Steam & Excursion > Bright faces in the sun

The late even sun brightens the face of two of T&P's finest who await their next assignments in Shreveport, La. Note the new white extra flags on 658 while 629 makes do with dirty ones. It is Nov 1949 and all seems normal without a thought of these clean engines being retired in the next 21 months.


Years earlier # 668 charges fast with a long string of empty reefers on the way back to the SP in El Paso in 1937 as the head brakeman rides the top of the tender.

Finally the 664 sits forlornly in Mineola, Tx a crew and engine change town in east Texas in May 1952 The last 2-10-4 ran August 12, 1951. So it has been sitting there for some time as its paint is already flattened and the side rods have rusted. This engine was totally rebuilt in July 1948 so it did not run its economical life. Missing the eccentric and piston rods it will be only a matter of time before it is towed to Marshall for scraping. The last one #650 bit the torch in May 1953

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Interesting that the 664 has a white flag on it....

Has it surrendered to its fate?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/17 21:56 by nhiwwrr.

And that flag looks clean too. I thought about that when I posted the picture. Maybe someone did put it up there as a surrender flag.

How many of the 2-10-4s had disc drivers? Were they built with them?

The first photo is outstanding. Thanks for posting.

No, none built with disc drivers. In 1947-1948 nine engines rebuilt with them along with many other improvements essentially making new engines. One piece cast frame and cylinders, commonthwealth trailing trucks, disc drivers, new rods, roller bearings, Laird single cross head guides, and more.

Tomstp;

I really enjoy your T&P posts. #664 aside, it's obvious T&P took pride in the appearance of their locomotives.