Day
2 - Tuesday, August 21, 2007 (continued)
These trains were operated by the TVRM subsidiary
the Hiwassee River Railroad Company. Alas the adage "timing
is everything" applied here as well. Changes in shipping
costs (thanks to the cost of oil), the value of steel ingredients
and the level of foreign demand all conspired to end service
by 2006. So, what to do with a rebuilt railroad? The TVRM
has partnered again with Tennessee Overhill once again to
operate the line for regular excursion service.
The
day for our trip was hot and sunny, but surprisingly enough
the open air coaches, which are great for photographers, were
not all that hot, even though temperatures back in Chattanooga
climbed to near 100 degrees.
Our
train left ETOWAH/Gee Creek and proceeded 47 miles SOUTH to
Blue Ridge, Ga. on the Georgia Northeastern Railroad. This
route is on the old line of the Louisville & Nashville which
served the Copper Basin of southeast Tennessee. The trip paralleled
the scenic Hiwassee River. At Appalachia, the train began
the grade up Bald Mountain at Farmer where the upgrade trip
rose 426 feet in less than six miles by making almost two
complete circles around the mountain. The loop was some 8,000
feet in length and has a maximum grade of 1.55 percent. At
the summit, the line crossed over itself on a three-deck wooden
trestle that is 62 feet high and 195 feet in length.
Above: TVRM 2391 (painted in Knoxville and Holston
River livery) and No. 710 (painted in Nashville Chattanooga
& St. Louis Livery) were set out at Copperhill.
Shortly
after circling Bald Mountain, the Appalachia Dam and Reservoir
in North Carolina were visible on the left. The train passed
near Ducktown then on to Copperhill where the world’s largest
sulfuric acid plant was located, a by-product of the copper
smelting process. This was all part of the huge Tennessee
Copper Company’s operation, which at one time had
its own 20 mile railroad and motive power. At
that location the two lead locomotives, owned by the Tennessee
Valley Railroad Museum, were set out as planned as they were
only needed to get us "up the hill."
While
riding the back of the train (I have an all access pass) I
got to meet Ann from Illinois, who was busy shooting photos
of the trestle. We enjoyed talking about the trains we've
ridden in different places. One of her favorites was the Alaska
Railway.
There were two photo runbys of the day, the
first in the morning at a passing siding at Appalachia - the
only surviving passing siding. The second was at a farm near
Blue Ridge, which like most of the rest of the route, was
inaccessible directly by road. To see a short video of
the runby, click here.
A
box lunch was provided to all passengers after we left the
first photo runby spot. There were two cars with souvenirs
and snacks for sale on the train as well. We
had a very friendly train crew and staff who made our trip
enjoyable were. Ginger and Shannon who were selling souvenirs
on the train, took a break from their sales to pose for this
photo (at left).
After
the train arrived at Blue Ridge about 2:45 PM, passengers
had about 45 minutes to walk around town, shop, and catch
a bite to eat. On this warm summer day Ice Cream at the Soda
Fountain and coca-cola's were popular. Blue Ridge was a quaint
little town with a beautifully resttored station and lots
of neat little shops.
There
were three classes of accommodations on the train. Air conditioned
coaches, open aired coaches, and premium class which were
very plush coach seats with light snacks and beverages included.
The two premium coaches were ex Bangor and Aroostock cars.
Mike and Frances from Washington D.C. are were but two of
the passengers riding in one of the former B&A cars. They
said they also had a great time visiting Dollywood up near
Gatlinburg this week on their trek to Chattanooga, and would
definitely recommend a ride on the five mile steam train their
to any railfan.
Busses:
Every
NRHS Convention that I've ever been to involved busses to
or from train locations to the headquarters hotel. These deluxe
motorcoaches were exceptionally well appointed and comfortable,
they even had wireless internet on-board as well as an A/V
system. So, our two hour ride back to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo
by bus, through some terriffic scenery, wasn't bad at all!
After dinner at the "choo-choo", it
was time to partake in one of two activities. The best choice
for the night for me was to see the vintage film of the evening
which started at 8:00. There was also a night photo session
at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, but my turn to participate
in that comes tomorrow night.
Wes Ross and Mitch Dakelman showed Southern
Lumber Roads movies by the late David Williams. This was a
free event for convention goers. The movies will began at
7:30 p.m. in the Centennial Theatre on the complex grounds.
All photos by J. Lilly unless otherwise noted.
