i took the bryson city excursion yesterday had a great time. looks like the work on the new shop around bryson city is moving right along. does anyone know where some photos of gsmr early years can be found. i would like to find some pictures of the orginal equipment. the gp-9 i believe were from the up and bn. i believe the 1702 arrived around 1995 or so. i am not sure about the orginal open cars and coaches

Two ex-DL&W commuter trailers and an ex-Clinchfield heavyweight coach were sold in 1992 to the Heber Valley Railroad, to form the core of its current operation.

Craig Lacey

That loco would have been the 1751, former T&NO 420. The other GP9 was SP 8555 if memory serves (now 1755). Kyle railways had them for a while. Both of these locos were purchased by the GSMR in 2003 to replace the GP35s.

The GP7 locos (711 and 777) were both originally UP GP9s, sold to CNW without prime movers in the early 70's. They were sucked into the CNW rebuild program, given 567BC engines, and redesignated GP7s. The 711 still has its original GP9 plate on it, under a few layers of paint. It may show back up when it gets new paint. I would have to look at my notes, but I believe they were originally UP 214 and UP 218.

Ironically, the GSMR used to have a loco by the number of 200, also a UP GP9, but it was held by the UP until the last days of first gen diesel on the UP. After leaving UP it rejoined it's cousins at the GSMR, only to be later sold. It is now at a museum in Nobelsville IN, and operable last I know. At the time it was at the GSMR it had 12:64 gearing, at to date it is the only loco GSMR has ever owned that took four corn cars up Red Marble at one time. Even the GP35's were only good for three on a good day.

I've not ever seen much in the way of pictures of the early days, short of the few pictures at the office in Bryson City. I would be interested in seeing some as well.

Ryan

Somewhere in the rubble I should have pictures of the first two GP units. If I recall correctly they were sitting in Dillsboro. This was before the railroad began operation. There may be some other stuff there as well. I don't remember. When I get some time I will see if I can find anything.

John Bohon

are the gp-7 711 and 777 going to be repainted to match the 1751 and 1755 ? or are they going to be repainted in there orginal paint.

They will be repaited similar to the 1751/1755. Not sure when this will happen, although I hope it is next year. The font will be different, but the paint scheme will likley be the same.


Ryan

was anyone able to find any pictures of the original gp-9 the gsmr had i believe they were #1551 from the bn and #200 from the up

Former UP #200 (now I.T.M.Z. 200) is operable on the Indiana Transportation Museum line out of Noblesville. It was heading the train to Atlanta (IN) on September 30 with Nickel Plate #426 pulling us back (pull-pull). Number 200 is painted in solid darkish blue with yellow handrails, no road name on side, only reporting marks on the short hood. NKP 426 is painted in "pure" Nickel Plate black & yellow, all the way down to the N.Y.C. & St.L. markings.

And where might one find photographs of this construction work in Bryson?