The Southern Pine Locomotive Company (SPLCo) has announced that it acquired Temple Lumber Company #20 and the former AT&SF depot in Pineland, Texas. Both historical articfacts will be moved to their new location in Rusk, Texas.
The 2-8-2 #20 was built by Baldwin in 1930 and was owned by the Temple Lumber Company. In 1985 it was donated to the city of Pineland, Texas, and was placed on display in Katherine Sage Temple Park. The locomotive resided next to a former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot, which as also been acquired by SPLCo.
The new home for the depot and #20 will be in Rusk, Texas, on the site of the former Cotten Belt Railroad yard. The land has been cleared and track work has started in preparation to move the locomotive. #20 is planned to be moved by the end of 2025. After it has arrived in Rusk, #20 will undergo stabilization and a mechanical evaluation to see if an operational restoration is possible.
The Southern Pine Locomotive Company is a newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to preserve the railroad history of East Texas Piney Woods. The name pays homage to the Southern Pine Lumber Company railroad which operated in the area. Two steam engines from the line are preserved; #28, a 1917 Baldwin 2-8-0 is operational (but out-of-service) at the Texas State Railroad, and #13, a 1920 Baldwin 4-6-0 is on display at The History Center in Diboll, Texas.
Image from the Southern Pine Locomotive Company Instagram page
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