Dixiana was built on October 12, 1912, at the Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio for the Alaculsy Lumber Company of Conasauga, Tennessee; it was their second locomotive to carry number 3.[2] It hauled lumber trains in the mountains of Southeastern Tennessee and Northern Georgia. In 1917, No. 3 was transferred to the Tennga Lumber Company,[2] the successor to Alaculsy, retaining its number. In March 1919, it was sold to the Southern Iron & Equipment Company,[2] and became their No. 1466. It hauled metal at their Atlanta, Georgia plant. In August of that year, it was sold to the W. M. Ritter Lumber Company in Proctor, North Carolina, and converted to from standard gauge to 3ft (914mm) gauge. It returned to its previous number,[2] becoming their second No. 3. The locomotive later moved to W.M. Ritter's McClure, Virginia operation.[2] In 1938, the locomotive was sold to Coal Processing Corporation and carried both the No. 3 and later No. 2593 in Dixiana, Virginia.[2]
By the mid-1950s, the locomotive was retired from service and left in Dixiana.
Roaring Camp Railroad
Dixiana at Sawmill Siding collecting its cars in 2008
Dixiana was restored to operation and converted to burn bunker oil instead of coal to prevent trackside fires.[4] It was named "Dixiana" after its last industrial home.[4] A new H. Belfield & Co. 3-chime whistle was installed during the restoration.
The restoration was completed on April 6, 1963, when Dixiana pulled its first passenger train at Roaring Camp.[5]
Dixiana lacked a builder's plate until a replica was fitted in 2020.
