The only true USRA 4-6-2 remaining, here at Jacksonville, FL in August 1990. When it came time to move it, the running gear had been welded together supposedly, so it was slid on greased rails to the new site.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/acl/acl-s1504ad.jpg

Any details on the running gear being welded, and or why? My family has photos of the engine being slid on the greased panel tracks downtown and I have vague memories of that day. This engine has always been a fond interest of mine, but I know so little about where it ran on the system or why it was saved.

Were they afraid it would blow away in a hurricane? Why go to those lengths?

I talked to Bill Purdie about 1504 on an excursion behind 1218 out of Atlanta many years ago. Bill said the only thing that was done is small metal blocks are welded on the crosshead bars on either sides of the crossheads. He said (and he would have known) that if he had ~10 minutes with an angle grinder, it'd be ready to roll. I've looked at the locomotive since and confirmed what he said.

I grew up along the ACL mainline (although it was after steam was gone); I'd really love to see this engine run one of these days.