| Atlanta and West Point 290 | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Lima Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 7008 |
| Build date | 1926 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| UIC classification | 2'C1'h2P |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter |
33 in (0.838 m) |
| Driver diameter | 74 in (1.880 m) |
| Trailing wheel diameter |
43 in (1.092 m) |
| Length | 72 ft 5 in (22.07 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 192,500 lb (87.3 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 303,500 lb (137.7 t) |
| Locomotive & tender combined weight |
504,000 lb (228.6 t) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 27 × 28 in (686 × 711 mm) |
| Valve gear | Baker |
| Career | Atlanta and West Point Railroad |
| Class | P-74 |
| Number in class | 1st of 2 |
| Number | 290 |
| Retired | 1954 (revenue) 1992 (excursion) |
| Current owner | Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society |
| Disposition | Undergoing cosmetic restoration at the Southeastern Railway Museum |
Atlanta and West Point 290 is a steam locomotive built in 1926 by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Atlanta and West Point Railroad. The engine is a 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific type steam locomotive, remarkably similar to Southern Railway's Ps-4s class. With sister locomotive No. 190 built for the Western Railway of Alabama, 290 pulled the Crescent passenger service from Atlanta, GA, to Montgomery, Alabama, until her retirement from revenue service in 1954.
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290 entered service for the West Point Route in 1926 pulling the Crescent from Atlanta to Montgomery, Alabama.
When she was taken out of service in 1954, fans of 290 established the "290 Club" that succeeded in persuading the Atlanta and West Point Railroad to preserve the locomotive rather than sell her for scrap. 290 remained on static display for several years before she was donated to the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1961.
In the late 1980s, the New Georgia Railroad, an Atlanta-based steam excursion railroad, had need for another locomotive and 290 was quickly restored. Under her own steam for the first time in 1989, 290 pulled regular excursions around Atlanta and made several longer excursions to nearby cities including a historic trip to Montgomery in 1992. In 1991, 290 was sent to the Norris Yard Steam Shop in Irondale, Alabama, for running gear maintenance to resolve hot-running bearings. Shortly thereafter, the New Georgia Railroad stopped running steam locomotives when the State of Georgia discontinued its funding. 290 operated for the last time under steam in 1992.
As of 2010, 290 is currently undergoing preservation at the Southeastern Railway Museum where it is hoped that renewed interest in steam excursions will result in her return to operational status.
A&WP 290 starred in the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes making numerous appearances. It has also been the subject of Pentrex's New Georgia Steam Excursions: A & WP #290, a film appealing to rail fans covering a ceremonial run between Atlanta to Montgomery over 290's home rails.