Duluth in Gwinnett County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Steam Locomotion at High Tide!
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 6, 2018
1. Steam Locomotion at High Tide! Marker
"Born of a railroad, Atlanta grew as its railroads grew."
Margaret Mitchell in "Gone With The Wind."
In March 1926, the 290, a Pacific type 4-6-2 steam passenger engine, was delivered to the Atlanta and West Point Rail Road Company by its builders, the Lima Locomotive Works. From 1926 until 1953, the 290 was used in main line passenger service on the Atlanta and West Point’s crack trains the “Crescent Limited” and the “Piedmont Limited” between Atlanta and Montgomery.
In 1957, a group of Atlanta citizens, headed by Leo Aikman, Atlanta Constitution columnist, and E. M. Ivie, retired railroad yard conductor, began a movement to preserve the 290 as a permanent monument to the apex of steam locomotion. As a result, in May 1958, the 290 was presented to the mayor William B. Hartsfield for the City of Atlanta by the Atlanta and West Point Rail Road Company through its president, J. Clyde Mixon.
In July 1958, the old No. 290’s engine, weighing 269,000 pounds, and tender, weighing 78,800 pounds, were moved from the nearest track, the Atlanta and West Point Rail Road Company’s belt line, down one and one-half miles of Pryor Street and through Lakewood Park to this site. The difficult engineering feat was performed voluntarily
this page online
Erected by the Atlanta Historical Society and the A. & W. P. 290 Club
Erected by Atlanta Historical Society and the A. & W. P. 290 Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1926.
Location. 33° 59.311′ N, 84° 9.325′ W. Marker is in Duluth, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. Marker can be reached from Unnamed road west of Peachtree Road. This marker was probably originally mounted outside near the 290 Steam Engine. It is now found in the Main Exhibit Hall at the Southern Railway Museum. It is behind an antique Checker Cab and an exhibit on 'Atlanta Scenes'. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth GA 30096, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Passenger Coach No. 3780 (here, next to this marker); Spreader #JX635 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The History of the Miniature Train Company (about 300 feet away); Home of Alice Harrell Strickland - Georgia's First Woman Mayor (approx. 1˝ miles away); Peachtree Road (approx.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 6, 2018
2. Steam Locomotion at High Tide! Marker
The marker can be seen here behind an antique taxi and the "Atlanta Scenes" exhibit at the Main Exhibit Hall at the Southeastern Railway Museum. To the right is the "Passenger Coach No. 3780" marker, mostly out of view behind the taxi.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 6, 2018
3. Steam Locomotion at High Tide! Marker detail
The top of the marker is inscribed with 'm 720'.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, January 6, 2018
4. A portion of the 290 awaiting restoration at the Southeastern Railway Museum
The locomotive itself, also undergoing restoration, was in an enclosed warehouse at the time of this visit.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
