Train crews ran 110 down the three-mile Cliffside Railway serving the town of Cliffside, N.C., near Charlotte. From its beginnings in the early 1900s, it hauled supplies for town residents from nearby junctions, sent finished products to connecting railways and brought in raw materials to Cliffside Mills, the South’s largest gingham textile plant.  The train carried passengers in and out of Cliffside and even picked up school children on their way back to the schoolhouse during its mid-day run into Cliffside.

Restoration of the historic steam engine is being done now so it can operate on the 4-mile main line used by the railway for public ride days, generally held the first Sunday of each month beginning in April and running through the end of the year. The restoration effort will take five to seven years and cost an estimated $350,000 to $600,000, which will be funded exclusively through the generosity of members and donors.

Please make your donation now to preserve this piece of North Carolina railway history and so you, your children and grandchildren can come to the NHVR railroad yard and take a ride on Old Puffer in the near future.

Read more in a news release distributed on Feb. 7.

The New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR)brings historic steam locomotive, Cliffside Railroad 110, home to North Carolina after more than 60 years. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association recently gifted this treasured engine to NHVR, located in Bonsal, N.C.

Read more in a news release distributed on Feb. 7.

Please consider making a donation using the button below to preserve this piece of North Carolina railroad history so you, your children, and grandchildren can experience the joy of riding the rails behind steam locomotives in the future.