When My son and I heard that Southern 630 was coming to Atlanta, we sought to follow her and chase her and take pictures of her. We knew that she would have to come through Dalton Georgia, so we picked a spot just north of the old depot and restaurant at the split. It would be a first time to see a active steam engine in Georgia, especially in our life time.
And there she came, the experience did not let us down, at all !! We both had smiles on our faces as we realize the history and what a special moment of the day. A high railer (NS service truck on the track, even knew and spoke us about 630 coming down the line. At that particular time on her journey, she was running an hour behind. But we did get to see her. An active steam train in Georgia in our lifetime, what a trill it was to us. Then, on to Rome Georgia.
She stopped at the NS yard in Rome, Ga. to take on some water and maintenance. We were racing to see where would be our next stop. As I drove down the road, perhaps it was Highway 53, I happened to see a little sign pointing to the NS yard. We turned and drove down the road and came up on a cleaning and found the train yard.
She would leave there go south and head towards Atlanta. The NS securities were there and made sure all rail fans where safe and not get to close. You meet a lot people when rail fanning, and that day we met an elderly couple and her Dad was a engineer for 630 many years ago. She told us about riding the train wearing her Sunday dress. They were a delightful couple, who lived near by and came out when she heard the steam whistle. :-)
The old steam engine would go on to Atlanta and carry the NS employees on their excursion run from Atlanta to Hapeville and back. But son and I will never forget that day. When steam train came to Georgia, in the 2000s. The steam engine consolidation 2-8-0 Southern 630.
Have a great day friend !!
DanSamRR
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