AIKR GP30u no. 4202 is suspended on the long hood end while the crew replacing it's no. 3 traction motor pushes the assembled truck set back into place for the next step in the process.

Aiken Railway's GP30u no. 4202 is getting a new no. 3 traction motor. Here the contractors are removing the chains after lowering the truck set onto the new traction motor and wheel set.

Aiken Railway's GP30u no. 4202 is getting a new no. 3 traction motor. Here the crew is lowering the truck set back onto the new motor/wheelset.

Aiken Railway's local; Z52205 has just finished switching WR Grace & Co. and is seen here spotting the empties before climbing it's way back south towards Aiken.

All's quiet on a late Sunday afternoon as Aiken GP30 4202 waits for its next duty call. The Aiken GP30 was built as Santa Fe 1275 and later became BNSF 2473.

An Aiken Railway GP30 comes to a stop in the railroad's charming namesake town.

Spring is coming to South Carolina as an Aiken Railway train returns to its namesake town.

After serving two clay plants North of Aiken, the Aiken Railway returns to town after a thunderstorm had cooled temperatures. Steve Smedley photo

An Aiken Rwy. GP30 retrieves a cut of cars left by NS to take them to Aiken. I think the greens look classy on the lines of the GP30.

An Aiken Rwy. GP30 retrieves a cut of cars left by NS and takes them to Aiken. Here, they pass an old textile mill similar to the ones that permeated the Carolina's "back in the day".

While the city of Aiken and their local shortline sleep, mother nature's fury is out in full force.

It's hard to believe, but it'll soon be one year since AIKR 4202 was being tested on parent company road Greenville & Western before being shipped to it's new home rails in Aiken, SC.

A new shortline rose from the rust in 2012.

AIKR's leased power reflects in a mud puddle during downtime.

AIKR's GP30 basking in the snow.