Sometimes it's better to make sure that you know what's happening somewhere before you get there. As was the case on March 3rd, when I called the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM, or as I call it, "The Museum") to see if they had Southern 2-8-0 #630 up & running. Unfortunately, she won't be returning from her winter slumber about two or three weeks from then. So I'm planning on going there in May. Hopefully she'll be ready. On the other hand, if I hadn't checked, I would be stuck going to the different Goodwill thrift stores with my mom, waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for her to get done. I only go to the TVRM if steam is pulling the Missionary Ridge Local, which I always ride, and runs between The Museum's two stations, Grand Junction (where all their trains depart from) and East Chattanooga, where their shops are at. For anyone in the U.K. or are not familiar with experiancing the Missionary Ridge Local, if you have been to the Bluebell Railway in Britan, the TVRM's route is laid out just like it, with Grand Junction having the wye, and East Chattanooga having the turntable and the museum's shops. Also, the TVRM is the ONLY place in America that has all the machinery needed for a complete restoration to be done on a steam locomotive, which is why Union Pacific has had the TVRM do work on Union Pacific 4-8-4 #844's drive wheels. The Friends of the 261 (Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261) also sent 261's drive wheels there for the same job.
Also on my Appalachian Southern Route, I have begun downloading BNSF50's 1950's era railroad crossings designed for use with Boat's ATLS system. I have also made changes to the switchstands so that they resemble those used by the Norfolk & Western during the steam era. I plan on making a separate route, using the same layout, that has been modernized (i.e. Railroad crossing signs currently used and switch motors), and the branchline had become a shortline while the mainline is owned by Norfolk Southern.
Remenber the math you learned in school taught you that 1+1=11.
Also on my Appalachian Southern Route, I have begun downloading BNSF50's 1950's era railroad crossings designed for use with Boat's ATLS system. I have also made changes to the switchstands so that they resemble those used by the Norfolk & Western during the steam era. I plan on making a separate route, using the same layout, that has been modernized (i.e. Railroad crossing signs currently used and switch motors), and the branchline had become a shortline while the mainline is owned by Norfolk Southern.
Remenber the math you learned in school taught you that 1+1=11.