This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museums' Southern Railway 630 steam locomotive as it heads to East Chattanooga, Tennessee on one of the many daily trains between East and West Chattanooga on April 27th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: Southern Railway 630 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia for the Southern Railway as a member of the Ks-1 class. It is currently owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it resides today for use on excursion trains. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1960 by Paul H. Merriman and Robert M. Soule, Jr., along with a group of local railway preservationists. They wanted to save steam locomotives and railway equipment for future historical display and use. Today, the museum offers various tourist excursions from stations in Chattanooga and Etowah, Tennessee. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #infraredtrainphotography #infraredphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #PassengerTrain #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum #TennesseeTrains #steamtrain #tvrm

Infrared photo is of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museums’ Southern Railway 630 steam locomotive

This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museums’ Southern Railway 630 steam locomotive as it heads to East Chattanooga, Tennessee on one of the many daily trains between East and West Chattanooga on April 27th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: Southern Railway 630 is a 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia for the Southern Railway as a member of the Ks-1 class. It is currently owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it resides today for use on excursion trains.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1960 by Paul H. Merriman and Robert M. Soule, Jr., along with a group of local railway preservationists. They wanted to save steam locomotives and railway equipment for future historical display and use. Today, the museum offers various tourist excursions from stations in Chattanooga and Etowah, Tennessee.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 400.

The Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine leads a passenger train over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge as it heads to Grand Junction at West Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 27th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. All of the vehicles in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines; Thomas's basis is the LB&SCR E2 class. Thomas first appeared in 1946 in the second book in the series, Thomas the Tank Engine, and was the focus of the four short stories contained within. In The Railway Series and early episodes of Thomas & Friends, Thomas's best friends are Percy and Toby, though he is also close friends with Edward. Later episodes of Thomas & Friends have Thomas in a trio with James and Percy, and Percy is known as his best friend. In 1979, British writer and producer Britt Allcroft came across the books, and arranged a deal to bring the stories to life as the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later simplified to Thomas & Friends). The programme became an award-winning hit around the world, with a vast range of spin-off commercial products. Thomas now travels the world to delight children of all ages! Tech Info: Nikon D800, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 100.

The Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine leads a passenger train over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge at Chattanooga, TN

The Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine leads a passenger train over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge as it heads to Grand Junction at West Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 27th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

All of the vehicles in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines; Thomas’s basis is the LB&SCR E2 class. Thomas first appeared in 1946 in the second book in the series, Thomas the Tank Engine, and was the focus of the four short stories contained within. In The Railway Series and early episodes of Thomas & Friends, Thomas’s best friends are Percy and Toby, though he is also close friends with Edward. Later episodes of Thomas & Friends have Thomas in a trio with James and Percy, and Percy is known as his best friend.

In 1979, British writer and producer Britt Allcroft came across the books, and arranged a deal to bring the stories to life as the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later simplified to Thomas & Friends). The programme became an award-winning hit around the world, with a vast range of spin-off commercial products.

Thomas now travels the world to delight children of all ages!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 100.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s steam locomotive Southern Railway 630 crosses over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge as it heads to Grand Junction at West Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 27th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: Southern Railway 630 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia for the Southern Railway as a member of the Ks-1 class. It is currently owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it resides today for use on excursion trains. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1960 by Paul H. Merriman and Robert M. Soule, Jr., along with a group of local railway preservationists. They wanted to save steam locomotives and railway equipment for future historical display and use. Today, the museum offers various tourist excursions from stations in Chattanooga and Etowah, Tennessee. Tech Info: Nikon D800, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 100.

Southern Railway 630 crosses over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge at East Chattanooga, Tennessee

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s steam locomotive Southern Railway 630 crosses over the Chickamauga Creek Bridge as it heads to Grand Junction at West Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 27th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: Southern Railway 630 is a 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia for the Southern Railway as a member of the Ks-1 class. It is currently owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it resides today for use on excursion trains.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded as a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1960 by Paul H. Merriman and Robert M. Soule, Jr., along with a group of local railway preservationists. They wanted to save steam locomotives and railway equipment for future historical display and use. Today, the museum offers various tourist excursions from stations in Chattanooga and Etowah, Tennessee.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 100.

