When GSMRR pulled out of Dillsboro,NC about 60k tourists a year stopped coming to town. Here's a proposal from the railroad to get them back.

http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/i ... on-$817000


What I don't like in the article is the remark about "a steam engine that doesn't work" being placed in a park. While I would like to see #722 back together as a static display as compared to her current state, I still am disappointed that $$ was spent on the Swedish trainset as opposed to restoring 722 or even that ugly Army engine (IMHO) 1702.

But, hey, its their railroad, and I wish them much success. Still, I don't think there is a single project that could bring more goodwill and more excitement to GSMRR than resurrecting #722. Even at a million dollar restoration, I submit that such an event would draw far more people than her Swedish cousin.

Matt Bumgarner

That remark about the steam engine that Mr. Harper would "possibly be willing" to display in a park could be referring to either 1702 or 722, but I wouldn't read too much into it yet. At least until Jackson County makes a decision whether or not they are willing to subsidize the railroad's grand plans. I have been disappointed by the 722's fate over the last decade and with what has happened with 1702 to a lesser extent. For the sake of preservation of both of these locomotives I hope that the GSMR is able to find the funding to do something with either if not both of those Baldwin steamers.

Here is a photo that was posted on Flickr by The Sylva Herald newspaper of 722 in happier times during its regular service career on the Murphy Branch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesylvaherald/52296

Steven Ashley

I am with you Matt, I would much rather see the money spent to get 722 running than spending all that money just to transport the Swedish train set to NC..
Like you say it is their Railroad.

DBH

Thought the work to 630 has been extraordinarily thorough, the fact that 722 is nearly identical would make repair costs immediately available. I suspect that 630 is well over the half million mark, but 722 was not quite as worn mechanically, as I recall. The money to move the B&ML stuff would certainly pay to get the boiler work done and get her back to life, though I'm not sure how much more would be needed for the running gear. 1702 was in relatively good shape mechanically, though I'm not sure what kind of boiler work was needed. It almost certainly would have been less than what was paid for the Swedish stuff. Frankly, it's a bit galling that Harper would want the town and county to cough up nearly a million dollars to subsidize his business. Don't get me wrong, supporting a major local business can be in the interest of the community, but this seems a bit over the top for a for-profit operation. The GSMR franchise was very successful under previous ownership and seems to have deteriorated under American Heritage. The D&S seems to be where most of their energy is spent.

Now, if the local government wants to use their bonding capacity to enact all of this as a loan, that's an entirely different story. Or possibly creating tax saving incentives for GSMR would be another option. Most of this, however, appears to be asking flat-out for a handout at the expense of the taxpayers.

Disappointed by this news,
Mike