From Flimsies, it appears the folks in Gainesville, Georgia need some help with their RR display, which includes Gainesville Midland 2-10-0 209. They're talking about asbestos removal and sandblasting, so hopefully someone skilled with locomotives can advise them down there. It would be a shame to see this stock-model Baldwin damaged unnecessarily by unknowing workers.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20030924/localnews/320274.html
ryarger@rypn.org

There was a plan presented to the city of Gainesville late last December that would have lead to the preservation of the locomotive as a living, breathing artifact less than two hours from Gainesville, but the then mayor and city council were reluctant to say the least. Personally, insamuch I'm concerned, their heritage will rust to the ground waiting on decisive action from the council. I know, I was there.

> From Flimsies, it appears the folks in
> Gainesville, Georgia need some help with
> their RR display, which includes Gainesville
> Midland 2-10-0 209. They're talking about
> asbestos removal and sandblasting, so
> hopefully someone skilled with locomotives
> can advise them down there. It would be a
> shame to see this stock-model Baldwin
> damaged unnecessarily by unknowing workers.

> There was a plan presented to the city of
> Gainesville late last December that would
> have lead to the preservation of the
> locomotive as a living, breathing artifact
> less than two hours from Gainesville, but
> the then mayor and city council were
> reluctant to say the least. Personally,
> insamuch I'm concerned, their heritage will
> rust to the ground waiting on decisive
> action from the council. I know, I was
> there.

Why would that certain railroad less than two hours away want to mess with restoring an engine with one too many driving axles when they're already restoring a 2-8-0 that can pull the same size train?

I'm ignorant about all this stuff, but from experience when cities find out what it costs to professionally do a decent conservation-oriented cosmetic restoration, assuming they find a vendor who knows how, they almost immediately have the city maintenence guys throw sand and paint at it and call it good.

A decapod and consolidation and heavy pacific all under restoration in Georgia? Not to mention the 2-4-2.......given I am somewhat involved in the local network I would be amazed if this proved to be more than wishful thinking. At least I know the 2-4-2 is under s-l-o-w progress if nothing else.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

Dave,

Tell us more about the consol and heavy pacific being restored. A&WP No.290?

Rob Gardner

> I'm ignorant about all this stuff, but from
> experience when cities find out what it
> costs to professionally do a decent
> conservation-oriented cosmetic restoration,
> assuming they find a vendor who knows how,
> they almost immediately have the city
> maintenence guys throw sand and paint at it
> and call it good.

> A decapod and consolidation and heavy
> pacific all under restoration in Georgia?
> Not to mention the 2-4-2.......given I am
> somewhat involved in the local network I
> would be amazed if this proved to be more
> than wishful thinking. At least I know the
> 2-4-2 is under s-l-o-w progress if nothing
> else.

> Dave


rtrain@nls.net

Like I said Rob, mostly rumors. 290 has been under restoration for several years at SERM and perhaps Andrew will give us an update. She isn't a priority as I understand it right now. The 2-8-0 is a question I can't answer - another knowledgeable person seems to know something about it. Some noise was made a while back about converting some amusement park 4-4-0s from steam to diesel hydraulic. The idea was floated of repatriating a 2-6-2 to NC for its Cliffside heritage, taking a 2-8-0 in trade.

Now, the concept of returning Chatahoochee Velley 2-8-0 #21 to service from SERM for use at Blue Ridge? There's an idea. The failed recent attempt to get state funding for a southeastern GA tourist line? A better idea. A network of small tourist operations on state DOT owned shortlines? Bigger and still better. Taking one of the 4-4-0s from Stone Mountain for use on them? Still better and better.

Not holding my breath on any of this however.....

Maybe the knowledgeable people will come out of the closet and tell us what they are working on, and provide some realistic assessments of progress.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> Like I said Rob, mostly rumors. 290 has been
> under restoration for several years at SERM
> and perhaps Andrew will give us an update.
> She isn't a priority as I understand it
> right now.

Dave,

For those unfamiliar with the situation, let me clarify the term "restoration" as it applies to 290. As of right now (as you know) 290 is undergoing reassembly for future display, but as you said she isn't a priority. One of the main reasons is that no decision has been made as to where to display her. Also, even though she's under cover at the new site (thank God!) much work remains to insure that she doesn't deteriorate, since afer all she's in fairly decent condition mechanically. As far as what has been done lately, the running gear and brake rigging are basically complete now, after being in various states of disassembly following the wheel work that was done when 290 returned from New Georgia (before the ban on mainline steam in the south). Right now we're concentrating on preservation of the pressure vessel and minor repairs to the smokebox. Work has been slow lately in part due to the improvements that the museum has been making in upgrading our facilities, as well as work on pieces of equipment that are more easily displayable/operable. Georgia Railroad caboose 2866 and NYO&W GE 44 tonner 104 come to mind. With everything going on, manpower is at a premium! This will probably hold true throughout the winter, since 97 is due for major work at season's end. The most important thing with 290 right now is that she is protected from the elements, something that was not true at the old site.

Andrew

Southeastern Railway Museum
gapower97@yahoo.com