I'm a university junior (former homeschooler) who has grown up going to Freedom Park to see the locomotive pictured above. Please read my petition to learn more about what I'm asking Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation to do to preserve a piece of railroad history. 

Summary

The Gainesville Midland No. 301 is a 104-year-old steam engine (train) located at Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC. The train is a part of American Railroad history and needs the protection of Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation to preserve that history.

Each steam locomotive has a unique character and history that should be respected. The issue I've noticed is that for many years, ever since No. 301 was put on display at Freedom Park, the train has been in poor condition. It is starting to show its age caused by being exposed to the elements and corrosion from the weather.

Another issue is that I've seen people (mostly teenagers and children) that have been climbing on top of the locomotive over the fences, even though the painted sign on the tender and outside of the right cab says "No climbing allowed". I've also noticed that when looking at the train in media from recent years to now, it's been painted black entirely; an idea I believe is to protect the locomotive from deteriorating any further.

My idea is to ask the park service to have the locomotive displayed under a newly installed metal roof structure to protect it from the outside weather and the elements. Another idea is to have the locomotive painted into the traditional "Gainesville Midland" paint scheme that the locomotive had used back in its service years on the railroad. And, because the locomotive was built in 1920, it means that it turned 100 in 2020; and I thought this would be the best way to celebrate a locomotive that's now more than a century old in a city park.

It's not just about keeping the engine safe, it's also about keeping other people safe and off the locomotive, just in case they fall off and have a serious injury.

History

Gainesville Midland No. 301 is a Class 71 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in 1920 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Gainesville Midland as a member of the 71 "Consolidation" class. It is currently on static display outside at Freedom Park in Charlotte, North Carolina where it resides today next to the children's playground.

Class 71 numbered 71 through 74 was a group of four steam locomotives constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1920 for the Charlotte Harbor & Northern, a railroad that operates among small towns on the west coast of Florida where the engines were delivered to serve the region. Despite the name "Charlotte", the company had nothing to do with The Queen City. While on the roster, No. 301 as we know it today, was originally numbered 72. In 1928, the Seaboard Air Line railroad acquired the Charlotte Harbor & Northern eight years after the consolidation locomotives of class 71 were introduced, and the locomotive's road numbers changed to No. 929-932; No. 72 becoming No. 930. They continued to serve the Seaboard Air Line for twenty-three years afterward.

After serving the region for thirty-one years, the locomotives on the roster were again acquired by another railroad, the Gainesville Midland, in 1951. While in service for the Gainesville Midland, locomotive No. 930 again had its road number changed, renumbered to No. 301, and served between Gainesville and Athens, Georgia. Eight years later, No. 301 was phased out by the roster in favor of newer diesel engines in 1959. After being phased out of service, the railroad eventually donated the locomotive as a gift to the Queen City of Charlotte, after its long-time career of servicing three Southeastern railroads for thirty-nine years. It currently resides on display at Freedom Park today ever since it arrived.

On Display

Back when the locomotive arrived at Freedom Park, it was renamed and painted "The Freedom Park Express". The children were allowed to run around, walk, and even climb aboard the train. It wasn't long after that there were incidents of children falling off the engine. To make sure this train is safely used by the public, the train has since been surrounded by black metal fences. A bridge has been installed from the playground to the locomotive for access to walk inside the cab of the locomotive.