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Engine Information

 

Engine	Builder	Year built	Weight	Boiler pressure	Wheel arrangement
300	Balwin Locomotive Works	1917	83 tons	190 p.s.i.	2-8-0
Cylinder size	Tractive effort	Tender Capacity	Valve gear	Wheel diameter	Classification
21x28 in.	35,610 lbs.	Water: 6,500 gals. Oil: 2,400 gals.	Walschaert	56 in.	Consolidation

 

Engine 300 is one of two surviving United States Army “Pershing” engines. This type of engine was named after General “Blackjack” Pershing and built for service in Europe during World War One. Fortunately, this locomotive remained in the United States, primarily serving the Camp Polk Army Base in Leesville Louisiana.

 

This engine is a 2-8-0 type, meaning that it has two wheels in the front, eight drivers in the middle and no wheels at the rear of the engine. This wheel arrangement is commonly referred to as a “Consolidation”.

 

At the end of WWII the locomotive was acquired by the Tremont and Gulf Railroad, a Louisiana Short line. The T. & G. completely rebuilt the engine and renumbered it 28. The T. & G. sold number 28 to the Southern Pine Lumber Company, and East Texas short line operated by the Temple Lumber Company. After years of dedicated service, the company owner, Mr. Arthur Temple, donated the engine to the Texas State Railroad in 1973.

 

The engine was brought to the railroad in 1976. Boiler problems and budget restrains delayed restoration efforts until the late eighties when work began on obtaining a new boiler for the old war-horse. All running gear and appliances were completely reworked or replaced. After years of effort, engine 300 was put into active service on April 13, 1996 to commemorate the Texas State Railroad’s Centennial celebration. From her humble origins of hauling freight, lumber an munitions to her present occupation of  transporting tourist and rail fans of all ages, Engine 300 has done it all with style and grace.

 

Current Status: Down for 1472

 

 

Engine	Builder	Year built	Weight	Boiler pressure	Wheel arrangement
201	A.L. Cooke	1901	79 tons	200 p.s.i.	4-6-0
Cylinder size	Tractive effort	Tender Capacity	Valve gear	Wheel diameter	Classification
20x26 in.	28,000 lbs.	Water: 5,350 gals. Oil: 2,500 gals.	Stephenson	63 in.	Ten Wheeler

 

Engine number 201 is the oldest locomotive operated on the line. This engine was built in 1901 by the A.L. Cooke Locomotive Works for the Texas & Pacific Railway, and is the only operating T&P steam locomotive in existence. The engine was built for freight service and proudly wore the number 316 during its career with the Texas & Pacific.

 

Engine 201 is classified as a 4-6-0. This means that it has four wheels in the front, six drivers in the middle and no wheels in the rear of the engine. This type of locomotive is commonly referred to as a "ten wheeler."

 

In 1949, after years of hard service, the Texas & Pacific sold number 316 to the Paris & Mt. Pleasant Railroad, a T&P subsidiary. In 1951 the locomotive was saved from the scrapper's torch by a remarkable lady who wished to remain anonymous. She purchased the engine and, with the help from the T&P, donated it to the city of Abilene in honor of its seventy-fifth anniversary as a city.

 

The venerable ten wheeler remained on display in Abilene at the Oscar Rose Park for many years, wearing the number 75 to symbolize the seventy-fifth Jubilee Celebration of the City.

 

In 1974 the citizens of Abilene graciously donated the locomotive to the newly formed Texas State Railroad. After extensive repair and refurbishing, the engine was again rolling down the rails to thrill a new generation of train passengers.

 

The 201 was recently refurbished and unveiled during October 2006 and is currently used during steam excursions at the Texas State Railroad.

 

Current status: Operating

 

 

Engine	Builder	Year built	Weight	Locomotive Type	Wheel arrangement
7	ALCO	1947, rebuilt in 2005	120 tons	RS2	0-4-4-0
	Cylinders	Displacement	Horsepower	Wheel diameter	Engine Type
	12	3158 cu. in.	1,500	40 in.	New Caterpillar 2512 Diesel

 

Engine number 7 is the second oldest diesel locomotive operated on the Texas State Railroad. This engine was built in 1947 by the American Locomotive Company at their Schenectedy, New York, locomotive plant for the Point Comfort & Northern Railroad of Lolita, Texas.

 

The Point Comfort & Northern was owned and operated by Alcoa (Aluminum Company of America) and served their aluminum manufacturing plant at Point Comfort, Texas. This type of engine is representative of the first wave of diesel engines that started replacing steam locomotives immediately after the end of World War II.

 

This engine saw many miles of road service for the Point Comfort & Northern, carrying train load after train load of material all over the eastern part of Texas.

 

Finally, when the hardworking road switcher seemed to be heading toward the scrap heap, its career took an unexpected turn.

 

In 1975 the fledgling Texas State Railroad was looking for a diesel engine to provide backup service to its steam locomotives. The officials at Alco decided to donate the hardworking engine number 7 to the Texas State Railroad. This diesel is still a the Texas State Railroad to this day; pulling work trains, carloads of ballast and pulling passenger trains.