Steam & Excursion > What is status of Southern 4501?

This historic 2-8-2's 100th birthday will be this October. TVRM is reportedly working on her, however there is NO current information posted anywhere on the status of her restoration, including TVRM's website. Will the restoration be complete, or almost complete, by October? Or will TVRM just do a cosmetic restoration and park her outside the shop for her 100th birthday celebration?

What date has been set for 100th birthday celebration? This information has also NOT been posted. October isn't that far off, and with dozens of RR-related festivals, excursions, etc. scheduled already for October plans need to be made soon.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Seaboard

Paint her black please.

Not a lot more info, but 4501's Facebook page (run by TVRM) has an update from June 28th:

"Southern 4501
Work continues on 4501, staybolts are being removed."

http://www.facebook.com/southern4501

Keystone1 Wrote:
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> Paint her black please.

I'd be perfectly ok with a new coat of Crescent Green... ;)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/11 12:20 by MH2198.

Here we go again! LOL. An extra benefit of green is that it lets us argue about the color of the cab roof and whether Messrs. Claytor, Purdie, Merriman, Bistline, etc. were in error to paint it red.

Mr. Merriman couldn't have been in error if he had painted it with polka dots - it was his locomotive. Niether Mr. Bistline nor Mr. Purdie could have been wrong because they were railroad employees in charge of things and had the authority to do whatever they wanted. They could have painted tiger stripes. If they had, it would have been authentic.

It's like saying it was wrong to install push button cigarette lighters in the cab because they weren't there before she went to the K&T. By golly, Southern Railway determined that push button cigarette lighters were necessary and installed them. You can't get any more authentic than that.

The joy of seeing this beautiful engine under steam meant a lot more to me than the paint color ever would!

wasn't 4501 among the engines expected to participate in the 2011-2012 Norfolk Southern steam program?

Come on Adam, you obviously know what I mean but since you wish to parse the exact wording let me restate: In error in recreating the SR passenger engines they worked on, rode behind, or grew up with. Did they all mis-remember? Did someone just decide what these engines need to make them really special is red on the roof?

Aw, I know what you mean. I still think the cigarette lighters were really cool although I'm guessing they will not be reinstalled.

I'm sure everyone at Soule Shop is too busy to give a daily update. When there is significant information to report and the time is right, I'm sure Steve or Tim will put out the straight skinney.

I think they should leave it in NS gray primer for a year.

seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
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> This historic 2-8-2's 100th birthday will be this October.


No. 4501's construction date is May 1911. An October "birthday" (machines have birthdays now? My, how the world changes!) would be a bit tardy.

Only machines with souls have birthdays (like steam locomotives, etc.)!

johnacraft Wrote:
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> seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This historic 2-8-2's 100th birthday will be
> this October.
>
>
> No. 4501's construction date is May 1911. An
> October "birthday" (machines have birthdays now?
> My, how the world changes!) would be a bit tardy.

Sure, they could make it authentic for, say, 1970. There are people alive today who remember 1970...

Here is a photo taken last month at the TVRM shop showing 4501 under active restoration.

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scottp Wrote:
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> Sure, they could make it authentic for, say, 1970.
> There are people alive today who remember 1970...


Ya but then everyone would have to wear those funky polyester slacks and grow side burns.

John, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are wrong. Construction #37085 October 1911. Perhaps you are recalling that 611 is a May 1950 child of Roanoke Shops. I suppose that she could have been ordered in May, but her plate very clearly states October. I realize the builder's plates are replicas, but Mr. Soule would not have allowed such an egregious error to perpetuate itself.

Mike
Green, Gold, & Immortal, Georgia

johnacraft Wrote:
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> seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This historic 2-8-2's 100th birthday will be
> this October.
>
>
> No. 4501's construction date is May 1911. An
> October "birthday" (machines have birthdays now?
> My, how the world changes!) would be a bit tardy.

October is what DPM has in the 4501 book.

She cost $23,182 in 1911. That's about $534,770 in 2011 money.

She was sold to the K&T for $8,225 in 1945. (Also October, by the way.) That's about $75,210 in 2011.

Paul M. bought her in 1964 for $5,000. About $35,740 in today's money.

newriver400 Wrote:
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> John, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you
> are wrong.

filmteknik Wrote:
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> October is what DPM has in the 4501 book.


So I see.

Somebody slide that plate of crow my way, and remind me not to rely on my memory ;)

Is there even a remote chance that she will be operable before her centennial year is out?