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| SC RR Museum Signs Lease for R&R/ACL #712 https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3218 |
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| Author: | Matt Conrad [ Thu May 23, 2002 3:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | SC RR Museum Signs Lease for R&R/ACL #712 |
The South Carolina Railroad Museum has signed a 15-year lease agreement for former Rockton & Rion Ry. locomotive #712. The 712 was built by Baldwin in 1903 for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It was one of 24 class L 2-8-0s built for service on the ACL's branch to Birmingham, AL. During World War II, the War Production Board ordered the locomotive sold to the Rockton & Rion Railway, where it became R&R #712. The 712 was used primarily as a reserve engine by the R&R until the late 1960s. The Rockton & Rion was one of the last railroads in the country to switch to diesels in 1970. When the assets of the Rockton & Rion were liquidated in the early 1970s, the engine was sold to Fairfield Enterprises and moved to their scrap yard at the east end of what is now the Museum's Rion Yard. It was left there when the scrap yard closed, and remained there in 1984 when the former Rockton & Rion Railway was transferred by donation to The South Carolina Railroad Museum. The locomotive was not included in the donation of the railroad, as it was owned by Fairfield Enterprises rather than by the railroad. The Museum tried several times during the 1980s and 1990s to reach an agreement with the locomotive's owner, but was unable to reach a deal agreeable to both parties. Negotiations resumed in early 2002. By May, an agreement had been reached in principle. The lease signing, which occurred on May 23, 2002, finally resolves this long-standing issue, ensuring that the locomotive will be preserved for the forseeable future. The locomotive is one of only five surviving Atlantic Coast Line steam engines. While four other Rockton & Rion steam locomotives survive, the 712 is the only one still on the property. The Museum's initial plans are to remove the remaining asbestos lagging and stabilize the badly deteriorated locomotive. The unit is beyond economical restoration to operable condition. Eventually the Museum hopes to cosmetically restore the 712 for static display somewhere on the railroad. Exact long-term plans are still uncertain at this time. For photographs or more detailed information, please contact Matt Conrad, SCRM Curator, (803)635-9608, mconrad@compuzone.net. The South Carolina Railroad Museum mconrad@compuzone.net |
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| Author: | Dave [ Thu May 23, 2002 4:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: SC RR Museum Signs Lease for R&R/ACL #712 |
Great news Matt and long overdue. Just how high are the estimates you have in hand for restoration? Dave irondave@bellsouth.net |
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| Author: | Matt Conrad [ Thu May 23, 2002 7:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: SC RR Museum Signs Lease for R&R/ACL #712 |
> Great news Matt and long overdue. > Just how high are the estimates you have in > hand for restoration? > Dave Depends on how much we do. The asbestos removal is going to cost close to $3K. A "quick and dirty" paint job can probably be applied for a couple K, a more thorough job will cost more. The lease obligates us to do the asbestos abatement, and that will probably happen relatively soon -- probably by the end of the summer. Right now we just want to get the nasty stuff off her and stablize the engine. We're not quite to Rion yet so prettying her up can wait at least a little while. BTW, progress on the trackwork through the Greenbrier cut is moving along. The north side of the cut has been excavated about a third of the way through. With luck, we should be able to start track reconstruction this coming winter. The South Carolina Railroad Museum mconrad@compuzone.net |
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