Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/947157
44 The 107 has a long, storied history at Gaston, including a humorous incident that wasn't so funny when it happened. Donny Davis, now a Fuels team leader at Gaston, operated the train, among other heavy equipment, in the late 1980s. The late Thomas "Turkey" Mooney, who was operating Engine 107 that particular day, asked Davis to hop on board and throw the switches to line up coal cars. "He was our most experienced operator and normally stayed in the cab," Davis recalled. "For some reason, he stepped out on the walkway to tell me which switches to throw." Suddenly, the train picked up speed. "He had to run back to the cab and use both brakes to slow the locomotive and stop it from running through the switch," Davis said. "He came back out with a surprised look on his face and said, 'We will never do that again.' I said, 'What's this we stuff? Do you have a mouse in your shirt pocket?'" The two employees became good friends thereaer, Davis said. Sean Martin, Gaston Fuels team leader, said the 107 was part of a historic plant that has impacted many lives in Shelby and surrounding counties. "This is an exciting opportunity to preserve a part of local history and share it with the community for years to come," Martin said. Cole said it was no small chore to load the 107 onto the railroad flatcar delivered by CSX Transportation from St. Louis. The move was a collective effort involving Gaston employees and contractors, Alabama Power Fleet Services, SCS Fuel Services and CSX. "APC Fleet Services was instrumental in arranging the cranes and manpower to load the locomotive onto the flatcar, taking much care in meeting all of CSX's rigorous requirements for securing the load to the car," Cole said. "The project could not have been a success without the support of Fleet Services." No. 107 joins a sister at the Heart of Dixie: freshly restored No. 40, a "fireless" steam locomotive that spent its career at Barry Steam Plant. It will be on exhibit in the near future. No. 97 undergoing restoration behind newly restored APC No. 40 at HDRM. No. 97 undergoing restoration behind newly restored APC No. 40 at HDRM.