A GP7 locomotive, acquired from the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad—a family-owned North Carolina short line established in 1892—is now part of the collection at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The locomotive, which was donated by the railroad, is expected to arrive at the museum in Spencer, N.C., soon.
Purchased new by A&R in 1951, GP7 205 is a prime example of a first-generation EMD. The engine was never sold or leased, and spent its entire working career running between Aberdeen and Fayetteville.
“This donation represents far more than the transfer of a locomotive—it is the preservation of a living chapter of North Carolina’s railroading story,” museum officials wrote. “The museum is deeply grateful to the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad for entrusting us with this important piece of their heritage. GP7 205 will stand as a testament to the A&R’s legacy and to the enduring impact of short line railroads on the economic and cultural fabric of North Carolina.”
—Justin Franz
