Southern Railway 401 debut September 18-19

JG290 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:20 pm

Les Beckman wrote:

I got to thinking (a very dangerous thing for me!) that with the wonderful restoration of 401, she needs a genuine steam era Southern caboose to go with her. I know that there are quite a few Southern cabooses preserved, but most of these I think are steel bay window cabooses that are from the post-steam era. What I was thinking was a genuine Southern Railway wood cupola caboose. I know that there are a few out there, but maybe none are available. Anybody know for sure? I am sure the boys at MRM are rolling their eyes about now. "Like we don't have enough to do!"

Les

The Southeastern Railway Museum has one of the mentioned wood cabs. But better yet, someone needs to find one of the Southern's first bay windows. They were built in the late 30s early 40s and had round roof edges. The later cars, like most all the cars in museums, have squared edges, among other details.

401 would also look great with a string of green Southern coaches.

Jason Greene
Lawrenceville, GA

SR6900 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:35 pm

There's a nice Southern woodie in Elizabethton by the NARC 0-6-0F and an old ET boxcar...

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=369096
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=369092

SteveRG · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:28 am **Posts:** 270

Is it me or does she resemble ex-Southern 2-8-0 #385 (ex-MCCRR) which awaits restoration in Whippany NJ? Well, minus the larger stack...
Same wheel type, any relation?

Afboone · **Posted:** Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:39 am

Steve, they are sisters.

bdowning · **Joined:** Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:23 pm **Posts:** 8

Since some reading this thread might be interested, we are planning on running 401 again October 16 and 17, 2010. This is the last planned steam run for the 2010 operating season at MRM. Ticket prices for these days will be $12.00 adult, $11.00 senior, and $9.00 child to offset the much higher operating cost of steam.

We are still developing a schedule and fares for steam in 2011.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Here are some photos I took of the 401 during and after loading for its trip to Illinois in Margerum AL in 1968.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Photos of loading Southern 401 in margerum AL in 1968

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Photos of loading of Southern 401 in Margerum AL in 1968.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Photo of loading Southern 401 at Margerum AL in 1968

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Loading of Southern 401 at Margerum AL in 1968.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Loading Southern 401 at Margerum AL in 1968.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Loading up Southern Railway 401 at Margerum Al in 1968.

Steamster · **Joined:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:05 am **Posts:** 9

Photo of Southern Railway 401 loaded on a flat car outside Louisville KY in 1968.

Steve Freer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:24 pm **Posts:** 380

Whoa, great pics from 1968. I'd like to hear more of the story of how/why #401 was in Alabama and how it came about heading to Illinois. Edit: Here is part of the story ~ http://steamlocomotive.info/vownership.cfm?display=448

DBH · **Posted:** Wed Nov 10, 2010 2:30 pm

How cool are those shots of loading a steam locomotive with two steam wreckers. Bet you won't see that happening again any time soon!

Dave Huffman