Archive News Story

The Trains Return to the Choo Choo - Video of #630 (Recap)

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 PLUS LCCA attendees to ride to Summerville GA.  

The steam 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 week long 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 to have fun and experience Lionel toy trains, real trains, Civil War History, local attractions and good old Chattanooga Choo Choo southern hospitality.

To view a video of this LCCA steam train excursion - click below: