Known as being a part of the “Great Locomotive Chase” during the Civil War, the Texas made its mark in history as Confederate soldiers drove the locomotive in reverse from Big Shanty (Kennesaw), Georgia towards Chattanooga, Tennessee in pursuit of Union soldiers who had stolen The General in an effort to ruin the Confederate railroad. The General only made it a few miles north of Ringgold, Georgia. These two locomotives are the last of the Western & Atlanta Railroad that was so critical to Atlanta’s existence.
Since 1927, the Texas was located deep underground in the basement of the Cyclorama Building in Grant Park. Long Engineering, Inc. prepared the excavation drawings that allowed the basement wall to be exposed, sawcut and removed, so the locomotive could be rolled out. It was lifted from the deep hole by a crane and transported to a facility in North Carolina for restoration. It will be showcased at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead upon its return.
More articles on the Texas can be found at the following links:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/famed-civil-war-engine-the-texas-on-the-move-again/nppp4/
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/21/us/civil-war-locomotive-texas-atlanta-cyclorama/
http://salisburypost.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=2005970&CategoryID=7199