In the "stealth restoration" of 2014, the Texas State Railroad has returned Magma Arizona #7 to steam after a 13 year absence. Restored to her 1960 appearance, enjoy some shots of her debut on April 12, 2014.

More pictures and video are at:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... 10,3379203

How beautiful is that? Thank you for keeping the original configuration and road name.

MUCHO BUENO SABOR !!!!!

Richard -

I too applaud the fact that TSR changed the engine back to Magma Arizona number 7. She really looks great that way! However, for the record, her original number was 30 when she was built for the Tremont & Gulf Railway in 1917. When delivered, I believe that her headlight was on the top of the boiler. Her greatest fame of course, came when she worked for the Magma Arizona well into the diesel era, so that lettering and the number 7 makes good sense.

Les

I know TSRR has kind of led the parade in building new boilers for their locomotives, so I ask this. Did the #7's boiler get replaced or repaired? This place too is on my bucket list to visit. What a gem of a locomotive. Congrats on the final product regardless.

Regards, John.

number 7's boiler is still the original from 1917 or there abouts

As impressive as the locomotive is, the genius involved in building a frictionless floating turntable bridge is even more impressive. Kudos, gents.

dave

I mentioned to Earl that if they had had more water in the pit they could have called it the Maydelle municipal swimming pool and charged admission. He replied that that they pumped about 2' of water out of it a couple of days before so they could use it, but he did not say anything about chasing any locals out.....

The fire ant hill right between the turntable and the mainline usually takes care of the locals, who are used to having a frictionless, floating railroad during the rainy season.

Three 'fun facts' on this restoration....

1) #400 (7) was not originally qualified as eligible to be in the TXDOT restoration grant as it was not considered to be a "Texas" locomotive. That took some work, but Texas Historical Commission has been willing to work with the railroad, as this light 2-8-2 really fits the mission. That eligibility was the major reason this locomotive had simply been parked for years while others were redone.

2) Things pretty much 'went to plan' until it was discovered that the rear door sheet was thin and a new one had to be fabricated and fitted. That was a difficult job, started by AHR, built by Steam Services of America, and finished under IP under the tutelage of Steve Butler.

3) Texas Historical Commission also showed a great deal of flexibility in Earl Knoob's request to do the proper historical lettering and painting on the locomotive, including the renumbering. It's kind of a breakthrough in spirit and you will see TSRR working to be as accurate as affordable on this kind of restoration in the future.

The 7 is an absolute beauty! I think I'm gonna have to pay Earl a visit in a couple weeks...birthday is coming up and steam is on the agenda....

Wow, I never knew a steam engine from the Magma Arizona was preserved, let alone is now steaming again. :-)

I've never seen a locomotive with a clay-colored smoke box front. Interesting.

Actually, it's copper colored. All Magma Arizona steam locomotives had a copper painted smokebox. The paint job is not yet complete.