Desk it! By the way, Mr. Durden, the museum's website still needs to be updated. In paticular, the Steam Locomotives page of the Exhibits section needs to be updated to include info about RR&G 104. Also, that page describes the "Maud" engine as being originally built as a 4-6-0, but one of the museum's members is saying that is inaccurate, rather, it was always a 0-4-4. You may want to have the website people address these.

Earlier this year, there was a lot of chatter about Silver Dollar wanting to return steam to the park... Has there been any movement?

I would not look for any real moves by Silver Dollar City.
They are going to do their level best to stall on anything that costs them money. This certainly includes steam restoration.
Heck, they cannot even keep the diesels in decent shape... and you are expecting steam?

On another, much happier note, the Duluth depot was moved to the grounds of the Southeastern Ry Museum about 2 weeks ago.
Work is proceeding toward a new foundation for the depot.
It sure looked good sitting there last weekend during the museum's annual picnic.

Kevin

Yeah, Kevin...I am not expecting anything give how poorly they maintain the railroad today. I was just curious if the rumors had any substance to them...

On side note, would you guys happen to know what the deal is with the lumber yard next to the museum? Me and my dad were at the museum yesterday, and as we left, dad noticed the lumber yard looks like it's been shut down...

OK...for $5 million dollars they could have bought multiple steam locomotives or refurbished the ones they already have on property:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2008/10/14/stone_mountain_park_snow.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

...and all of this for just 3 months worth of the attraction being open!

REALLY?!?!?

Oh, and not to mention that million-dollar rope-climbing attraction! The mountain has this kind of money? They could have went and got the steamers running and make the park a very interesting and unique experience. But NOOO, they just want to blow it off on some cheesey, amusement park-type attractions and ones that, if the weather isn't perfect, will just go down the drain, quite literally!

What's the damage so far? Well haven't been there for a year, but I'd like to list 5 things that have been... well, of concern for me! Let's see...

1. Last year when I visited, and this was a month after the General II had been placed on display in its new home, the spiel on the train still talked about the General II! I guess I wouldn't have really expected them to change it, but it sure makes a difference since the engine is no longer there!

2. I recently noticed the depot at the Confederate Hall is gone, and there's just a platform there!

3. Likewise, the stop at the petting farm/wildlife preserve is gone without a trace! With SDC's management, I'm not surprised! Not that I ever really cared to get off there, but it's just one of those things I've noticed.

4. You no longer get tickets for the train at the Memorial Depot, you get that at the Crossroads entrance. Not a big deal, but kinda makes the depot feel less like a depot, and the train more like a park ride!

5. Are they ever gonna hook those crossing signals back up? If they don't intend to use them, they may as well just downgrade them to mere signs!

Maybe I'm thinking a little too much on the subject, but I can't help myself!
Ironically, having one of the steamers gone makes visiting the park and riding the train somewhat more bearable for me!

When I last visited the museum, I believe they said that the General II is missing its pistons or some other components from inside the cylinders. They were removed so as not to further damage the engine since the Mountain was going to push the engine. That's going to further complicate restoration to operation!

It's my understanding that the "General II" is strictly for display. The museum has no intentions to restore it to operation. But I am sure Kevin can clarify for us...