09/24/2026
You probably already heard... but we pulled 819 out of the shops Tuesday... it was part of an inspection to identify what would be needed to return the locomotive to operation... our official statement (approved by the museum's board of directors) is...
The Museum has started a process of investigation, to understand what would be required to return Cotton Belt 819 to operation.
This early work includes gathering documents and drawings used during the 1980’s rehabilitation , and an inspection of the locomotive by Rail Dynamics Group, (https://raildynamicsgroup.com/) to establish its present condition, work required to return it to service, cost of that work, and informal discussions about how that would be accomplished. At this time there is no estimate for when any work might be started or completed.
A very preliminary budget has been created, which suggests the work required to return 819 to service could be less than one million dollars. This is substantially less than the four to five million dollars which is being spent on other “big” steam locomotives.
There have been very informal conversations with Union Pacific about the possibility of use of their tracks, most likely for ferry moves to other sites where excursions could be offered. We note that any excursions will require 12 or more passenger cars which the museum does not have.
Locomotive 819 was built in the Pine Bluff Shops of the Cotton Belt (St Louis Southwestern Railroad) in 1942/43, during World War II. The locomotive is listed on the National Register (listing 03000401) and has been designated as the official state locomotive.
Please join us in this effort… volunteer, send money… without your help this won’t happen.
