The locomotive was originally delivered in 1890 to the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway (ETV&G) as #466. In 1894, ETV&G is merged to form the Southern Railway as 466 was renumbered to 154. It served the Southern in the Tennessee area until being retired and given to the City of Knoxville in August 1953 to be on display at the Chilhowee Park.
In 1989, the locomotive was given to the Old Smoky Railway Museum which donated the locomotive to the Gulf and Ohio Railways in August 2008. The City of Knoxville and Old Smoky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society made plans to restore 154 and made it become the oldest operating Southern steam locomotive.[2]
However in August 2013, #154's bell had been stolen by a thief who had climbed over the fence and cradled to the Gulf & Ohio Railway yard where 154 was parked last night.[3] By January 20, 2015, 154's bell was found at last when the Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigate a house on Kimberlin Heights Road, recovering everything from stolen cars to lawn equipment. The locomotive's bell was stoled by Gary Steven Valentin, a 54 year old thief but it was finally reunited with the 154.[4]
