Marlow Railroad Company

Marlow Railroad Company MRC was founded in 2024 to be an affordable and professional helping hand to your all railroad needs and beyond.

From painting, plumbing, fabrication, and full restorations we can help on your project or we know someone who can.

Boxcar Restoration Helps Tell One of America’s Most Important Civil Rights StoriesNot every railroad restoration project...
08/03/2026

Boxcar Restoration Helps Tell One of America’s Most Important Civil Rights Stories

Not every railroad restoration project is about preserving a piece of equipment—sometimes it’s about preserving the history that unfolded around it.

I’m honored to have completed the exterior restoration of The Scottsboro Boys Museum
‘s historic boxcar, helping transform it into a powerful educational exhibit that tells one of the most significant civil rights stories in American history.

Originally built for the Central of Georgia Railway as their number 4343, this boxcar was acquired by the Scottsboro Boys Museum in 2026. Because the Scottsboro Boys were freight hopping aboard a Southern Railway boxcar when the events of 1931 began, the museum wanted this car repainted into a historically accurate Southern Railway paint scheme to better represent the equipment involved and help visitors connect with the story in a more authentic way. I was proud to complete that transformation.

The Scottsboro Boys case remains one of the defining moments in the struggle for civil rights and equal justice under the law. In 1931, nine young Black teenagers were falsely accused of ra**ng 2 white women after riding a freight train through Alabama, leading to a series of trials that exposed the racial injustice and denial of due process that existed within the American legal system. The case ultimately led to landmark legal precedents concerning the right to effective legal counsel and fair jury selection, helping lay important groundwork for the modern civil rights movement.

Railroads were more than a means of transportation—they were often where history happened. Having a full-size Southern Railway boxcar allows visitors to step into the setting where this story began, creating a powerful connection that books and photographs alone cannot provide. It serves as a reminder that railroad history and American history are deeply intertwined.

I’m incredibly grateful to have played a small part in helping preserve this important story. Restoring this boxcar wasn’t simply about paint and lettering—it was about helping ensure that the story of the Scottsboro Boys continues to educate future generations and remind us why the pursuit of justice, equality, and civil rights remains so important today. The boxcar will be the main centerpiece of a new exhibit at the Scottsboro Boys Museum. You can see this historic boxcar yourself at the Scottsboro Boys Museum in Scottsboro Alabama.

This project shows how deep railroading is ingrained in our nations history and MRC is here to be “Railroading’s Helping Hand” by helping with projects just like this. Contact us today to see how MRC can help on your next railroad modern day or railroad preservation project.

Bringing a Southern Caboose Back to Life in Small-Town AppalachiaThe Marlow Railroad Company is proud to announce the co...
06/18/2026

Bringing a Southern Caboose Back to Life in Small-Town Appalachia

The Marlow Railroad Company is proud to announce the completion of the exterior restoration of the City of Jellico, Tennessee’s Southern Railway Bay Window Caboose X669, returning it to its historic in-service Southern Railway appearance.

Seeing the finished product today makes it easy to forget the countless hours of preparation that went into this project. Hours of needle scaling, wire wheeling, sanding, bodywork, priming, and painting transformed a weathered caboose into a piece of railroad history that the community can once again be proud of. Fresh white, red, and yellow paint brought the iconic Southern Railway bay window caboose appearance back to life for the first time in decades.

Historical accuracy was a major priority throughout this restoration. I spent many hours researching original Southern Railway lettering and numbering styles to ensure X669 would be as authentic as possible. Through the generosity and assistance of the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society, Tangent Scale Models—whose recent HO scale Southern Gantt caboose models feature exceptionally accurate artwork—and several other preservation partners, we were able to recreate lettering that closely matches the original Southern Railway fonts. This project is another reminder that collaboration within the railroad preservation community always produces the best results.

