The Trains Return to the Choo Choo
The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) and the Tennessee Valley
Railroad Museum (TVRM) are proud of the #630 Steam locomotive train
returning to the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. On Monday morning,
July 15 the TVRM brought its 1904 Alco 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive
#630 and a consists of passenger cars, commissary car and a business car
onto the Choo Choo's tracks as they arrived to pick up the 220+ LCCA
attendees to ride to Summerville GA. The engine #630 is a coal burner that
was transferred from Norfolk Southern to TVRM in 1999. After a 10 year
restoration, the engine was put back in service in 2011 and has been in
service these past two years. The TVRM is happy to team up with the LCCA
for this special event. Bringing a train to the Choo Choo is a rare event,
since it requires crossing the interlocking exchange of two very active
lines, the Norfolk Southern and the CSX. It has been about 5-6 years since
a passenger train has pulled up to the 100 year old depot and had passengers
get on board to ride behind a steam engine.
This special event was part of the LCCA's weeklong 43rd Annual Convention
held at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel July 14-20, 2013. LCCA had about
1,000 members and their families from all over the country come to
Chattanooga TN, attend this event and participate in the family fun
activities. Our members who love Lionel toy trains came to Chattanooga TN
to have fun and experience Lionel toy trains, real trains, Civil War
History, local attractions and good old Chattanooga Choo Choo southern
hospitality.
