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Roger Puta Great Smoky Mountain Railroad has a projected date for early 2026 Debut and entry back into service for the Southern Railway Engine 722, pictured above.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR), owned and operated by American Heritage Railways (AHR), is proud to announce the rebuild of historic Southern Railway Steam Locomotive 722.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad successfully relaunched its steam program in 2015 with the rebuild of Locomotive 1702. Much of GSMR’s ridership growth since the rebuild is due to the popularity of traveling the historic train route through the natural beauty of Western North Carolina behind a steam locomotive. Steam-powered excursion trains are extremely rare with fewer than 150 operating steam locomotives in the United States. GSMR’s parent company, American Heritage Railways, is committed to the preservation of history - a passion of owners, the Harper Family. AHR is committed to rebuilding steam locomotives for historic preservation and the enjoyment of future generations.
Built in 1904, the 722 is a 2-8-0 Consolidation-type locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia.
Originally built to haul freight, the locomotive historically operated on the Southern Railway’s Murphy Branch Line between Asheville and Murphy until it was replaced by modern diesel engines in the early 1950s. 722 was sold in 1952 to the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad where it ran as a switcher in Johnson City, TN.
Southern Railway reacquired the locomotive in 1967 where the engine was instrumental in building the Southern Railway’s steam program. GSMR acquired 722 in December 2000 from the Norfolk Southern Corporation.
Known as a Ks-1 type engine, this 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotive was modified by the Southern Railway in the 1920s. 722 is known for it’s iconic green paint scheme which GSMR plans to continue. 722 will undergo a conversion from coal to oil burner during the rebuild process, like 1702.
The restoration process is anticipated to be completed in early 2026, transporting GSMR passengers down the very line it traveled nearly 100 years ago. Once completed, it will be the only former Southern Railway locomotive still operating on it’s original line. It will also be the largest engine in the GSMR fleet, even bigger than the beloved 1702.
Updates on the restoration process will be shared at GSMR.com and through the railroad’s social media channels. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad looks forward to sharing this piece of history with visitors for years to come.