***On the rainy morning of October 21, 1989, we're on the former Central of Georgia outside of Toccoa GA to chase (then) newly restored A&WP P-74 Pacific 290 on her 1st trip over the former CofG from Atlanta to Hawk Mountain GA & return. Soon, at the Chattanooga River Crossing, we caught the 290 & her 12 car train cruising along at track speed, heading for Hawk Mountain. The West Point Pacific was only a month into her excursion career, but was making a name for, not just herself, but for the New Georgia Railroad. Since being restored, the Atlanta Steam Star had been hauling excursions throughout the State of Georgia on both NS & CSX Tracks. The locomotive also replaced the former New Georgia Steam Star, S&A Ex-FEC Pacific 750. Unfortunately, the 290's Excursion Career, would be short lived, as after the 1992 Steam Season, the State cut funding for the New Georgia Railroad, thus rendering the operation, lifeless. There were plans to get the locomotive ready for the 1994 NRHS Convention in Atlanta, but this was never to be. The train would arrive in Hawk Mountain, that afternoon, where the consist would be turned & serviced. Today, the locomotive is undergoing a cosmetic restoration at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth GA.***

Steam on the former CofG - Late October 1989 (Revamped)