Steam & Excursion > It had to have been great to hear and see

Looking for all the world like it is running like the   wind we see Weatherford, Mineral Wells & Northwestern laying a black pall of smoke over her train of 7 cars, the box cars  most likely loaded with brick.   The freight traffic on this short line first was coal,  general merchandise, and brick.  In Mineral Wells Tx there were 3 large brick plants that produced brick for the paving of highways in Texas. 

  More than likely the train   is making about 20 - 25 miles an hour and the Texas wind is doing the rest.  2-8-0   #5 has only 51" drivers.  With WMW&N being owned by the Texas & Pacific,   #5 would not make it to the end of steam as T&P 4-6-0's would be supplied rather than doing heavy work on #5. 

In the 1980's the line was sold to the City of Mineral Wells  but lasted only about another year before abandonment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/16 15:08 by tomstp.

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Thank you for the photo and history on a short line I never heard of before.