Anyone have photos, details of the SP 771 move from Victoria, Texas? Were journals prepared for rolling, etc..?

http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/local/local/story/1522005p-1790020c.html
ryarger@rypn.org

> