TVRM's Chickamauga Turn: NC&StL 710 to Georgia

On May 25, 2024, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum operated their popular Chickamauga Turn excursion between the museum in Chattanooga and the historic Civil War town of Chickamauga, Georgia.

Power for the train this day was former Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway GP9 No. 710, the oldest operating diesel in the museum's collection. Built as a GP7 in 1950, the 710 operated on the NC until 1957 when they were wholly merged into the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, with the engine becoming L&N 1710, and later the 478. In October, 1975 the engine was involved in a side swipe and partial head on collision with locomotive No. 432 in Birmingham, Alabama, resulting in it being sold for scrap. Rather than being cut up however, it was purchased by Amtrak and rebuilt to GP9 specifications by the Rock Island Railroad's shops in Silvis, Illinois (now the home of the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and their UP 3985/5511 combo). The engine became Amtrak 772, and operated in maintenance of way service until the early 2000's when it was retired and sold as a parts unit to Larry's Truck & Electric Company.

At the time of 772's retirement from Amtrak service, the Tennessee Valley had recently completed the restoration of former Georgia Railroad GP7 No. 1026, and upon learning of the former NC&StL unit, they sold the 1026 to the Southeastern Railway Museum of Duluth, Georgia, and used those funds to purchase the 772 from Larry's Truck & Electric. Restored in 2004 to its original 1950 appearance and number, the 710 has been a fan and employee favorite for many years, it's a well running engine, and can do just about any job asked of it.

Behind the 710 on this trip is a collection of cars ranging in age from 70 years old to 113 years, including coaches, dining cars, a commissary car and even a first class dome car.

From west to east on the train:
Chesapeake & Ohio dome/parlor/observation No. 1877 (Budd, 1949)
Southern Railway dining car No. 3158 (Pullman, 1924)
Southern Railway dining car No. 3164 (Pullman, 1925)
US Army Troop Kitchen Car No. 50 (St. Louis Car Co., 1954)
Central of Georgia coach No. 907 (American Car & Foundry, 1947)
Central of Georgia coach No. 661 (American Car & Foundry, 1947)
Southern Railway coach No. 1037 (Pullman, 1911)

I hope you enjoy this video, I'm normally on the head end for this trip, so it's quite unusual that I actually got the chance to chase the train for a change.