Like many pieces of preserved railroad equipment, X669 had endured decades of exposure and limited resources. Body corrosion, deteriorated windows, and multiple quick repaint jobs had left the caboose with peeling paint and a rough appearance. I understand that for many towns and museums, budget constraints often make the less expensive option the only practical choice. I’ve been in those same situations myself. Fortunately, thanks to grant funding provided by the East Tennessee Development District, the City of Jellico was able to undertake the comprehensive exterior restoration that this caboose deserved, and MRC was blessed to be selected for the project.

The majority of the work was completed by myself, with assistance from volunteers along the way, for which I am extremely grateful. Much of the old paint—measuring over 3/16-inch thick in some areas—had to be removed down to bare metal before body repairs could begin. Once the surface was properly prepared, fresh primer and paint were applied, followed by the installation of new Lexan window glazing. The result is a caboose that once again resembles the appearance it carried after being rebuilt by Southern Railway’s Hayne Shops in 1969.

Projects like X669 demonstrate the services that The Marlow Railroad Company can provide to the railroad community. Whether it’s historically accurate paint and lettering, custom paint design, window replacement, fabrication, interior restoration, mechanical services, or general railroad consulting, MRC is committed to being “Railroading’s Helping Hand.”

We are fully insured, mobile, experienced, and ready to assist with preservation projects of all sizes. And if a project falls outside our area of expertise, we can usually connect you with one of the many talented contractors and preservation professionals we have worked alongside throughout the industry.

I would like to extend my thanks to everyone in Jellico who were so helpful and friendly during this project; especially the crew at Bucks Hardware and the folks from the Jellico Library.

A special thanks also goes to friends and helpers ; Jacob Riley, Shane Passmore, Allison Passmore, Rama Ball, Cameron Nicholas, Vicki and Bill Payne, Cathy Vann, Gail Garrett, China Hackler, Mark Tidwell, and countless others for their friendship, help, and support.

All for the love of railroad preservation, now on to the next project.

The Marlow Railroad Company is here to help with your railroad projects.As we wrap up several major projects, MRC is ac...
06/01/2026

The Marlow Railroad Company is here to help with your railroad projects.

As we wrap up several major projects, MRC is actively seeking our next restoration opportunities. Since founding the Marlow Railroad Company, my goal has been simple: to serve as "Railroadings Helping Hand."

Preserving railroad history and keeping modern day freight rolling has been a lifelong passion of mine. Through years of volunteer work with preservation organizations, as well as professional experience as a railroad restoration specialist and foreman, I have seen firsthand both the challenges and rewards that come with keeping both railroad equipment and artifacts rolling.

Unfortunately, many important pieces of railroad history remain unrestored—or are lost entirely—because museums, historical societies, communities, and private owners often lack the resources, manpower, or specialized knowledge needed to complete these projects. That's where MRC comes in.

The Marlow Railroad Company was founded to provide professional, high-quality, and affordable restoration and mechanical services to the railroad industry. Our mission is to make preservation projects and general maintenance more attainable by offering services that are often significantly more cost-effective than those of larger contractors, while maintaining the quality and attention to detail that both historic and modern pieces deserve.

Fully insured and equipped, MRC offers a wide range of services including railroadiana restoration, equipment painting and lettering, window replacement, fabrication, mechanical repairs, and complete railcar and locomotive restoration projects. With our forte being the restoration of equipment back to its as built or in service appearance. And if a project falls outside our area of expertise, we maintain strong industry relationships and can help connect you with the right people.

If you're considering a project, we'd be honored to discuss how we can help. Estimates are always free, and we encourage you to explore our social media pages to see examples of our past work and ongoing projects.

When it's time to preserve railroad history or to keep the rails of tomorrow moving, choose Marlow Railroad Company.

Progress continues on Southern caboose X-669 today for the city of Jellico, TN.
04/23/2026

Progress continues on Southern caboose X-669 today for the city of Jellico, TN.

