out and diesel was starting to take over, railfans Paul Merriman, Bob Soule Jr. and others formed the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. In 1964, after hearing about the retirement of steam on the K&T, Paul Merriman stepped in and purchased the #12 for $5000. After the puchase, she was renumbered and reletterd back to Southern 4501 and made the trip from Stearns Kentucky to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The locomotive would keep this identity throughout her entire excursion career. She was restored in 1967 to the typical USRA appearance similar to some of her sisters. The locomotive would recieve many modifications over the years such as: a larger tender for increased range, a feedwater heater, a stoker, etc. But, what if TVRM had chosen differently? What if Paul Merriman's time and personal connection to the locomotive on the K&T inspired him to keep the locomotive in K&T colors? The locomotive would have recieved the modifications such as: the larger tender, feedwater heater, stoker, bell mounted to the boiler instead of the shelf, and the fixed handrails. However, she would have kept some notable features from the K&T such as the triangle number plate, the removed headlight visor, the dark smokebox, the toolbox on the pilot, and the doghouse. The spark arrestor would have been removed to access the Whiteside (Missionary Ridge) Tunnel and to access other tight areas the locomotive would have had to fit through. By attending this photo charter, you can witness this fantasy come to life!
The charter will be an all-day charter from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (time may vary depending on circumstances). We will start at the East Chattanooga depot and work our way east to Grand Junction. Half-way through, we will head back to East Chattanooga for lunch (lunch is included in the ticket price). After lunch, we will head back to Grand Junction and work our way west to East Chattanooga. There will be plenty of stops along the route to film and photograph the train with photo run-bys and some still photo sessions. There will be at least two run-bys at each location.
FAQ:
Can I purchase multiple tickets?
Absolutely. However, each ticket must be sold separately for individual identification.
How old do I have to be to attend?
Anyone over the age of 13. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. (Each passenger must have a ticket.)
Is the charter ADA accessible?
No. You must be able to walk up and down stairs frequently and on uneven terrain.
Will the charter happen if it rains?
The charter will happen rain or shine (prepare for all types of weather).
Is my ticket refundable?
All tickets are non-refundable except in the event the charter is canceled. The go/no-go date is September 5, 2024. If the charter is a no-go, we will refund at that time.
If you have any further questions, email ssaine08@gmail.com and we will get back to you.
*Participants may be required by the host railroad and Steven Saine Railfan Productions to sign a liabilty waiver.
*This event is not recomended for children due to the duration and limited restroom availability.
*No alcoholic beverages are allowed. There will likely be minors at this event.
*No weapons or firearms allowed on TVRM property. See T.C.A. Section 39-17-1359.
*Steven Saine Railfan Productions and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum are not responsible for any lost or stolen items, injuries, sickness or damages to personal equipment and loss of personal travel expenses. We are not responsible for bad weather, delays, cancelations, or equipment substitutions.
