Southern Railroad #722

[traintownofcowee]

I know Southern RR #722 is now owned to The Great Smoky Mountains Railway. But does anyone know when it's going to be ready for operating service? I mean, I live only 20 minutes away from where it's being rebuilt now but "It's off limits." If any employees who work there are on this discussion forum, give me some info on it.

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[Anonymous]

I don't work at GSMRR, but from what I understand #722's restoration has came to a near stand still.

When the contracted group that was restoring the loco took it apart, they found more problems than they anticipated, so things slowed down while they determined what to do. Somewhere along the line the GSMRR management had an argument with the contracted group, which resulted in the group walking off the job.

Right now the loco just sits around in pieces and waits for work to continue. (I think 1702 is out of service as well, so the RR is currently all-diesel)

722 was originally scheduled to be operating again by 2002, but here we are three years later and it still just laying around the shop in pieces. Very sad, as I was hoping the loco would be able to operate by it's 100th birthday last year.
:(

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=74646