From Moses to Jefferson, the most you could transport over land at one time was a wagonload. Even in the early 1800’s, the best mode of overland transportation was still by horse; George Washington couldn’t get across the land any faster than Julius Caesar- but Abraham Lincoln could, and what made that possible is the steam locomotive. The steam locomotive allowed people and goods to be moved for great distances at high speeds. It changed transit time from New York to California from six months to six days, thereby bringing us together as a nation. So it’s not just an obsolete piece of metal that we’ve restored. It’s an example of the machine that changed America.

For someone running shortlines in the South, Lindy is a very special engine. From the time she was delivered to the Washington & Lincolnton until today, this locomotive has never been outside of the South, and she has never been owned by a big railroad. 203 is the quintessential Southern shortline locomotive.

Besides that, she’s beautiful.

Pete Claussen, Chairman & CEO,
Gulf & Ohio Railways