Hello there. It's me again. the Thomas the Tank Engine fan who thought "Spam Can" referred only to Diesel D199. Anyhow, I'm here to talk about an excursion star from Southern's old Steam Program, Southern 722. Her sister 630, is operational at TVRM, while 722 sits dismantled out in the open at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in my home and current state of residence of North Carolina. I've had it in the idea in the back of my mind to try and start some sort of "Fire Up" or "Friends of" campaign to try and restore the 722. considering how most of y'all canned me with my idea to build a new Y6-B, would a restoration of 722 be worth it?

Well, what can you tell us about the locomotive?

Back when it was announced that the restoration of #1702 was restarting the restoration and the installation of two turntables was well publicized. It was my understanding at the time that #722 was supposed to be next. I can't find the article to confirm if that was the actual announcement or just my assumption. There is certainly a great deal of interest in seeing the 722 run, and unlike a hypothetical new built, it has a home to stretch its wheels.

Of course it can be restored. Would be a ton of work though. Same questions go...
where will work be done? Are you trying to buy it ? Or just fund raise for GSMR?

It would need more work than 630 did at this point. Probably would end up being more new metal than old. It deserves better than rusting away in the weeds. Even if GSMR just put it back together, painted it and put it on display it would be win at this point.

722 is a good bit heavier than 1702.

I'd donate to that cause, as to me, it'll always be known as ET&WNC 208...

Currently their FAQ's page says there are no current plans to restore 722. http://www.gsmr.com/train-FAQ#what-kind ... ot-running

It's a good idea, but since the locomotive is owned by the line; any volunteer group would have to show they the financial backing to undertake such a project, and the GSMR does not have a good history of finding groups with such wherewithal. http://www.gsmr.com/about/news/letter-m ... rk0-ogbM_4

Could we actually confirm who owns 722? GSMR, the Asheville NRHS, or whom?

Everything I can find online including a post from here; indicates that GSMR bought 722 outright in 2000.
http://rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f= ... wrapheader

Pretty sure the city sold or donated it to GSMR. Pretty ridiculous to donate something then it basically be abandoned.

Wayyyyy more work than restoring 1702

Glad I got to ride it back in 1979 on what I believe was it's only off-NS excursion on the Reading & Northern branch. Photo taken at Pocopson, PA. I know, the passenger green isn't "authentic", but it sure looked nice.

Southern 722 was built by The Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1904 Being used on the Southern's Murphy Branch until it's inevitable retirement in November 1952. The Locomotive was then purchased by the ET&WNC "Tweetsie" Railroad and was renumbered 208 until Southern bought them back in exchange for 2 RS-3's. The Locomotive was then retired from excursion service in 1985 due to her boiler ticket expiring, and was then shuttled around from display site to display site until eventually ending up in the hands of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad where it's sat dismantled since.
sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Railway_722

I'd say trying to buy it, hopefully the GSMR would be able to sell it to me at a cheap price.

I'd say trying to buy it, hopefully the GSMR would be able to sell it to me at a cheap price.

I'm a Tweetsie Fan myself, thanks to this old girl:
but if I do manage to form a trust, I'll probably keep 722 in her Southern colors.

I am a fan of that green.