Back in 1988, I drove over to Hartwell, GA to take in the newly refurbished 2-6-2 # 11 in its second operating stint on the Hartwell Railroad. The venerable prairie made her first runs on a rainy July 4, 1988. Here we see her finishing the climb up from Lake Hartwell in route from Hartwell to the interchange with the Norfolk Southern's Elberton Branch at Bowersville. A few vintage freight cars with a combine instead of the commuter cars and this photo would look like it is from Beebe's "Mixed Train Daily".

This go round she was painted black instead of the almost Southern Green from before.

With appropriate graphite colored smoke box.

In spite of being a fan of big engines, I have to say this is one of the prettiest steam locomotives around--a beautiful shortline classic.

What might her current status be?

Her next stop was in Paris, KY on the Kentucky Central Ry (89-93). After her operating time was up she sat there before being moved to a park in Nicholasville, KY.

I remember the 11 before any of these photos -- see "The last all steam powered mixed train in America, Reader Railroad was all steam 'til the end in 1974"

Recalling the history of the Hartwell Railroad tourist operation brings up Frank W Pollock Jr. The Passenger cars he used in 83-84 were sold to the New Georgia RR in 1985, and the 11 stayed behind. This second operation of No. 11 leaves me with some questions.

I know Frank was killed in a car accident but was that before or after this 1988 operation? (The name on the cab is F. W. Pollock JR seems almost "in memorium")

Also does anyone recall who did the refurbishment work on 11? The all black, no white trim, and graphite suggests a bit of a purest. This scheme is quite a departure from the faux Southern green and gold leaf used the first go round.

is there possibility that anyone is going to restore her to operation. I think #11 would make a perfect steamer for any Railroad preservation organization or a short line. If I had the money, skills and a home #11 would be my first choice but hey I can dream can't I?

Would be a good candidate for short line operation. She's also a saturated steamer no super heaters. That cuts some costs out. Then no powered reverse IIRC Johnson Bar reverse. A solid basic Steam loco.

Is that her original tender? Looks a little big for a shortline 2-6-2, if it is not, where is that tender from?

That tender was from Louisiana & Arkansas #509 (4-6-0), which is now on display somewhere down in GA? FL?

Here are a few more photos from July 4, 1988.
Leaving the yard in Hartwell. A classic short line winding its way between trees and houses.

Winding through the fields next to a dirt road in route to Bowersville, GA.

Working hard backwards up the hill from Lake Hartwell.

Though there was a wye in Bowersville they tended not to turn the locomotive because they had no way of turning in Hartwell. Frank Pollock did attempt to install a turntable in Hartwell. After installing it they got the engine stuck on it and had to jack the table up on one end to pull it back off. So the operation settled on running head first to Bowersville and backwards on the return to Hartwell.

IIRC - wasn't/isn't there a line deviation built to specifically avoid cutting through a stand of trees?

I also remember riding the line on a Sunday afternoon as the train curved past waving people in their back yards.

It was like a scene out of Beebe and Clegg's "Mixed Train Daily".


Best Regards,
Glenn

Got lucky on search results:

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vowners ... splay=1138

http://trains.nute.ws/4-6-0/L&A509.htm

http://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/loam/loam.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fkehren/5907221657/

Other power on L&A:

http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr099.htm

In addition to the 509, there is at least one other piece of L&A equipment around, an office car named Magnolia (scroll down for pix):

http://www.arkansasties.com/WhatsNew/20 ... uchwood-2/

Like No. 11, the 509 is a good looker. Who wouldn't want to see this one find a place to run?

509 is currently on display at the Tennessee Central depot in Cookeville, TN.
Sister 503 is on display in a park in Port Arthur, TX