[:(] The engine and tender is imprisioned in a 10ft. high fence to keep the vandals from destroying the set.All the gauges in the cab are smashed. The builder plates are ripped off, the headlight is gone , and rust is every where. Engine # 2355 is a Pacific Southern Pacific RR . The castings are dated from 1904 to 1912 . It is odd that the reversing gear is an Alco mfg. The fuel tender is oil & water, and is in just as bad of shape as the engine. anything that could be smashed or torn off is gone. Paint and lettering is fading slowly. However, the train still serves as a home for feral cats in the neighborhood. The sand under there is useful to them.I would hazard to guess the city could care less about what happens to the train, it’s just there. So sad that a piece of history has gone by the way.
Respectfully, Cannonball
it seems a movement is afoot to restore engine # 2355, at least somewhat. See the “SAVE OUR TRAIN! Because our children’s history is not disposable.” / “Save the Pioneer Park Train” website at: http://saveourtrain.com/index.htm It’s at 526 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ, Lat./ Long. coords.: N 33.41763 W 111.81920
Not far away - about 10 miles northwest “as the crow flies”, but maybe 15 miles following the N/S - E/W street grid - is the “McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park” in Scottsale, with Magma Arizona 2-6-0 No. 6 on display - see: http://therailroadpark.com/exhibits.htm it’s at: 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250, Lat./ Long. coords.: N 33.53776 W 111.92345
[tup] [:D] Paul; thank you forgathering all these facts. The old engine has quite a history.I was really surprised to see the engine and now the history. We were there last Sun. at great grand daughters 1st. b.day Leeanne didn’t care that I looked at the engine more than her, heh heh.My continuating search is still looking for or when or where the Y6bs.were scrapped at. In my young years in southern Ohio N&W 2179 and her close sisters were the most seen by me coming up from Portsmouth to Columbus then to Tidewater.
Respectfully, Cannonball Jim