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Gallery
The Texas & Pacific #610 is
the sole surviving example of the earliest form of the super-power steam
locomotives built by the Lima Locomotive Works from 1925 to 1949. The
super-power locomotives were the first to combine a high-capacity boiler with a
modern valve gear and a four-wheel trailing truck. The performance of these
locomotives was unprecedented, and they were the prototype for the modern
American steam locomotive through the end of the steam age for rail.
Number 610 was the first of the T & P’s second order of 2-10-4s delivered June
1927. The I-A1’s differed from the first order slightly in that they were built
with American multiple-valve throttles that allowed room for their stacks to be
capped with decorative flanges, a favorite detail on the T & P. The boiler
pressure was also raised from 250 to 255 psig, which increased tractive effort
to 84,600 pounds, plus 13,300 pounds for the booster.
By 1953, all but two T & P steam locomotives were scrapped -- the 610 and 638
went on exhibit. It was proudly displayed on the Will Rogers Colliseum Grounds
near Casa Manana. Slowly, however, the city lost interest in the old engine, and
in 1969 it was stored at the Fort Worth Army Quartermaster Depot. T & P 610 sat
at the Quartermaster Depot for six years - until plans started being drawn up
for a reenactment of the American Freedom Train
to help celebrate our nations Bicentennial. The AFT’s decision to use the
engine during the Texas leg of the tour furnished the impetus for restoring 610.
After pulling the American Freedom Train, the locomotive was leased by the
Southern Railway in 1977 for use in its steam excursion program. It was used by
the Southern for four years until being returned to Texas in 1981. In 1987 it
was donated to the Texas State Railroad
historical park where it resides today. While in serviceable condition, the
TSRR keeps the #610 as a museum piece, rolling it out of the shop on weekends
for public view.
My model of #610 has been built in its American Freedom Train livery, rather
than the Texas & Pacific livery she wears today. She is powered by two Power
Functions train motors in the tender and is fully track compatible including
switches and S curves. From the limited testing I have performed I predict she
will be a regular performer at events.
--Tony
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