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!
This website identifies the 1097 as originally part of a TR2 cow/calf set with the road number 2404: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=230181 It was part of a five set order numbered 2400-2404. Here's an early photo of the 2402 before the units received separate numbers and were repainted: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0sIAAOSwvAVi5Dql/s-l1600.jpg
I was wondering why the guy was climbing on top of the hood with his fuel hose. Now I got it. I was living in Knoxville in the early 70s. Photos below were taken in winter 70/71. Hiroshi@Boxcar Red Collection
At John Sevier Yard at Knoxville in the winter of 1970, found a cow, a calf, and a slug. Another calf #2453 behind the cow. Same place, same date. Hiroshi@Boxcar Red Collection
From 02/10/1979 at Knoxville, TN, SOU X266. I've forgotten what the yellow bay window area indicates, but it may have had something to do with these lacking a permanent radio for over the road service. SOU coach 844 on a fantrip at Toccoa, GA 04/16/1988. At the time, NS had a ready fleet of these, as SOU didn't join Amtrak until 1979.
Supposedly, the yellow bay denoted cabooses used only in local or yard service. https://www.hodrrm.org/body.cfm?id=947
That is true that the yellow bays denoted local service but from my earlier years of railfanning, I can tell you these were often seen on road trains as well.
I'll bet that's right, as most of my SOU "yellow belly" shots were taken of cabooses in local and yard service. Perhaps those assigned to local/yard service also lacked built-in radios. This link may suggest that, but I get confused reading it. https://ncrails.com/2020/01/09/southern-bay-window-caboose-chatter/
In as much as it looks as if SOU operated short hood forward, storing fuel in the short hood sounds like a invitation to a disaster.
From 04/10/1988 at Johnson City, TN, an SOU 40' boxcar stenciled with letters that barely fit. Built 01/1951.