TAG 80 on the Chickamauga Creek bridge Looking back to 2017 to pull an image for a customer, I realized that I hadn't ever processed this image from my trip to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Railfest in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was during their first night shoot and thanks to the lighting wizardry of Casey Thomason and Steve Barry we all had a outstanding night! September 9, 2017 - Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway engine #80 "The John A. Chambliss," sits on the Chickamauga Creek bridge with a passenger train, just east of the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum in Chattanooga, TN during the museums night photo shoot during their 2017 Railfest. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @36mm f/8, 20 seconds, ISO 800.

TAG 80 on the Chickamauga Creek bridge

Looking back to 2017 to pull an image for a customer, I realized that I hadn’t ever processed this image from my trip to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Railfest in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This was during their first night shoot and thanks to the lighting wizardry of Casey Thomason and Steve Barry we all had a outstanding night!

September 9, 2017 – Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway engine #80 “The John A. Chambliss,” sits on the Chickamauga Creek bridge with a passenger train, just east of the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum in Chattanooga, TN during the museums night photo shoot during their 2017 Railfest.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @36mm f/8, 20 seconds, ISO 800.

September 21, 2019 - The John A. Chambliss "TAG 80" (Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railroad) leads, with the Southern 4501 all dressed up as L&N 1593, as it passes the old Peerless Woolen Mills at Chattanooga, Tennessee as it heads north on the Chattanooga & Chickamauga Railroad during the 2019 L&N Convention.

The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80″…

September 21, 2019 – The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” (Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railroad) leads, with the Southern 4501 all dressed up as L&N 1593, as it passes the old Peerless Woolen Mills at Chattanooga, Tennessee as it heads north on the Chattanooga & Chickamauga Railroad during the 2019 L&N Convention.

September 21, 2019 - The John A. Chambliss "TAG 80" sits next to L&N 1593 (Southern 4501) during a photo charter to the depot in Chickamauga, Georgia. Southern 4501, was all dressed up as L&N 1593, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) at Chattanooga, TN.

John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” sits next to L&N 1593

September 21, 2019 – The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” sits next to L&N 1593 (Southern 4501) during a photo charter to the depot in Chickamauga, Georgia. Southern 4501, was all dressed up as L&N 1593, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) at Chattanooga, TN.

September 21, 2019 - The John A. Chambliss "TAG 80" sits next to L&N 1593 (Southern 4501) during a photo charter to the depot in Chickamauga, Georgia. Southern 4501, was all dressed up as L&N 1593, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) at Chattanooga, TN.

The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” sits next to L&N 1593…

September 21, 2019 – The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” sits next to L&N 1593 (Southern 4501) during a photo charter to the depot in Chickamauga, Georgia. Southern 4501, was all dressed up as L&N 1593, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) at Chattanooga, TN.

September 21, 2019 - The John A. Chambliss "TAG 80" passes through and industrial section of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as it returns from a photo charter run to Chickamauga, Georgian, with Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593 trailing, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). According to the TVRM Website it was built for the Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway in 1968, TAG 80 was the last and most powerful engine purchased by that railroad. The engine was named "The John A. Chambliss" in honor of the railroad's vice president, and dedicated on his 80th birthday. The 80 was later sold to the Southern Railway, and later became the property of Norfolk Southern, who sold it at auction to the Chambliss family in 2001, who then donated the locomotive to TVRM. The locomotive was restored mechanically, electrically and cosmetically between 2015 and 2016, returning to service in March 2017. It is a model GP38, developing 2,000 horsepower.

The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80″…

September 21, 2019 – The John A. Chambliss “TAG 80” passes through and industrial section of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as it returns from a photo charter run to Chickamauga, Georgian, with Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593 trailing, during the L&N Historical Society weekend at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

According to the TVRM Website it was built for the Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway in 1968, TAG 80 was the last and most powerful engine purchased by that railroad. The engine was named “The John A. Chambliss” in honor of the railroad’s vice president, and dedicated on his 80th birthday.

