SOUTHERN RAILWAY 4501 & GP38-2 5000: A LEGACY PRESERVED
Riding the Rails of History: The Legacy of Southern Railway 4501 and GP38-2 5000
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) offers rail enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the storied history of two iconic locomotives: Southern Railway 4501 and Southern GP38-2 5000. Though separated by six decades and representing different eras of railroad technology, these locomotives share a common heritage on the Southern Railway. Today, they continue to thrill passengers as they lead trains out of Grand Junction, with the 4501 pulling the Summerville Steam train and the 5000 guiding the dinner train. This post explores the intertwined legacies of these two extraordinary engines, illustrating how they each played a pivotal role in the evolution of rail transportation.
Southern Railway 4501: A Testament to Steam Locomotive Resilience
Southern Railway 4501, a 2-8-2 Mikado locomotive, was born in October 1911, at the Baldwin Locomotive Works with builder number 37085. This locomotive marked the beginning of a new era for Southern Railway, paving the way for the construction of 484 more Mikado-type engines. Initially, 4501 served the Southern Railway across East Tennessee, Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana, performing the unglamorous yet crucial work of hauling freight.
However, 4501’s story took a dramatic turn in 1948 when L.C. Bruce, General Manager of the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway (K&T), sought to expand his fleet. Bruce, a former Southern Railway employee, purchased the oldest 2-8-2 Mikado in the Southern Railway fleet, which he found in Princeton, Indiana. He relocated 4501 to Stearns, Kentucky, where it continued to serve for another 16 years. During this time, the locomotive remained relatively obscure, quietly working in the mountains of east/central Kentucky.
It wasn’t until 1961 that the 4501 caught the attention of Robert Soule and Paul Merriman, future founders of TVRM. Soule and Merriman, on a mission to document the East’s remaining steam-powered engines, were immediately captivated by the number 12 engine, which bore the distinct look of the Southern Railway. As the K&T transitioned to diesel power, Soule and Merriman saw an opportunity to preserve this piece of rail history. Merriman personally financed the purchase of the 4501 in 1964, using his funds to acquire the locomotive, while TVRM members used $5,000 to add K&T 10 to their museum collection.
From that point on, the unassuming 4501 evolved into one of the world’s most traveled, photographed, and celebrated steam locomotives. It became the star of Southern Railway’s Steam Excursion Program, later operated by Norfolk Southern, carrying passengers on mainline excursions and museum tours for TVRM. Despite being retired in 1999 due to rising maintenance costs, 4501 was selected for the “21st Century Steam” program, which saw it restored to service between 2011 and 2014. Although the program has since concluded, 4501 continues to operate, thrilling passengers on TVRM tracks.
Southern GP38-2 5000: Bridging the Gap Between Eras
As steam power began to wane, the Southern Railway turned to diesel technology, ushering in a new chapter in its history. One of the most significant diesel locomotives in the Southern Railway fleet was the GP38-2 5000, built in 1972. This locomotive was the first of 257 GP38-2 units purchased by the Southern Railway, and it quickly became a symbol of the transition from steam to diesel power.
The GP38-2 5000, unlike many other railroads’ diesel locomotives, was built with a high short hood rather than the factory default low short hood. This design choice reflected the Southern Railway’s desire to maintain a consistent visual identity across its fleet, linking the new diesel engines to their steam predecessors. With 2,000 horsepower under the hood, the GP38-2 5000 became a workhorse for the Southern Railway, serving in various capacities across the network.
In 2016, TVRM added the 5000 to its collection by trading another GP38-2, Southern Railway 5033. The acquisition ensured that the 5000 would not only be preserved but also restored to its original Southern Railway paint scheme, as it looked when new. Today, the 5000 operates at TVRM, leading dinner trains and participating in special events, continuing to demonstrate the power and reliability of diesel technology.
The Significance of Preservation
The preservation of Southern Railway 4501 and GP38-2 5000 by TVRM is not just about saving old locomotives from the scrapyard. It’s about maintaining a tangible connection to the past and offering the public a chance to experience the evolution of rail transportation firsthand. These locomotives, while different in many ways, both played crucial roles in the Southern Railway’s history and continue to educate and inspire rail enthusiasts of all ages.
The Southern Railway 4501, with its storied past and cultural significance, has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places (#79002440). Meanwhile, the GP38-2 5000 stands as a symbol of the technological advancements that have shaped modern railroading. Together, these locomotives offer a unique window into the history of American railroads, illustrating how technology and innovation have driven the industry forward over the past century.
The legacies of Southern Railway 4501 and GP38-2 5000 are more than just stories of old machines; they are stories of progress, innovation, and the enduring human spirit. As these locomotives continue to operate at TVRM, they remind us of the importance of preserving our industrial heritage and the excitement of riding the rails. Whether you’re a lifelong rail enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the stories of 4501 and 5000 offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of railroading, past and present.
Addressing Reader Questions:
- Why is the Southern Railway 4501 significant?
- The 4501 was the first 2-8-2 Mikado built for Southern Railway, marking the beginning of an era in rail transportation. Its preservation by TVRM and inclusion in the Steam Excursion Program has made it a symbol of rail history.
- What was the “21st Century Steam” program?
- This program, initiated by Norfolk Southern in collaboration with TVRM, aimed to revive and operate steam locomotives like the 4501, offering the public a chance to experience rail travel as it was in the past.
- How does 4501 continue to operate today?
- Through donations and ticket sales, TVRM maintains the 4501, allowing it to run on special excursions, preserving its legacy for future generations.
- Why did Southern Railway choose high short hoods for its GP38-2 locomotives?
- Southern Railway’s preference for high short hoods maintained a consistent design language across its diesel fleet, linking it to its steam locomotive heritage.
- What role does the GP38-2 5000 play at TVRM?
- The GP38-2 5000 operates in various capacities, including leading dinner trains and special events, showcasing diesel power’s evolution.
- How does the GP38-2 5000 compare to the 4501 in terms of significance?
- While the 4501 symbolizes steam’s golden age, the 5000 represents the shift to diesel, marking a new chapter in Southern Railway’s history.