This is slightly off topic, but I believe there are some on this list who could provide me with some information; it's fate also raises a general question.

I found out from another list that this museum used to exist here in S.E. Texas. The engine collection was broad and included everything from several big Corliss engines to small vertical and horizontal engines. Outside was a Case traction engine and a large marine engine which I think was a triple expansion.

My initial question is where was it? I had never heard of this museum before.

My second but more relevant question is what happened to it? A responder to the original message stated that the museum closed, the triple expansion engine was scrapped, and the rest of the collection scattered.

I have on my hard drive as I write this a proposal for yet another steam engine museum in this same part of the country, to serve as a home for the steam engines I know of that remain in the area. In the planning stages, is it possible to plan to prevent what occurred to this museum and the Paulson Spence collection from occuring again?

Going back to the "responsibility" issue, why try to save them by forming a musuem foundation, only to end up gathering them for a scrap merchant? I want to make sure the same doesn't occur again.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a


Surviving World Steam Locomotives
james1@pernet.net

> This is slightly off topic, but I believe
> there are some on this list who could
> provide me with some information; it's fate
> also raises a general question.

> I found out from another list that this
> museum used to exist here in S.E. Texas. The
> engine collection was broad and included
> everything from several big Corliss engines
> to small vertical and horizontal engines.
> Outside was a Case traction engine and a
> large marine engine which I think was a
> triple expansion.

> My initial question is where was it? I had
> never heard of this museum before.

> My second but more relevant question is what
> happened to it? A responder to the original
> message stated that the museum closed, the
> triple expansion engine was scrapped, and
> the rest of the collection scattered.

> I have on my hard drive as I write this a
> proposal for yet another steam engine museum
> in this same part of the country, to serve
> as a home for the steam engines I know of
> that remain in the area. In the planning
> stages, is it possible to plan to prevent
> what occurred to this museum and the Paulson
> Spence collection from occuring again?

> Going back to the "responsibility"
> issue, why try to save them by forming a
> musuem foundation, only to end up gathering
> them for a scrap merchant? I want to make
> sure the same doesn't occur again.

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a

I think the museum you speak of was either at Orange, or Alamo, Texas. Live Steam magazine published an article about it in the 1977-79era.
The museum was mainly around a still operating Corliss pumping station that served irrigation in the area.

lorija799@aol.com