Does anybody know who has become the lucky winner to fix the 2248 ten wheeler the city of Grapevine Texas wants to continue to use on the Tarantuala tourist train to FtWorth. They were going to lease a operable, FRA inspected 2 6 2(the engine seen in the recent film OBrother Where Art thou) as a stand in, but backed out at the last minute because a s they put it, they could get their engine rebuilt in a few weeks.

lorija799@aol.com

> Does anybody know who has become the lucky
> winner to fix the 2248 ten wheeler the city
> of Grapevine Texas wants to continue to use
> on the Tarantuala tourist train to FtWorth.
> They were going to lease a operable, FRA
> inspected 2 6 2(the engine seen in the
> recent film OBrother Where Art thou) as a
> stand in, but backed out at the last minute
> because a s they put it, they could get
> their engine rebuilt in a few weeks.

Th situation as of last week was Grapevine had decided against hiring an outside contractor and would hire their own "enginehouse manager" to head the project. They were in contact with a former member of the FWWR's steam crew who was willing to move back from the southeast until he found out he was required to have 2248 on the road in 2 months and had only $100K to spend. All other bids had been in the nieghborhood of $250-375K. Needless to say he turned down the offer. In addition to new flues, a rear tubesheet and an FRA Part 230 survey, the running gear needs substantial work on the spring rigging, loose crown brasses, etc. I briefly considered offering my services to Grapevine, but their ignorance and arrogance of the needs of 2248 turned me off immediately. I do not see 2248 running in the immidiate future, if ever.

Earl Knoob
former Manager of Passenger Operations
FWWR

Thanks Earl,
its really too bad. As I've said before, If ignorance is bliss, there sure are some really happy folks in this world. I have also heard that Trinity Valley is trying to lease A&NR 208 to them.
HRM O'Biph

PS what is wrong with Railspot tonight?

lorija799@aol.com