Delta Queen's Arrival in Chattanooga

The apparently missing whistle is very troubling. Which reminds me, can anyone tell us if the items that were removed from the engine room for "safe keeping" ie:telegraph, brass guages, were replaced?

Not missing items

Greg, if you watch the videos/slide shows, you'll see the whistle being blown upon arrival, the engine room telegraph in place and so on. The volunteers mentioned during a phone call that many items thought to be missing had been stored away and that they were replacing them as part of their job during the trip. So the reports of these things being stolen or missing were, fortunately, erroneous.

Thanks, Judy. I'll sleep easier now!

The whistle was removed for clearance reasons and as seen when she arrived in Chattanooga had been reattached. She blew a beautiful departure whistle from Florence, AL on 2/9. Everything as Judy said has been replaced and put back where it belongs. All of the brass in the engine room was meticulously shined by the engineering crew on her way up. She really does look splendid right now. There apparently was a little truth behind the theft rumor, but it wasn't serious. Only a few minor tools were taken and easily replaced, nothing unique or special to the boat (which makes sense, what use would a specialized tool for the DQ be to an average theif?). Overall she looks great, as anyone who boarded in Chattanooga during the breif open house saw, just needs a little more sprucing up, some paint and such. The boat is in amazing shape still and its a shame to see her steam plant go cold.

From what I understand, the plan is to use on shore boilers for heat, she'll have city water line run in, and city sewage hookup using pumps along with electricity run in. No doubt some modifications will have to be made, but nothing structural or that could not be rectified easily.

While I'm by no means thrilled she's tied up, this really is a good thing for the time being. Lets hope its not permanenet, but it sure beats sitting closed up and neglected somewhere, especially NOLA. For many years the DQ has been available to the elite few who could afford her and those of us who are crazy enough to scrounge and penny pinch for a year or so to enjoy a couple days on her. Now she's open to everyone to learn about her and explore what we all cherish so well. Even with an exemption, she'd not be successful without future clientel, now children and folks of all ages will be able to go aboard and be mesmorized by her charm and wish they could sail on her. So when that day comes, hopefully this stint as a hotel will help spread the word and her popularity so when (I hate to say if) she operates again she'll have people lining up to ride her for years to come. We should be happy she's still around, and open so we can visit. She really is in the best hands she could be at the moment and will be cared for by people who really seem to appreciate her heritage, history and all of us who love that grand ole boat. The Queen still needs our support so I encourage everyone to go visit, spend a night aboard, I know it wont be the same, but she needs to be successful as a hotel so that someone can afford to take good care of her until we get to take her out on the waterways again! Long live the Delta Queen!

While I will never regret the two trips we took last year, I am in the process of re-financing our house so I can reduce the interest rate on the debt we ran up riding her. With the price of gold nearing $1K an ounce, I'd better start panning the creek here so I can pay that off and save some up for future trips!
It was most relieving to see the gauge board and the whistle "cloud" in the photos. She does look good. I'm guessing the two month prep time for the hotel is for all these adaptions? What about the investment these folks are putting in her, will that encumber a future operator if that happens before summer?
S'
David D.

Once in Chattanooga there was a quick public viewing the let local and those crazy FRN's (haha) on to look around then she left for an hour long river cruise with 94 passengers. Anyhow we tried to get as many of us together as possible o the stairs for a group photo. Snickers bar for anyone whoever can name the most! I'll post more photos soon!

Dick and Suzanne, Barb, Pat T and you. Pat C, Rita, Vic. JoAnn S, Joanne W, Mike, Jim W, Jennifer...I'm sorry if screwed up anybody's name or don't recognize you in the picture.

Deb and I shoulda been there, it's upsetting. Unfortunately I was a little preoccupied, and couldn't leave the area...

Phillip,

What do I get if I know them all?

I won't take the bar from anyone else!

~Travis~

Geeze, Travis, I thought I was doing pretty good with knowing 13 out of 19 full faces...

Phillip, I suspect I'm gonna get trounced by the master here, my cardiologist would probably frown at me snarfing a Snickers Bar anyways...

the whistle

The Delta Queens whistle was moved forward and lowered, behind the pilot hose roof several years ago by Chief Dennis Shenk, and it was there and functional for the trip from New Orleans, I know from a good source.