Steam & Excursion > Big Spring Tx, almost the end

The attached picture of Texas & Pacific's Big Spring, Tx. yard was shot from the air sometime in the late 1940's or early 1950, exact date unknown.  At first look it appears steam is gone but take a close look in the bottom of the 200,000 gallon water tank where a 2-10-2 sits.  Supposedly they were all retired in 1949.  They had gained fame on the T&P being good hump engines in Ft Worth and handling long cuts of cars in other yards. .  I assume the 3 tank cars behind it contain bunker C fuel oil.  More than likely the engine is being kept in reserve for yard switching as only  one diesel switcher is shown in the photo, a NW-2 (delivered in 1947) with 3 cars in tow  Normally there were two switch engines in Big Spring..  And, there is no evidence of other steam engines in the terminal.  Officially steam died in Big Spring in June 1950 with the arrival of more F-7's.  Steam had already been restricted west of Big Spring.  In August of 1950 though, there were two surprise steam trips, one a 4-8-2 on a passenger train and a 4-6-2 with 3 coaches sent to Midland Tx for a special occasion.  They would be the last steam there.

Out of sight at top left is the ice plant for servicing reefers and the depot and yard office  mid top .   The icing platform is shown in the background  in picture 3 made in 1949 by Fred Springer.   The depot is show in picture 2.  The yard contained 13 tracks in addition to the locomotive and car shop.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/15 16:40 by tomstp.

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What have you done to 1522?  Blasphemy!

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> What have you done to 1522?  Blasphemy!

Geez Don, what a difference a paint job makes...

   Cheers, Dave