A piece of Corbin history may soon be returning to the city through a cooperative effort by the Corbin Tourism Commission and city officials from Corbin and the City of Bainbridge, Ga.
L&N Railroad Engine 2132, one of three steam locomotives still in existence that operated in the Corbin area, is on display as part of the Bainbridge’s outdoor exhibit at the Earl May Boat Basin Park on the Flint River.
Built in 1922, the engine and it’s accompanying tender were eventually sold to Gulf Power Company in Florida. Upon its retirement from service, the engine was subjected to years of neglect before it was moved to Bainbridge.
Tourism Commission Chair Alan Onkst said tourism officials felt that the engine would make a great showpiece as part of the new and improve railroad museum, which is being developed in the old railroad depot.
Officials spoke with Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams, who then contacted Bainbridge city officials concerning the possibility of bringing the engine to Corbin.
“I don’t think they realized what they had,” Onkst said of Bainbridge officials. “I think once they realized what they had, they got to thinking about letting lose of it.
Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel said it remains to be seen whether the deal may involve the purchase of the engine, some type of trade, or, ideally, Bainbridge officials electing to gift the engine for the museum.
Kriebel said as part of the renovations to the railroad museum, work has been ongoing on acquiring a caboose and other train cars. Bainbridge officials may be willing to trade the engine for one of those other cars.
Kriebel said the boiler of the engine has been cut into, making it impossible to be returned to working condition. However, with a number of experienced volunteers from the CSX locomotive shop who have agreed to donate their personal time, the engine and tender will be returned to otherwise pristine condition.
Kriebel said talks are ongoing with CSX to lease or purchase property next to the depot to display the engine. In addition, a Pullman car has been donated by the railroad museum in Cincinnati, Ohio to be added to the display.
“We are working on a caboose and some other rail cars,” Kriebel said, adding that the goal is to have the display ready by early spring.
