Train - Locomotive - Laurel and Tullahoma Western Railway Locomotive L-TW 61 1947 - Side by Side
by Mike Savad
Title
Train - Locomotive - Laurel and Tullahoma Western Railway Locomotive L-TW 61 1947 - Side by Side
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Hand Colored Photo
Description
Hand colored photo from 1947
Original title: Laurel and Tullahoma Western Railway: Locomotive L&TW 61
Photographer: Unknown
Location: Laurel, Mississippi
The name of the railroad was the Laurel & Tallahoma Western Railway. Tallahoma Creek runs generally north to south, just west of Laurel, Mississippi.
The mill and railroad operations shut down in 1937. The railroad never carried freight. In fact, the section from Laurel to Taylorsville was sold to the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad back in 1899, and under the terms of that agreement, only logs and camp supplies for Eastman, Gardiner & Co. were permitted.
George and Silas Gardiner, born eight years apart, were brothers. Their brother-in-law, Lauren Eastman, was also part of the company.
The original purchase of the Kamper & Lewin mill in 1891 included 27,240 acres. Over the next 40 years, the company expanded its holdings to more than 200,000 acres.
Color notes:
I couldn't find anything about this exact locomotive, other than its type, then based the colors off the different versions I saw. I have no idea where this thing was located or if that building still exists, or why they shot this image, as the train was made around 20 years before this image was shot. Being how clean and shiny things are, it could have been a restoration.
I wanted an interesting sky, on the tender on the right, I see what looks like a sun low in the sky, so I assumed it had to be dawn or dusk, though the shadows seem to be going in different directions in some areas, its a bit confusing. But I think the extra color adds drama.
Uploaded
April 6th, 2025
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