It has been several months since the newspapers in Western NC, as well as on here, announced that the local governments had stepped in to help make things happen at GSMR. I am sure there are only a handful of qualified places/people that GSMR can pull from to complete the stalled overhaul of 1702 (Is that what we are calling it now when people disassemble engines without having the ability to complete the job now? Or, do we just call it a 1472 and walk away? You decide.)

So...anyone with updates? Turntable pit started yet, engine in shop yet, and has anyone been hired yet?

Thanks

The same management runs D&S and Texas State, so they have no need to hire from outside to get well qualified specialists. I hope to hear more good news about the situation.

dave

The Texas State railroad is now run by Iowa Pacific.
Great Smokey has nothing to do with Texas operations.

Sorry, senior momment. Did D&S also break away when I wasn't looking?

dave

I hope to see the 1702 back on the rails. I had the pleasure years ago on the Reader Railroad:
The last all steam powered mixed train in America

Nope; everyone involved with the TSRR realized that tourist dollars alone weren't going to keep it going and that resuming freight service was really the key. AHR didn't have the experience and resources necessary to make that happen; Iowa Pacific did and was brought in to run the railroad.

Mike -

So has there been a lot of freight business on TSR thus far?

Les

Mike -

Looks like I answered my own question. According to TSR's website, a new section of track connecting TSR to the Union Pacific was built this past November and TSR has been checking it out, including rules when on the UP, just this past month. So, looks like freight business has not started up as yet. Hopefully, there are some customers on the line.

Les