Magma Arizona #7 and no it is not 1962

elueck · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:58 am

The Texas State RR shop crew has restored Magma Arizona #7 to its 1960 appearance.

Here is it's "formal portrait" as photographed by Earl Knoob at Maydelle, TX, April 19, 2014

A huge "well done" to Earl, Steven Butler and all of the TSRR shop crew!

And, for the record, the engine sounds as good as it looks!

hi-plains · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:33 am

Splendid!

I've never seen a "copper" color for a smokebox before. Is that painted and [dumb addendum] prototypical for steamers that hauled copper ores?

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:30 pm

hi-plains wrote:

Splendid!

I've never seen a "copper" color for a smokebox before. Is that painted and [dumb addendum] prototypical for steamers that hauled copper ores?

Not a dumb question at all. The copper-color smokebox was/is a feature of locmotives that operated on the Magma Arizona railroad. I do not know if other copper-hauling railroalds did it.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:34 pm

hi-plains wrote:

Splendid!

I've never seen a "copper" color for a smokebox before. Is that painted and [dumb addendum] prototypical for steamers that hauled copper ores?

I don't know what the finish would have been, other than that it would obviously have to be something that could stand a lot of heat, but the copper color does seem to have been used in regular service:

http://www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com/ ... temId=4228

http://www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com/ ... temId=8194

http://www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com/ ... temId=4231

http://www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com/ ... temId=4235

Two other steam locomotives from the Magma Arizona survive. They include a Baldwin 2-6-0, No. 6, built around 1907, and a chunky 2-8-0, No. 5:

http://www.rgusrail.com/album/azmsrp/ma_6_02.jpg

http://www.rgusrail.com/album/azmsrp/ma_6_08.jpg

http://www.rgusrail.com/azmsrp.html

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=188753

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma_Arizona_Railroad

Howard P. · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:02 pm

I always thought #7 was a good looking engine; it's nice to see her restored as MA #7.

Steve Bogen bought #7 from the MA in 1970. At the time, he and a few others were deeply involved in setting up the Valley Railroad in Connecticut. Steve already owned 2-8-0 #97, ex-LIRR GE 44-ton #400, and some passenger cars, all of which would be just part of his major contribution to the startup railroad.

He told me that the Santa Fe wanted $20,000 (in 1971 dollars) just to get #7 to Chicago, and he thought that was an outrageous amount of money to move the engine. He offered #7 for a free 5 or 10 year lease to a reliable operation, hoping to get someone east of the Mississippi River to take him up on that offer. No takers, and he sold #7 in 1974 or 75.

Would have been interesting to see #7 along the Connecticut River...

Howard P.

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

I really like this steam loco with its copper-painted smoke box and Vanderbilt tender.

Has the #7 been used much in the 2015 tourist season?

Thanks.

Alan Walker · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:53 pm

Got to ride behind her at the ATRRM Fall Conference last year. TSRR is a great ride. As for the copper smokebox, as far as I know, that was exclusive to the Magma Arizona.

QJdriver · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2015 12:46 am

MUCHO BUENO SABOR !!!!

Steven Butler · **Joined:** Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:38 pm **Posts:** 49

MARR 7 has spent the summer in the shop having running gear work done to it. Including Boring out the left Valve, new Valve rings, turning a couple of crank pins, machining new rod brasses, turning the lead truck wheels, and finishing the wiring in the cab. It more than likely will be back n service the beginning of the 2016 season.

Steven

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

Thanks very much for that report, Mr. Butler!

From what I read, MARR 7 is one terrific locomotive and a perfect fit for TSRR. On Trainorders in May 2014, Mr. Lueck wrote the following:

elueck wrote:

The engine is gorgeous, and runs like a well regulated Hamilton watch, and takes the TSRR's 2+% grades with ease and a style all of its own.

Butler's comment yesterday was something to the effect that it was really unique to be able to fire an engine that you could open the firing valve, and run the injector wide open up a 2% grade and never see the needle move on the pressure gauge. Earl's comment when I commented on how well suited that the engine is to the TSRR and how great it would be to have several more like it was "Nah, if they were all this good, this job could actually get boring".

QJdriver · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:12 pm

If you want to see the needle move on the pressure gauge, firing 400 up Fairchild or Oakland with the injector going, try getting off the seat and shaking some sand into the firedoor...

Txhighballer · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am **Posts:** 773

I always liked the 7 (400). Jay Morrison REALLY liked her. She was a forgiving soul and good for a new fireman, she rode well, and going up Fairchild or Oakland, she was great. On the flats around Jarvis, she could pick 'em up and lay 'em down....

QJdriver · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2015 7:19 am

YEA BUDDY, When I was a new fireman, I had that sucker in flames, gangway, trailer truck, and the fourth set of drivers, fire boiling up as high as the arm rests !!! We all survived. Damn near burned the fuel hose in two.

Builds character.

p51 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2015 5:34 pm

rock island lines wrote:

I really like this steam loco with its copper-painted smoke box and Vanderbilt tender.

I bet that look really looked neat in Arizona as it blended into the landscape.
I assume people will be think that's rust when they see it in person, as it's obvious a very unusual color for a smokebox and firebox.
But man, I really need to get out there someday and ride the TSRR in person...

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:02 am

What a great looking photo freight! So unique.