I currently live in Marietta and can drive to Chattanooga in less than 90 minutes and it takes about 30-35 to get to Gainesville in little to no traffic. There is a 2-8-0 undergoing an overhaul there. And I made a presentation to the city of Gainesville in December regarding same. Apparently, the "Knowledgeable Person" was at the council meeting. I must say I was disappointed at the luke warm concern about the condition and long-term preservation of the engine.

Mike

Rebuilding Yesterday for Tomorrow
newriver400@cs.com

I'm hoping that someone knowledgeable in locomotive restoration down there will try to help advise these people (whether they want it or not). We'd all like to see engines run again, but a proper cosmetic restoration would preserve the locomotive so it could be made to run at a later date. Without help and advise from someone who knows what he is doing, they will probably have unknowing contractors blast grit into the bearings and torch off/scrap whatever is needed to get at the lagging. Too many engines have suffered this fate needlessly.

> I currently live in Marietta and can drive
> to Chattanooga in less than 90 minutes and
> it takes about 30-35 to get to Gainesville
> in little to no traffic. There is a 2-8-0
> undergoing an overhaul there. And I made a
> presentation to the city of Gainesville in
> December regarding same. Apparently, the
> "Knowledgeable Person" was at the
> council meeting. I must say I was
> disappointed at the luke warm concern about
> the condition and long-term preservation of
> the engine.

> Mike


ryarger@rypn.org

I understand that Greg Dodd was contacted regarding this, but am unsure of the outcome of his meeting with the city. I can on speculate that he gave them a price and, hence, the plea for "concerned" citizens and businesses to help. Consulting was not out of the question when I was asked, but my gut feeling is that the city is not interested in spending any money on proper conservation of these artifacts (including the ex SAL cab parked behind the 209). Although the engine is a little rough, it is very restorable, assuming no major boiler problems are hiding under the jacket or inside the barrel. Even then, based on what we're doing to the 630, it doesn't scare me. This, especially when the engine was built fairly late - 1927 or 1928 as I recall off the top of my head. Better metallurgy by then would certainly be expected.

Just some random thoughts. BTW, my comments in no way express any official position of TVRM or its management, but are my own thoughts and opinions.

Mike

> I'm hoping that someone knowledgeable in
> locomotive restoration down there will try
> to help advise these people (whether they
> want it or not). We'd all like to see
> engines run again, but a proper cosmetic
> restoration would preserve the locomotive so
> it could be made to run at a later date.
> Without help and advise from someone who
> knows what he is doing, they will probably
> have unknowing contractors blast grit into
> the bearings and torch off/scrap whatever is
> needed to get at the lagging. Too many
> engines have suffered this fate needlessly.


Rebuilding Yesterday for Tomorrow
newriver400@cs.com

The 209 is a 2-10-0. The locomotive has already gone through one "cosmetic restoration". The locomotive was basted with an Iron Oxide media, it was not completely removed and then painted over. Most of the 209's appliances have sustained freeze damage in their main bodies.
The North Georgia chapter of the NRHS had been working with the city to take over the care of the loco and cars, don't really know what happened with that.

jasonsobczynski@yahoo.com

It seems as though the folks in Gainsville have been "casting about" to find someone to help. We got a call at Thronateeska Heritage Center, which was forwarded to me since I am heading up the cosmetic restoration of Georgia Northern 107. The lady I spoke with indicated they wanted to do it the right way, but as always, money was tight. I offered to drive up and meet with them (about 4hrs one way for me) to show what we are doing at Thronateeska, but never got a call back.


ssyfrett@bellsouth.net

After re-reading this posting, I can see that it might be confusing. So let me throw in some edits:

> I currently live in Marietta and can drive
> to Chattanooga in less than 90 minutes and
> it takes about 30-35 to get to Gainesville
> in little to no traffic. There is a 2-8-0
> undergoing an overhaul there. (Should have
> specified Chattanooga here.) And I made a
> presentation to the city of Gainesville in
> December regarding same. (GM 209) Apparently, >the "Knowledgeable Person" was at the
> council meeting. I must say I was
> disappointed at the luke warm concern about
> the condition and long-term preservation of
> the engine.

> Mike


Rebuilding Yesterday for Tomorrow
newriver400@cs.com