Display Track & Caboose X153

July 25, 2005

Display Track

Thronateeska owns approximately 570 feet of display railroad track adjacent to the west side of the passenger platform north of the depot. The southern 75 feet was rebuilt in 1980 when the steam locomotive arrived at the depot. Otherwise, it had seen no maintenance for 35 or more years. The track was completely rebuilt in March 2001 using 285 new crossties, new spikes and new ballast. Only the original rail was reused. About 275 feet of the track are now covered by the new transportation exhibit shed on the south end. Restoration of the equipment was funded through Dougherty County's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

Southern Railway Bay-Window Caboose X401
(As Georgia Northern X153)

Built for Southern Railway by Gantt Manufacturing in June 1969. Caboose X401 was donated to Thronateeska by Norfolk Southern Corp. in about 1989. Due to previous modifications, X401 was restored externally as a ?stand in? for a similar car acquired by the Georgia Northern in the mid-1950s. X153 was the first project undertaken with SPLOST IV funds, with exterior work completed in April 2001.

Georgia Northern 107

July 25, 2005

107 in 1955

107 in 2005

Georgia Northern Railway Steam Locomotive 107

Built by American Locomotive Company (Schenectady, NY Works) in May 1911 for the Florida East Coast as their No. 88. FEC No. 88 was acquired by the Georgia Northern Railway, based in Moultrie, Georgia, in late 1930 and renumbered 107. The engine was donated to the City of Albany in early 1957 and placed on display in Tift Park where it remained until donated to Thronateeska. It was moved to the depot in December 1980. It is currently undergoing a detailed cosmetic restoration to return the locomotive to its 1930 appearance.

Southern Baggage Car & ACL RPO

January 1, 2005

Southern Railway Baggage/Express 518

Built in 1939 by Bethlehem Steel for Southern Railway, No. 518 was the first piece of railroad rolling stock donated to the museum, arriving in March 1977. An HO-scale model train layout currently occupies the 70-foot car interior, which is heated and cooled. The car?s exterior has been restored to its 1939 as-delivered paint scheme of solid Pullman green with metallic gold stenciling.

Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Railway Post Office 13

Built in 1915 by American Car & Foundry as ACL 700, it was one of four Class F-9 Mail-Baggage cars. The car was rebuilt in 1953 as a full RPO, receiving the streamlined full-length, square-ended ?turtleback? roof. It came to Thronateeska in about 1979 and is currently empty. It is being restored to its 1953 appearance as RPO 13, including the stunning ACL royal purple and silver paint scheme.

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