Steam & Excursion > SP 4449 and T&P 610 in Austin -- Feb 76

(1-3) Exciting times in Texas as the 4449 arrived in Austin with the Freedom Train.
T&P 610 - just restored - arrived light on the Missouri Pacific from San Antonio and would take the train to Houston. It was the first time 610 had operated in 25 years (it had a break-in run a couple weeks before).
610 took over the train in a side by side ceremony with the 4449.

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(4-6) The engines split up with the 610 connecting to the Freedom Train consist.
There used to be more tracks in the street here. The MKT and I&GN stations sat along this area at one time.
4449 would run light to Ft.Worth.
The 610 looked and sounded great. What a job the group restoring it did at the Ft.Worth stockyards - all done outside.
The 610 would take the Freedom Train to Houston then to Ft.Worth where the 4449 would pick it up again.

Here are a few shots I took of the 610 on its way to Houston --

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2871995,2871995#msg-2871995
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,4087093,4087097#msg-4087097

Gary

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Dumb question. Where is the 610 now? Thanks
Steve

GREAT pictures of the AFT!!!! Have you considered providing them to Todd at the Freedom Train web site? The AFT exhibit at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center is quite popular with our visitors....including the credit to a fellow by the name of Johnny Cash for the idea......... Arlen

wpjones Wrote:
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> Dumb question. Where is the 610 now? Thanks
> Steve


It is stored at the Texas State Railroad - I believe in Palestine,Tx.
Gary

"Trains and Railroads of the Past" magazine had a blurb on this event in their 3rd quarter 2016 issue.

Doyle and Richard Jensen.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/18 16:09 by bodkin6071.

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The 610 is stored on the Texas State RR in a nice metal building at the Palestine end. It gets pulled out on special occasions. It's getting a bit shabby now days. At least it's under cover. It is too big to operate on the TSR.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/18 17:52 by jfrank39.

Very historic photos indeed!
I too would urge you to share them with Todd!
SR

I somehow missed seeing the two side by side- it was probably a very brief encounter.
Most likely we (operations crew) were busy getting the AFT ready to open for display. I’d have been inside the display cars for a couple of hours and missed the engine swap.

Gary, thank you for sharing these great slides ! I was in college in those days on a very tight budget and was not able to enjoy all of this in Texas. --Kelly

4449 looked so good in the AFT colors. The way the spirit of the Daylight scheme was blended into the Red White and Blue was outstanding, right down to the stripes on her pilot. Well done!

Great photos.