Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 722
Dillsboro, NC, United States 		Location: Great Smokey Mountain Ry
Status: Restoration
Posted: Aug 18, 2023 @ 11:08:15 by Steve Frost, European Editor
The company was The Southern RAILWAY! Not all US companies took the title "Railroad" and the Southern was one that did not. Take a look at their herald. Please check your facts before adding comments.
Posted: May 20, 2023 @ 01:05:26 by Matthew Lapp
The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad announced that they will restore 722 back to operation and they hope to have it operational as early as 2026.
Posted: May 19, 2023 @ 20:05:50 by Keiji Muramoto
Today (Friday, May 19th, 2023), the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad announced via its Facebook page that it has begun an extensive rebuild of Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 722 to operation. According to the press statement, No. 722 will be converted to an oil burner and retain its green livery from the Southern Steam Program days with an estimated completion date of 2026.
Posted: Sep 5, 2014 @ 10:09:29 by
this engine WILL be restored to operating condition after 1702 is finished. this engine and its partner have recieved 750,000 dollars in agreement funds
Posted: Sep 15, 2012 @ 10:09:41 by dl moore
talked to a engineer for the railroad a cpl weeks ago he said no money for repairs on either steam engine. under the present conditions seems unlikely either engine will return to steam soon.
Posted: May 5, 2010 @ 09:05:24 by Chris
Went to the GSMR shops yester day, 722 and 1702 have both been torn down and are being rebulit. 1702 is supposed to be done first.
Posted: Dec 10, 2008 @ 22:12:01 by PK
This loco was leased in 1979 by the Wilmington & Western Railroad but it was found to be too heavy for the bridges on that line.
Posted: Oct 20, 2007 @ 20:10:43 by dan
I was working as train conductor the very day #722 went out of service. It was reported that water was pouring out from under the boiler. (yes I was a witness) I stoped working their that year and have wondered what happened to that loco. Glad it will run again. BTW: It also had a creaping throttle.
Posted: Mar 13, 2007 @ 11:03:53 by adam
just spoke to gsmrr director and 1702 will be in operation spring of 08 and 722 will be in operation late 09. those double headers will happen soon. he also told me that gsmrr will be an all steam railway in 2010 if all goes well.
Posted: Apr 13, 2006 @ 15:04:29 by Jim Kirchman

I wrote to the director of maintenance at GSMR back on 1/26/06 about the status of 722 and the railroad's plans in general.  This is part of his response:

"Unfortunately, the 722 has taken a back burner due to the 1702 work. The shop and turntable projects are progressing. We hope to finish engineering by the end of this year, and be in our new shop in Bryson City by the end of 2007.  I think we may actually get our turntable in Bryson installed about the same time.  Once we get the shop built, we will turn our attention to the 722."

So I would not expect to see 722 back on the rails until sometime in 2009.  It's going to be an interesting few years at GSMR for the next couple of years.  I think we will see some big changes for the better there.  Who knows?  Maybe 1702/722 double-headers will be a common site for the 2009 season!

 

Posted: Feb 28, 2005 @ 21:02:56 by Seth Howell
I visited The G.
Posted: Sep 21, 2004 @ 20:09:06 by Bart
Double headers would be nice! However #722 is sitting in pieces in the yard rusting away so dont get your hopes up.
Posted: Jun 26, 2004 @ 15:06:10 by Kyle Jonathan Chang
Southern Railway conolidition #722 might be convereted to burn oil like #1702. Once 722 is running again there are plans to run double headings with 1702.
Posted: Oct 3, 2003 @ 24:10:16 by Bart
#722 remains in the GSMRR yard.
Posted: Oct 3, 2003 @ 24:10:46 by Bart
Posted: Dec 2, 2002 @ 09:12:53 by John Higginson
came to GSMR December 2000