Atlanta and West Point 290
| Atlanta and West Point 290 | |
|---|---|
|
A&WP 290 in Southeastern Railway Museum shops as of December 2009. | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Lima Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 7008 |
| Build date | 1926 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| UIC classification | 2′C1′ h2 |
| 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 and tender combined weight | 504,000 lb (228.6 t) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 27 in × 28 in (686 mm × 711 mm) |
| Valve gear | Baker |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | Atlanta and West Point Railroad |
| Class | P-74 |
| Number in class | 1st of 2 |
| Number(s) | 290 |
| Retired |
1954 (revenue) 1992 (excursion) |
| Restored | 1989 |
| 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, the 290 pulled the Crescent passenger train from Atlanta, Georgia, to Montgomery, Alabama, until the engine's retirement from revenue-producing service in 1954.
History
290 entered service for the West Point Route in 1926, pulling the Crescent from Atlanta, Georgia, to Montgomery, Alabama.
When she was taken out of service in 1954, fans of 290 established the "290 Club" which succeeded in persuading the Atlanta and West Point Railroad to preserve the locomotive rather than sell her for scrap. 290 remained on immobile display for several years before she was donated to the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1961.
Restoration
In the late 1980s, the New Georgia Railroad, an Atlanta-based steam excursion railroad, needed another locomotive and 290 was quickly restored. Under her own steam again for the first time in 1989, 290 pulled regular excursions in the Atlanta vicinity and made several longer excursions to other 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 work to resolve hot-running bearings. Shortly thereafter, the New Georgia Railroad stopped operating steam locomotives when the state government discontinued its funding. 290 operated for the last time under steam in 1992.
As of 2012, 290 was undergoing preservation at the Southeastern Railway Museum. As there were no plans for a complete operational overhaul of 290, she would probably be placed on display.
Pop culture
A&WP 290 starred in the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes, making numerous appearances. It also appeared in the 2006 film The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines.
The locomotive was the subject of Pentrex's New Georgia Steam Excursions: A&WP #290, a film appealing to rail fans covering a ceremonial run between Atlanta amd Montgomery over 290's home rails.
References
- Hanson, Robert (2007). The West Point Route: The Atlanta & West Point Rail Road and The Western Railway of Alabama. TLC Publishing. ISBN 0-9766201-4-6.
- Llanso, Steve; Duley, Richard. "Western Railway of Alabama / Georgia Railroad / Atlanta & West Point / West Point Route 4-6-2 "Pacific" Type Locomotives". SteamLocomotive.com.