One of my favorite objects to photograph here in Louisiana is ex Crowell & Spencer Lumber Company Steam Locomotive #400. I just love to capture images of it. The old rusting locomotive just seems to speak to me. If a picture speaks a thousand words than this piece of railroad history talks to something deep down in my soul.
Looking into the heart of #400 is a double edged sword. One one hand it is somewhat thrilling to come across a vintage steam locomotive parked at the edge of a Louisiana forest, yet on the other it is very sad to think of what this machine used to be and observe it's present state.
In February of 1953 #400 hauled it's last load of logs to the nearby Crowell Long Leaf Lumber Company and was parked at this location. Here the locomotive has sat under the trees exposed to the harsh Louisiana weather for almost 70 years.
To be honest, #400 isn't exactly abandoned to be honest, even though it's original owner walked away from it, the locomotive is part of a collection of three vintage locomotives on the property of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum.
At this time the museum has plans to eventually restore all three to their past glory according to museum president Mike Miller. At this time museum volunteers have done amazing work in restoring Red River & Gulf 4-6-0 Locomotive #106 which pulled the railroad's last train in March of 1953. The locomotive is actually in great shape and according to Miller it could be fired up and move under its own power right now. Next up for restoration is Meridian Lumber Company 2-6-0 #202 which is presently stored in the old railroad machine shop. Mike also told me that the tender for the 202 is south of the museum on the old Red River trackage along with some vintage rolling stock. Once those two locomotives are restored they will begin to work on #400 even though the project will be difficult due to its state of decay and the money required.
It is my hope that this post can inspire rail fans across the country to send donations to the museum to aide in funding the restoration of these three vintage locomotives. Hopefully in the case of #400 before it decays beyond where it can be restored.
Check out my photos and see if this locomotive speaks to you in the same way as it does to me:
Note: We are actually lucky that #400 still exists because in 1955 the Crowell Long Leaf Lumber Company chopped up four other locomotives that were on their property. if you look in the foreground of the photograph above you can see the smokestack of one of them and to the right you can see more parts alongside the tracks.
I need to get back down to the Southern Forest Heritage Museum to check things out. It's been over a year since I last saw all the old railroad equipment over there. They also have a top-notch lumber mill museum for anybody who has never been there.
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