For a few years back in the mid-to-latter 1980s, there was a fledgling tourist railroad operation that ran a short excursion train behind a small 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive named Lady. The venue was in an industrial park at a place called Port Bienville in Mississippi. The excursion ran between a designated track in the park out to the interchange track a mile or so away by the CSX (former L&N) mainline. There was a short run-around there that allowed the locomotive to get to the other end of the train for its return.

The owner/engineer for the steamer was Mr. J.R. Phillips. He was a kind, older gentleman and he enjoyed showing off his locomotive to anyone who had an interest. On one of several visits to the operation, I brought my young son and daughter. This paid an unexpected benefit, as not only did we get to tour the cab of the locomotive, but also scored a short ride as she ambled through the park. J.R. even allowed my daughter Julie to blow the whistle a couple times, something she did with enthusiasm.

The #203 was a product of the Baldwin Locomotive Co. of Philadelphia, and was built in 1925. She went to the Washington & Lincolnton Railroad, a Georgia shortline. She later went to the Rockton & Rion in South Carolina. While there, she went into storage for quite a few years. In the 1980s she was acquired by others and ran excursions in Florida, and in Mississippi, one of those here in Port Bienville. A few years later, the group had to move, and she and all the rolling stock were relocated to Meridian, Miss. Nothing happened while there, so another move brought her to the Columbia and Silver Creek Railroad, also in Mississippi, where it was hoped that excursions would again run. Unfortunately that didn’t pan out either.

In 1995 the Gulf & Ohio Railways purchased the locomotive and began the task of rebuilding her for the Three Rivers Rambler, another excursion train. She seems to be doing well these days hauling folks between Knoxville, Tenn. and the Tennessee River. You can see her on their website: The Three Rivers Rambler.

Unfortunately I don’t recall the name of the photographer of this image.