United States Army Q.M.C. 2-6-2T No. 1902 (5)
Fort Benning, GA, United States 		Location: National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center
Status: Display
Posted: Dec 11, 2014 @ 12:12:52 by John Walker
At the end of WWI there was a surplus of 24” narrow gauge equipment still in the United States waiting transport to the Western Front in France. Some of the Davenport steam locomotives were sold to construction companies, while the remainder was sent to Fort Benning GA, Fort Sill OK, and Oahu in the Hawaiian Territories. When the land for Fort Benning was acquired in 1919 there were few improved roads to move troops and equipment to and from the training areas. Hence, a line was built from Maine Post where the enlisted soldiers were barracked east towards Harmony Church and Sand Hill. The line ultimately terminated at the rural hamlet of Ochillie Creek where the Central of Georgia and Seaboard Air Line railroad lines pass south towards Albany, GA. The line survived until 1945 when it was shut down, rail pulled up and most of the equipment sold to Central American businesses. One locomotive and an Officer’s Coach was preserved and put on display across from the old Post Catholic Church till around 1966 when it was moved to the old Infantry Museum off of Dixie Road, then move again when the museum relocated to the old Post Hospital off of Baltzell Avenue. The locomotive and coach have been moved to the current Infantry Museum on Benning Road, restored and put back on public display. The photo shown is at the old Post Hospital most likely in the 1990’s .