Discovery Park of America's 1913 Locomotive Undergoes Major Restoration

UNION CITY, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Park of America has completed a major restoration of its historic 1913 steam locomotive, No. 1149, and passenger cars, made possible by funding from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. The work on the locomotive was performed by Baynum Solutions, which specializes in restoring historic assets, amusement attractions and industrial structures with a focus on precision and long-term preservation. The total project budget exceeded $500,000.

No. 1149's history is as remarkable as the machine itself. Built in Sweden in 1913, the locomotive was part of the Swedish State Railways' celebrated B-class, known for speed, reliability and graceful lines. In its prime, it hauled express passenger trains through Sweden's rolling countryside and dense forests, carrying business travelers, schoolchildren, soldiers and tourists. At that time, steam power was the heartbeat of the nation's transportation network, and No. 1149 was one of its proud workhorses.

Decades later, during the Cold War, the locomotive was placed in underground caves as part of Sweden's strategic reserve, kept ready to run if oil prices soared or supply lines were threatened. In 1995, Maine telecommunications pioneer Bert Clifford brought it across the Atlantic to operate on his Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad. The locomotive later joined the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, but the high cost of restoration kept it sidelined until 2013, when Robert Kirkland purchased No. 1149 and brought it to Discovery Park of America.

"No. 1149 is more than steel and paint — it's a tangible link to the golden age of steam," said Jennifer Wildes, senior director of collections and exhibits at Discovery Park. "Its century-long journey from Scandinavian rails to Maine's pine country to West Tennessee is a story worth preserving, and this restoration ensures it will be here for generations to come."

Baynum Solutions' work included stripping away years of wear, repairing metal, replacing damaged wood in the cab and restoring every surface inside and out. Vapor blasting removed rust while minimizing dust, and nearly 300 gallons of industrial-grade coating was applied to match the locomotive's original 1913 color scheme. The project also included roof restoration on Discovery Park's three 1960s-era passenger cars.

Guests at Discovery Park will now be able to experience the locomotive much as it looked when it rolled out of Swedish workshops more than 110 years ago. "This project represents our commitment to caring for every artifact in our collection to the highest standards," Wildes said. "When guests see No. 1149 after this transformation, they'll be experiencing history brought vividly back to life."

A restoration recap video is available on Discovery Park's YouTube channel.

About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

SOURCE Discovery Park of America