Steam locomotive delivery to Red Bay delayed, arrives July 1
July 1 – or thereabouts – a 1923 restored steam locomotive engine and tinder will be delivered to the Red Bay Railroad Park in Red Bay, Ala. The exact time is not known. The Red Bay Museum and the City of Red Bay have worked together to establish a Railroad Park in Red Bay, directly across from the Red Bay Museum.
A caboose was donated to the museum, which started the idea of establishing a park. It was then decided to move the original wooden water tower still standing from the early 1900s to the park. The tower was used to supply water to the steam locomotive engines that came through town. Bob Tiffin, former owner of Tiffin Motorhomes, has long wanted a steam locomotive, and one was found in Mt. Union, Penn., that had been stored in a warehouse for around 67 years. He purchased the locomotive, and the restoration has taken more than two years.
The locomotive was built in March 1923 and built for East Broad Top (EBT) by Baldwyn and is a coal-fired steam engine.
Third #3 was the last steam locomotive bought by the EBT and also the most powerful. She acted as the primary switcher in Mount Union, yielding to #6 only when she required servicing. She was also the last locomotive to run in common carrier operation, moving the last of the PRR cars to their interchange. She has been on the Mount Union Engine house since 1956 and has succumbed to some damage as a result of the roof leaking.
Local people are upset about the locomotive and tinder leaving their town, since they think it is part of their local history, although no one has offered to repair or restore it in more than 66 years. Security will have to be provided when it is moved in Pennsylvania. When it is delivered to Red Bay, the streets will be blocked off and at least two large cranes will be on hand to unload the locomotive and tinder.
