bc45 (Bart Cook) asked about a Lionel issued moded of the 610 Lima/built Texas 2-10-4.
While looking for the above requested info, I was interested to find that the #610 was stored not serviceable at the Texas State RR at Palestine,Tx. I remembered that this engine had be fully restored and operated as one of the American Freedom Train Engines (1976-?).
After the AFT THE 610 ran in the excursion service of the Southern Rwy in the Southeast and East til about '81. Recently there was some news IIRC that there were financial issues with the Texas State Museum.
Does anyone have any information as to what is going on at that Museum?
Which I think still had some rail operations for Freight (?) and Tourist Ops.
Since there are supposedly no large, major NYC RR locomotives still around, due to their scrapping activities, due to thin finances.
The very fact that the NYC Mohawk 3001, by whatever means escaped the torch, ( was for a time on display oin Dallas,Tx as the T&PRR 909). When, and why was it movd back to Elkhart, Indiana? Is it still there? Has anyone any idas as to its’ future, if still there? What is its’ condition?
I know there are are members up in that area. Anyone have any information as to what is going on with what might be the last of the NYC RR’s power still exitant. Mohawk 3001?
Here is a link to a web site on MP RR equipment: http://www.mopac.org/pic_locos.asp
[:)] 3001 is indeed still in Elkhart, at the NYC RR Museum. However I don’t know what the future plans for the engine are
Rob
Rob: Thanks for the response.
What is the overall condition of 3001? Is it under cover, behind a fence, or out in the open unfenced?
Is there any railfan group responsible for the engine, within the context of the museum?
Again, I appreciate your information! [8D]
#610 is still at the Texas State RR. It is in the engine house in Palestine. I saw it a couple of years ago. Every once in a while they pull it outside so people can see it. It isn’t operable but it is in relatively good condition and wouldn’t take a whole lot of effort to make it road worthy again. The problem is the engine is so large and heavy that the light rail and tight curves on their 26 mile line just aren’t up to the task of having 610 run over it. The railroad was sold by the state a couple of years ago and is now run by the same company that runs the Durango and Silverton. For a long time they had only 1 steam engine running but now 2 are operable with another being rebuilt. They still usually only run 1 at a time while the other train running is an old Alco diesel. In February they had 2 steam engines run at the same time and meet in the middle for the first time in several years. They also still do photo specials and school field trip specials leaving from Rusk going to Maydelle then getting turned on the turntable. This last year a 1/8 scale (1-1/2" to the foot) live steam railroad was even set up around the Palestine Depot. The railroad is doing better now than it has in a long time. It’s biggest disadvantage is it’s location. It is over 2 hours from Dallas and 3 from Houston. The DFW area has a working steam engine running from Grapevine to Ft Worth and the Austin Steam Train association is currently getting their steam engine back together. That is 2 major cities that have excursion trains with the closest city to the Texas State RR having a working steam engine. People still get to the Texas State RR but there are always more people riding the Austin and Dallas trains. I hope they keep the RR open for a long time to come. I went there as a kid, go back as an adult, and hope to take my kids there someday. When I have them of course.
Thanks, Fred!
Found this one on YouTube : T&P 610 running from Meridian, Ms to Irondale, Al ( Birmingham area)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnrBAM5r-w&feature=related (this 1 of a series of 3) Photography is kinda sucky, but they are over thirty years old, I guess we’re lucky they ar still around!
and this one of 610 being pulled out of the storage bldg by #300 at Texas State RR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3c7Pr-98gI&feature=related
Thought you might enjoy these