Made by Baldwin Locomotive works in 1913, this engine was one of twenty-five identical locomotives ordered by the Atlantic Coastline Railroad in 1913. Because of their six driving wheels and their four leading wheels they were referred to as “Ten Wheelers”. They were also referred to as “Copperheads” due to the brightly polished crown of copper at the crest of the engine stack. The locomotives home terminal was in Florence, South Carolina running freight and passenger service. Soon after the Atlantic Coastline took the engine out of service in 1952, it was offered to the Virginia and Carolina Southern, a subsidiary in Lumberton, North Carolina. In the mid 1950s it went to the Carolina Railroad then in 1958 it was returned to Florence, South Carolina. The Historical Commission of Florence saved and restored the engine to commemorate the cities long connection with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. By the 1970s the engine was deteriorating and the city of Florence donated it to the North Carolina Transportation Museum. It was cosmetically restored in 1966 and is currently on display at the museum in Spencer, North Carolina. |
