Stone Mountain Scenic owns two historically important steam locomotives one of which is the last 4-4-0 to operate on the SP system. Does anyone know the current status or future plans for these engines? The two 4-4-0's that Stone Mountain "operates" have, as nearly everyone knows, suffered corny backdating in appearance and are pushed around their route dead by a concealed diesel pusher, last I heard. As artifacts they deserve much better.

runner@i-55.com

To the best of my knowledge, Stone Mountain Scenic doesn't push these around the loop anymore. They have even shut down their F's. Currently they are using some GPs. When the Dollywood folks took over the operation of the park rumors began circulating about restoration of one of their steam locomotives. However the rumors have not been substantiated.

Dale

> Stone Mountain Scenic owns two historically
> important steam locomotives one of which is
> the last 4-4-0 to operate on the SP system.
> Does anyone know the current status or
> future plans for these engines? The two
> 4-4-0's that Stone Mountain
> "operates" have, as nearly
> everyone knows, suffered corny backdating in
> appearance and are pushed around their route
> dead by a concealed diesel pusher, last I
> heard. As artifacts they deserve much
> better.


dgrice@motorola.com

A shame. Too bad the State of La gave its entire rail preservation effort money to that Algiers Mike, rather than funding Long Leaf and returning the former Red River and Gulf 4-4-0 to home turf to run.

lorija799@aol.com

Last time I was there to hike the mountain a few years ago, I stopped by the main depot and viewed the cold ex-Cliffside 2-6-2. She was sitting there in fair shape with some kids beating on her. Shame she's not in steam or at least under a cover. Jim

Wrinnbo@aol.com

Since the State of Georgia subcontracted park operation on contract to outside contractors, there is little chance of any funds being spent on any but the necessities. I would like very much to see the steam locomotives back in service - but they were highly depreciated in park service and suffered some questionable retrofits as well. It would take some considerable work to get them back in service again.

Georgia Parks and Rec (I think) is now starting a railroad for economic development from Cordele to Americus with unimpressive rolling stock. Given the unspecial scenery and few low level attractions along the line, steam may find a home there. At least then there would be a reason to ride.

That might be a fine place to run the steamers the state already owns.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

The history of the ill-fated Paulesn Spence collection was reviewed here about a month ago. THe Stone Mountain Scenic has been described by at least one prominent steam expert as the equivalent of "the river Styx" for steam locomotives. What is worse that the offensive backdating, is the fact that being pushed around in an endless circle by a "B" unit has no doubt worn the two 4-4-0's cylinders and running gear to a frazzle. Without interior cylinder lubrication and hot oil, these engines may be worn to the point of no return. If you check the photo of one of them as a Louisianna Eastern loco, they sported a glossy black paint scheme and tasteful pin-striping. One even had a saw-tooth stack.

glueck@saturn.caps.maine.edu

So this 4-4-0 in Georgia is one of the Red River and Gulf engines from central Louisiana?

adofmsu@aol.com

> So this 4-4-0 in Georgia is one of the Red
> River and Gulf engines from central
> Louisiana?

My old records show that one engine is originally San Antonio & Aransas Pass #60 bought by Texas & New Orleans (SP)#220 renumbered to 260, in steam on SP in 1954. Class E-40, a pretty big piston valve 4-4-0. By the way, this engine was built in 1922, one year after the 2-8-2 in New Orleans (745).

The other 4-4-0 was indeed a Red River & Gulf engine, built in 1919 and smaller than the T&NO engine.

A surprise revealed by my old Koenigsberg directory was that Stone Mountain owned a third 4-4-0, an engine built for Savannah & Western and owned by Central of Georgia and the Talbotton Railroad. Somehow it escaped to private ownership and is now owned and displayed by TVRM. Wish the T&NO engine had made it over the fence as well.


runner@i-55.com

> A surprise revealed by my old Koenigsberg
> directory was that Stone Mountain owned a
> third 4-4-0, an engine built for Savannah
> & Western and owned by Central of
> Georgia and the Talbotton Railroad. Somehow
> it escaped to private ownership and is now
> owned and displayed by TVRM. Wish the
> T&NO engine had made it over the fence
> as well.

Yeah but that one went way up north instead of south where it belongs.

Dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

It's a shame the cold ex-Cliffside 2-6-2 is not in the Spencer collection where the engine could be interpreted properly and preserved. Have you folks tried negiotiating with the owners to return her home?

K.R. Bell

> Last time I was there to hike the mountain a
> few years ago, I stopped by the main depot
> and viewed the cold ex-Cliffside 2-6-2. She
> was sitting there in fair shape with some
> kids beating on her. Shame she's not in
> steam or at least under a cover. Jim

> Yeah but that one went way up north instead
> of south where it belongs.

> Dave

And since when is Tenn. "up north"???

hpincus@mindspring.com

> And since when is Tenn. "up
> north"???

Since Dave didn't get to it first ;-)

Shucks, Howard, those of us living in intown Atlanta (as opposed to the northern suburbs) refer to the town where the General currently resides as "Kennessee." Anything beyond Chamblee is classed as "Carolina."

JAC

When those of us in Maine head "south" for the winter, we're disappointed to find that it's no warmer in New Hampshire. 'Least the accents are different, with long southern drawl....

glueck@saturn.caps.maine.edu

> And since when is Tenn. "up
> north"???

At least we still speak with a Southern accent, or so Howard thinks.....

Mike

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
newriver400@cs.com

> At least we still speak with a Southern
> accent, or so Howard thinks.....

> Mike

Yes, yes, and those living in Boston or north of Boston seem to think of Connecticut as being someplace down around South Carolina!!

hpincus@mindspring.com