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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad No. 1702

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad #1702 is a 2-8-0 steam locomotive, built in September 1942 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, PA. Originally destined to be US Army Transportation Corp #1702, part of their S160 class of 2-8-0 Consolidations, which were also built by Lima & ALCO between 1942 and 1945. Originally intended for duty overseas in Great Britain, this locomotive was first equipped with Euro Link&Hook\L&H couplers. However, she never went overseas, and, instead, she worked at the US Military Base at Fort Bragg, NC, near Fayetteville. In 1946, #1702 was refitted with Janney\AARE couplers, and she was then sold to the Warren & Saline River Railroad in Arkansas. It was during her time on the W&SR that she was converted from a coal burner to an oil burner. She worked for the railroad until the railroad dieselized in 1961.

In 1964, she was sold to the Reader Railroad, a tourist line in Arkansas. While being restored at the Reader, #1702 was given a cosmetic upgrade using parts from the Union Pacific, Texas & Pacific, Kansas City Southern, Cotton Belt, and the National Railways of Mexico. Following her restoration, she entered service as the largest locomotive on the roster. Shortly thereafter, #1702 was given a brand new cab and tender off of Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 2-8-2 Mikado #2662. The 1702 had the honor of pulling the last regularly-scheduled mixed train in the United States until December 2nd, 1972 when the locomotive was put into storage.

In 1985, the locomotive was sold the Fremont & Elkhorn Valley Railroad, which leased a 17-mile section of track from the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. When the C&NW offered to sell the line to the little tourist railroad, the 1702 was sold to Mr. Don Smeal in order for the F&EV to buy the section of the line. Mr. Smeal leased the locomotive to the F&EV until he sold the locomotive to the Great Smoky Mountains Railway in 1991.

Following the sale to the GSMR, the locomotive's smokestack was increased in height, the cab widened, and the sandbox modified. All of this was done in an effort to make the locomotive look more “American”. The engine operated on the GSMR until 2004 when firebox issues sidelined her. The locomotive remained in (outdoor) storage, partially disassembled, in Dillsboro for some time. However, in April 2012, the GSMR received a $700,000 grant from the Swain County Board of Commissioners to restore #1702 to operating condition. The money would also go towards the construction of a new steam shop in Dillsboro and a brand new turntable in Bryson City. Restoration work began in July 2014, and it was completed by July 21st, 2016. #1702 returned to the GSMR's active roster on July 26th, 2016.

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