The 80 was later sold to the Southern Railway, and later became the property of Norfolk Southern, who sold it at auction to the Chambliss family in 2001, who then donated the locomotive to TVRM. The locomotive was restored mechanically, electrically and cosmetically between 2015 and 2016, returning to service in March 2017. It is a model GP38, developing 2,000 horsepower.

September 20, 2019 - Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, sits on the turntable at the shops in East Chattanooga, during the Annual L&N Convention night shoot, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593…

September 20, 2019 – Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, sits on the turntable at the shops in East Chattanooga, during the Annual L&N Convention night shoot, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

September 21, 2019 - The conductor stands ready to throw the switch after Southern Railway 630 departs from East Chattanooga, Tennessee on one of its several runs for the day. Southern 630 is a 2-8-0 Consolidation type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the Richmond Works of the American Locomotive Company for the Southern Railway as a member of the KS-1 Consolidation class. Today, it operates at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The conductor stands ready to throw the switch…

September 21, 2019 – The conductor stands ready to throw the switch after Southern Railway 630 departs from East Chattanooga, Tennessee on one of its several runs for the day. Southern 630 is a 2-8-0 Consolidation type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the Richmond Works of the American Locomotive Company for the Southern Railway as a member of the KS-1 Consolidation class. Today, it operates at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

September 21, 2019 - Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, heads into a curve at Chattanooga, Tennessee as it heads south to Chickamauga, GA, during the 2019 L&N Convention.

Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593…

September 21, 2019 – Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, heads into a curve at Chattanooga, Tennessee as it heads south to Chickamauga, GA, during the 2019 L&N Convention.

WEB-09.21.19 L&N 1593 from overpass, Chickamumga, GA

Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593…

September 21, 2019 – Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, approaches the Hwy 27 overpass on the Chattanooga & Chickamauga Railroad, as it heads south into Chickamauga, Georgia, during the 2019 L&N Convention, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

September 20, 2019 - Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, sits next to Southern 630, during the Annual L&N Convention night shoot, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593…

September 20, 2019 – Southern 4501, all dressed up as L&N 1593, as it sits next to Southern 630, for the Annual L&N Convention, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee during a night photo shoot.

Conductor on Passenger Train at Chattanooga, TN

September 9, 2017 – The conductor on one of the passenger train movements during Railfest 2017 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum keeps a watchful eye from the vestibule of one of the cars, as the train backs up.

Southern Steam Locomotive 630 in Missionary Ridge Tunnel, East Chattanooga, TN

September 9, 2017 – Southern Railway steam locomotive 630 enters the west end of Missionary Ridge Tunnel, with a loaded passenger train, during the 2017 Railfest at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, as it heads for the station at East Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Completed in 1858 the tunnel is the primary reason TVRM runs on the three-mile section of the former Southern Railway. As railroad equipment grew too large to pass through and the single-track tunnel became a traffic jam for an otherwise double-track railroad, Southern Railway abandoned the three mile portion of the line and built a new section around the end of Missionary Ridge, avoiding the tunnel altogether.

The museum restored rails through the tunnel in 1971 and continues to use the pre-Civil War Tunnel on a daily basis.

Southern Railway 630 heading for Chattanooga, TN

September 9, 2017 – Disrupting the quietness of the early morning with it’s huffing and puffing as Southern Railways steam locomotive 630 pulls through a tunnel of trees with a loaded passenger train heading west, on a return trip to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at Chattanooga, TN during 2017 Railfest.630 heading for Chattanooga, TN

TVRM Railfest-Southern 630 & 4501 EB at Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, TN

September 9, 2017 – POWER! There’s nothing like a living, breathing, moving steam locomotive and when you put two together it’s amazing sight to see and witness! Here we have Southern steam locomotives 630 and 4501 after exiting Missionary Ridge Tunnel on their way back to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum shops, at East Chattanooga, TN, after a full day of passenger runs during the museum’s recent 2017 Railfest.

Southern steam locomotive 4501 rounds a curve…

September 9, 2017 – Southern steam locomotive 4501 rounds a curve, with it’s passenger train, as it heads west to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, TN, from their East Chattanooga Shops, during 2017 Railfest. #jimstrainphotos