Locomotive, log car leaving Stephen F. Austin University for Michigan and Louisiana

[TexasTowelie]

The Shay locomotive on the Stephen F. Austin State University Campus will soon be leaving for a new home in Michigan.
Josh Edwards/The Daily Sentinel


NACOGDOCHES -- The iconic train on Raguet Street soon will be pulling out of Nacogdoches for the final time.

Moving operations will begin Wednesday, Oct. 6, for the 36-ton Shay locomotive outside Stephen F. Austin State University’s Forestry Building.

Following its transport to Harbor Springs, Michigan, the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society and its partners will conduct much-needed renovations and display the locomotive where it will introduce visitors to the contributions of Ephraim Shay, inventor of the Shay locomotive and longtime Harbor Springs resident.

Built in October 1907 by the Lima Locomotive and Machine Works of Lima, Ohio, the two-truck Shay locomotive ferried countless loads of cut timber from East Texas forests to sawmills in Manning and Camden until the early 1920s.

After remaining idle for nearly half a century at a railroad siding facility in Camden, the locomotive, originally owned by W. T. Carter and Brother Lumber Company, was donated to SFA in 1970.

Read more: https://www.dailysentinel.com/social_media/article_681d4ba0-3bd3-57c9-ba1f-71a33c8ae293.html
(Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel)

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. Moscow, Camden & St Augustine Railroad

IS well known among railfans. It was one of the last common carriers to use steam locomotives (1965) and continued passenger service with an old wooden coach until July 1973.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I'm not very knowledgeable about the history of railroads,

but I thought someone might take interest in the article.

[Srkdqltr]

3. My husband is a retired boilermaker . in the 70s he worked on a locomotive for Greenfield Village

They were refurbishing it to run around the Village. He enjoyed seeing this one. Thanks for posting.

[TexasTowelie]

4. You're welcome and I'm glad that your husband was interested too.

I found it unusual that a university had ownership of a locomotive and log car. I'm also glad that SFA realized that they could not handle the financial burden so they found new homes for the locomotive and log car in locations where they will be appreciated and a bit of history is preserved.