Mainline steam returned to Alabama in April 2012 with 630 making a test run from Chattanooga to Attalla.

A wonderful column of smoke rises as the Southern 630 continues the rise to Ridgecrest. Although the bright lime-green leaves of spring were beautiful in this scene, a black & white version takes ... (more)

Southern Railway #630 makes the runaround movement with the 2 diesels, passing a line of spectators.

Southern consolidation 630 rolls toward Old Fort with the first of 4 roundtrips between Asheville and Old Fort NC on NS's S-Line.

Smoking it's way downhill near Andrew's Geyser.

Thanks to inspiration from a fellow photographer, my Dad and I decided to hike the 2.5 miles down to the tunnels near Ridgecrest. The shot worked out but the experience made the hike worth it

Southern consul 630 is about to dive into Swannanoa Tunnel at the summit.

Southern consul 630 makes a nice recreation of it's days pulling freight out of Asheville with an excursion bound for Old Fort.

Downgrade around the horseshoe curve near Graphite, N.C.

Morning westbound Asheville to Old Fort roundtrip cresting the grade at Ridgecrest after exiting Swannanoa Tunnel

Southern 630 gives the newly rebuilt wye at Old Fort a test run on a ferry move from Salisbury NC to Asheville NC

Eastbound afternoon Asheville to Old Fort roundtrip

Eastbound morning Asheville to Old Fort roundtrip

Westbound afternoon Asheville to Old Fort roundtrip running the engines around the train preparing to head back to Asheville

Eastbound afternoon Asheville to Old Fort roundtrip.