CSX Transportation Historical Society

Riding the Copperhill Train - L&NHS 2023 Convention

The main convention activity on Saturday, Sept. 16th, was riding the regularly scheduled Copperhill Special as a group. Sue and I had ridden the shorter Hiwassee Loop train (runs on Sundays) in 2022 during the Chattanooga convention.

1. L&NHS guide. Copperhill Special.

2. Copperhill Special spotted for loading at Delano TN. TVR 5109. 09-16-2023.

3. Crossing the Hiwassee River at Reliance TN. TVR. 10-02-2022.

4. The TVR Hiwassee Loop bridge on 10-02-2022.

5. TVR Hiwassee Loop.

6. TVR Hiwassee Loop.

7. Lower level from upper level. TVR Hiwassee Loop.

8. USGS Farner quad, 1:24,000 scale, 1957. Farner, TN-NC, 1:24,000 quad, 1957, USGS.

9. Farner, TN-NC, 1:24,000 quad, 1957, USGS.

10. USGS Murphy NC quad, 1:125,000 scale, 1893 showing the constraining switchbacks on predecessor Marietta & North Georgia Railroad. Murphy, TN-NC, 1:125,000 quad, 1893, USGS.

11. This portion of the old L&N Atlanta Division was nicknamed the “Hook and Eye” division. The famed Hiwassee Loop formed the “Eye.” For more information see Louisville & Nashville’s Atlanta Division by Michael George. Mr. George gave an excellent presentation on Shay operations in Eastern Tennessee at the Convention. Postcard.

12. The engine ran around the train at the yard and shoved it up to the unloading ramp downtown. We arrived about 12:45 PM. It was announced that the train would depart at 3:00 PM. Everyone headed a couple of blocks to the restaurants and shops in Copperhill. TVR Copperhill Special.

13. Copperhill brochure cover image.

14. Copperhill brochure map image.

15. The Blue Ridge Scenic Ry. operates on the southern end of the old “Hook & Eye” on tracks of the Georgia Northeastern Ry. TVR No. 7529 is departing south with their train. Copperhill TN.

16. This derail prevents an incursion of one railroad onto the other. TVR. Georgia Northeastern RR. Copperhill TN.

17. TVR “L&N” coach 3103 was built by AC&F in 1946 and used on the passenger train Hummingbird. See TVRM’s website at Tennessee Valley Railroad | Chattanooga & Delano Train Rides (tvrail.com) for full details on their equipment. Copperhill TN.

18. TVR SMRX 662 is an ex-Central of Georgia coach. It ran on the Nancy Hanks. Copperhill TN.

19. TVR Dome 9410 is ex-Great Northern 1331 built by AC&F in 1955.

20. TVRM coach 873 is ex-Missouri Pacific. Copperhill TN.

21. TVR RPCX dome 15401 is ex-Canadian Pacific “Algonquin Park.”

22. TVR GP38-2 5109 is ex-NS nee-Southern. It was built in 1974. The long end is designated as forward, but I think it is equipped with dual controls. Copperhill TN.

23. TVR 5109. View 2. Copperhill Special.

24. TVR 5109. View 3. Copperhill TN.

25. “We’re leaving! Hope you can find a ride back to Delano!” TVR. Sue. Copperhill Special.

26. Almost time to leave at 3:30 PM. TVR. Copperhill Special.

27. Crossing the Hiwassee River bridge at Reliance TN. TVR.

28. On Monday we drove back to Copperhill to visit the sites and the Ducktown Basin Museum. TVRM MW ballast car 900005 and GATX 2005 were parked in the yard. Copperhill TN. 09-18-2023.

29. TVRM now owns GMTX GP38 2005. This unit and the 2004 were rebuilt by National Railway Equipment for BNSF. The info I have indicates they were originally Penn Central 7855, built 06-70, but it is also conflicting. Copperhill TN.

30. TVR track scales and former L&N yard. Copperhill TN. 09-18-2023.

31. Former L&N yard looking north toward Etowah. The main and the siding are used by TVR. Copperhill TN.

32. TVR scales. GTMX 2005. Copperhill TN.

All for now.