Last used by the Rockton & Rion quarry railroad in South Carolina, it later went on to short-lived excursion operations in Florida and Mississippi, and has operated in recent years on the Three Rivers Rambler train out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Can't remember its history before the R&R, perhaps someone else does. This photo, Meridian, Mississippi, January 1988.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-m/miss-s203amh.jpg

The museum in Mississippi that owned this engine moved from the Gulf Coast area to Meridian, MS before it ceased to exist. That little 2-8-0 actually moved the museum's rolling stock on the CSX (ex-L&N) mainline under its own power at 15 mph!

Somehow, the railroad name Washington & Lincolnton rings a faint bell in my memory in regards to this engine. I don't know if that helps answer your question about its origins.

The loco was built for the Washington & Lincolnton and that is how it is now restored.I seem to recall reading that W&L sent the engine back to the factory and it was stored there for years until bought by R&R.The reason it did not find a happy buyer is that it was just too light.I also have heard it has less overall miles on it than any steam locomotive built in America. WBIR TV 10's Heartland Series did three 5 minute stories about the locomotive when it debuted on the Three Rivers Rambler at Knoxville.Go to www.wbir.com and look in Heartland Series and you may find the episodes for sale on video or dvd.

The 203 was stored in a building on the Rockton & Rion for 44 years. Among her distinctions, she was never owned by a Class I railroad, was purchased new by a short line (Washington & Lincolnton) and has always operated in the south. The Three Rivers Rambler begins its season in a couple of weeks, two trips daily on Saturday and Sunday.