Saw but was unable to photograph the TVRM Hiwassee Loop tourist train Saturday and was surprised to see it being lead by a GMTX blue and white leased geep (possibly a GP38-2 but not for sure since I didn't get a photo). In looking at the website for that trip, the photos show yet a different lease locomotive leading the train. So, I guess it's just one of those things to ponder. Why would a railroad museum that has grown to consider itself a railroad & museum that has several operational locomotives comparable to this lease power need to lease locomotives to pull the train. Seems like that would be an unnecessary expense. https://www.tvrail.com/events-exhibits/rides/hiwassee-loop
If their other, regular power is not down for inspections or maintenance, then it is certainly an interesting question. Hmmm.
According tho the website's head picture, the locomotive looks like in my opinion a former BNSF GP35. Dom
I have a train video that I got for $9.99 at a local store that has this loop on it, pretty cool area.
This is a really unique line with some fantastic scenery. I have not ridden on this line since TVRM started this service. However, I was fortunate enough to get to ride a rare for CSX at the time excursion on this line from Etowah TN to Copperhill TN. It was pulled by the CSX F units. It was sometime in the late 80's to early 90's when CSX still operated this line but the exact year is apparently stuck in one of the cobb webs that are replacing my brain.
That era is about right, as my employer received carloads of sulfuric acid originating at Copperhill up to that time.
We rode one of those trips in'87 I think, one of the worse trips I can remember due to problems with 1 or more cars.
