Central of Georgia No. 509

Central of Georgia No. 509 is a 2-8-0 "consolidation" type that sits on static display in downtown Macon, Georgia.
== History ==
Built in 1906 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as one of 24 C-4 class locomotives for the Central of Georgia railway it was the fourth generation in the C class series that was delivered to CofG.
The locomotive was originally built under road number 1709 along with the other C-4 locomotives consisting of numbers from 1700 to 1724. It was then renumbered in 1925 to the current number of 509.
In 1959, CofG decided they would transfer 509 to the city of Macon. Before being transferred, 509 received a brand new wooden cow-catcher, a fresh coat of paint, and new stencils. In order to move the locomotive to the display area, which did not have direct rail access, temporary track was laid and part of brick wall was removed. On October 16, 1959, the locomotive was officially handed over to the City of Macon. Since then it has been sitting in Central City Park as a display along with other railroad monuments. Most of the other railroad monuments are no longer standing. One of the only ones left that are still standing today are locomotive 509 and an old CofG coaling tower.
As of today the locomotive sits on static display in downtown Macon, Georgia.
== Trivia ==
*509 was selected as one of the few engines to be kept for preservation by CofG.
*While some of the C-4 locomotives were used for switching, the others were operating between Macon, Athens, Gordon, Milledgeville, Machen, and Porterdale.
*Outside the display is a plaque in memory of Benny A. Scott. He was the locomotive's fireman for the last run of 509, and was also the railroad's first black fireman.
*Over the years, 509 has stayed in its place with little action.
*It was repainted in 1999 for a project on a children's television network, and decorated with what looked to be Christmas lights.
*The Right Way published an article in 2011 about 509 and discussed the complete restoration of the locomotive to fully operational condition by Hartwell Railroad Company in Bowersville, Georgia. The cost of the restoration was estimated to be around $450,000.
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Baldwin locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Eight-coupled locomotives
Category:2-8-0 steam locomotives
Category:2-8-0 locomotives
Category:Built in 1906
Category:American locomotives
Category:American steam locomotives
Category:United States
Category:Preserved locomotives
Category:Central of Georgia locomotives