Equipment and Rolling Stock
Porter 2-4-2
We are the proud owners of a rare 1920 Columbia-type Porter steam locomotive. This beautiful piece of railroad history is built on a 2-4-2 chassis. (Most locomotives from Porter were a smaller 0-2-0 design.)
This particular model was originally owned by Mr. William Elliott Dunwady, owner of the Cherokee Brick Company in Macon, GA. The daily work involved moving a train of six cars from the clay pit to the brick foundry. The relatively small task made this locomotive a good fit for the needs of the company until it was retired.
In 1964, Mr. Walter, former president of the National Railroad and Historical Society (NRHS), purchased the engine from the Cherokee Brick Company. Mr. Walter rebuilt the locomotive and repurposed it for recreational use. The little engine provided hundreds of excursion rides for the South Carolina Chapter of the NRHS.
After retiring from duties in South Carolina, the locomotive came under the care of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. However, the locomotive lack of power and track speed made it less suitable for the needs of the museum.
Thus, in 1979, the newly formed Cowan Railroad Museum purchased the locomotive and had it delivered to Cowan by railroad. As a permanent display that catches the attention of hundreds of people every week, our beloved Porter helps is remember the age of steam and steel!
Come and visit this rare and beautiful piece of railroad history and technology!
This particular model was originally owned by Mr. William Elliott Dunwady, owner of the Cherokee Brick Company in Macon, GA. The daily work involved moving a train of six cars from the clay pit to the brick foundry. The relatively small task made this locomotive a good fit for the needs of the company until it was retired.
In 1964, Mr. Walter, former president of the National Railroad and Historical Society (NRHS), purchased the engine from the Cherokee Brick Company. Mr. Walter rebuilt the locomotive and repurposed it for recreational use. The little engine provided hundreds of excursion rides for the South Carolina Chapter of the NRHS.
After retiring from duties in South Carolina, the locomotive came under the care of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga. However, the locomotive lack of power and track speed made it less suitable for the needs of the museum.
Thus, in 1979, the newly formed Cowan Railroad Museum purchased the locomotive and had it delivered to Cowan by railroad. As a permanent display that catches the attention of hundreds of people every week, our beloved Porter helps is remember the age of steam and steel!
Come and visit this rare and beautiful piece of railroad history and technology!
Flat Car
Coupled to our handsome locomotive is a another rare piece: an elderly fifty-foot flat car! The thick wooden slats and heavy iron frame sit atop 1940 vintage Bettendorf trucks with solid bearings (as opposed to modern-style roller bearings). Although we are unsure of the exact vintage of this particular piece, it is dearly loved by museum visitors as they watch trains roll by on the CSX mainline.
The flat car famously served as the music stage for Cowan's enormous Homecoming '86 Celebration.
The flat car famously served as the music stage for Cowan's enormous Homecoming '86 Celebration.
Caboose
Coupled to the rear of our short consist is an antique bay window caboose. This beloved piece started life in 1910 as a box car owned by the NC&St.L Railway. In 1943, and after millions of miles of service, a rail equipment shop in Nashville converted the tired old box car into a caboose. We assume that the conversion was the meet the enormous traffic demands that WWII placed on the nation's rail system.
While operating under NC&St.L, the caboose was known as Number 143. At the end of the war, the NC&St.L Railway came under the direct oversight of the L&N Railroad. Subsequently, the caboose was reassigned to the Radnor Work Train number 42335.
We don't know specific year that the caboose was retired from service; however, it was donated to Cowan Railroad Museum and delivered to the museum grounds in 1980. Local legend held that this caboose was once used as the rolling office for the father of Sarah Cannon - one of Tennessee's most famous historical figures (better known by her stage name "Minnie Pearl").
While operating under NC&St.L, the caboose was known as Number 143. At the end of the war, the NC&St.L Railway came under the direct oversight of the L&N Railroad. Subsequently, the caboose was reassigned to the Radnor Work Train number 42335.
We don't know specific year that the caboose was retired from service; however, it was donated to Cowan Railroad Museum and delivered to the museum grounds in 1980. Local legend held that this caboose was once used as the rolling office for the father of Sarah Cannon - one of Tennessee's most famous historical figures (better known by her stage name "Minnie Pearl").
44-ton diesel-electric
We gratefully received a 44-ton switch locomotive in the Year 2007 that contains a remarkable "first" in locomotive technology.
This 1950 vintage General Electric model is the oldest of only four that were built. It is also the oldest locomotive in the world featuring remote radio control, which was installed in 1962.
This unit was served as NC&St.L Number 100 and was used primarily in the Huntsville, Alabama area until its retirement. Besides featuring primitive transistorized electronics, the unit also features two Caterpillar 17.5 liter diesel V-8 engines rated at 190 horsepower each and that independently drive two electric motors.
This 1950 vintage General Electric model is the oldest of only four that were built. It is also the oldest locomotive in the world featuring remote radio control, which was installed in 1962.
This unit was served as NC&St.L Number 100 and was used primarily in the Huntsville, Alabama area until its retirement. Besides featuring primitive transistorized electronics, the unit also features two Caterpillar 17.5 liter diesel V-8 engines rated at 190 horsepower each and that independently drive two electric motors.
Fairmont Motor Cars
Kids especially love our Fairmont Motor Cars. Built in the 1950's to carry maintenance of way crew members, these two vehicles were restored to their original livery. Each one was powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke gasoline engine. The unique hit-and-miss sound these engines are why they are often called "putt-putts".
The engine connects to the axle through a belt drive and clutch. Interestingly, the engine is designed to run both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Doing so allows the operator to change direction without the need for separate reverse drive hardware.
The engine connects to the axle through a belt drive and clutch. Interestingly, the engine is designed to run both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Doing so allows the operator to change direction without the need for separate reverse drive hardware.