🛠️Current Project Highlight🎨My work to restore the city of Jellico, TN’s former Southern Railway Caboose X-669 is well u...
04/20/2026

🛠️Current Project Highlight🎨

My work to restore the city of Jellico, TN’s former Southern Railway Caboose X-669 is well underway as I continue to work to get a good smooth surface for the new paint. This is a very time consuming process especially since Ive been doing it almost all by myself (with the exception of help from good friend Rama Ball this past Thursday which I was very thankful for). So far I’ve been working to removing several layers of older cracked and peeling paint with some primer going on this past Friday. All this work is worth it to deliver a good finished product for this great little town.
This project is being funded by a grant from the State of Tennessee and the East Tennessee Development District with restoration work being performed by the Marlow Railroad Company. All for the love of trains and being “Railroad Preservation’s Helping Hand”

Ask and see how MRC can help on your next rail restoration project, from period era paint jobs, to full scale restorations we can help!

Washington & Lincolnton No. 203 “Lindy”The largest—and certainly most recognizable—restoration project I’ve had the priv...
04/20/2026

Washington & Lincolnton No. 203 “Lindy”
The largest—and certainly most recognizable—restoration project I’ve had the privilege to assist with since founding MRC.
In January 2025 I was asked by Gulf and Ohio Railways Heritage Equipment Team about helping continue the restoration of 203 which I happily said yes to. 203 holds a special connection to me as It was one of the first steam engines I ever rode behind as a child, and I grew up returning year after year to ride behind it on the . Being able to help bring it back to life was truly something special.
Aside from assisting with the move of Engine 107 just weeks earlier, I had never turned a wrench on a steam locomotive. Working on No. 203 changed that in a major way. Over the course of ten months, working primarily outdoors, often just myself and G&O heritage equipment manager Casey with occasional help from the G&O steam team and specialized contractors—took the locomotive from a stripped boiler and frame to an operational locomotive once again.
It would be impossible to list everything we accomplished, but the work ranged from replacing journal cellar pads to cutting out and installing new firebox sheet corners, boring valve cages, and countless other repairs. Every step was a learning experience, and helped create a great and reliable locomotive in the end.
The results spoke for themselves with No. 203 returned to service in 2025 pulling thousands of passengers on the Three Rivers Rambler Christmas Lantern Express—her first season back since 2015—without missing a single trip. She even covered days originally scheduled for diesel power.

This is just one of several preservation projects MRC has been honored to support. From routine maintenance to full-scale restorations, we are committed to preserving railroad history with craftsmanship and care. If a project falls outside our scope, I maintain a trusted network of professionals I confidently recommend.
When choosing a contractor for your rail preservation or restoration project, choose Marlow Railroad Company.

Where we’re going, we don’t need rails! Who has ever got too see a steam locomotive fly like the “Time Train” from Back...
04/20/2026

Where we’re going, we don’t need rails!
Who has ever got too see a steam locomotive fly like the “Time Train” from Back to the Future 3? We have, and we assisted in making it happen!
Before 2025, I had never turned a wrench on a steam locomotive. That changed when MRC was asked to assist Gulf & Ohio Railways with the relocation of Southern Railway/Smoky Mountain Railroad No. 107 — an 1887 Baldwin-built survivor.
After 67 years of service and decades on display in Pigeon Forge, TN being used as a billboard for Dollywood Amusement Park, No. 107 was carefully prepared for transport to Knoxville. Working with the G&O Team and Norvell Tech we assisted with removing side rods, crossheads, piping, and the smokestack to ensure safe movement before cranes from Blalock Equipment lifted the locomotive from its longtime resting place and sent it to its new home on the KXHR Railway in Knoxville.
Today, Engine 107 awaits evaluation and the possibility of restoration — a new chapter for this 139-year-old machine.
This is what preserving railroad history looks like.
If you need help with your next preservation or restoration project, MRC is here to help!

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Clinton, TN
37716

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