Operating, maybe, but probably requires an FRA full boiler rebuild based on the time it's sat, and the expense of that task is probably why it's still static... I mean, what's an FRA boiler inspection/rebuild and certification cost today? It can't be cheap, and facilities that do that sort of work are very few and far between. Doesn't make it any less sad, though that the fine steed is still parked.
Sure, no doubt it'd be expensive to get 610 back on the road, but I'm guessing it'd still cost less than the ground-up restorations of "new" steam locomotives in today's headlines. Thankfully it looks like the 610 is stored in a shed out of the weather. It really hurts to see even cosmetically restored equipment rapidly ruined by sitting outdoors.
From 06/09/1985 at Cornelia, GA. The track to the left was once the connection with the storied Tallulah Falls Railroad, a twisty 58 mile line that wound its way north through rugged country to Franklin, NC. It entered bankruptcy in 1923 and somehow hung on until 1961.
The Rabun County Historical Society's site is good, with two interesting videos and some nice photos too. https://rabunhistory.org/museum-exhibits/tallulah-falls-railroad/
Fascinating film footage. Of course seeing the depots and train order signals has me wishing I could locate a flimsy or two from that line!
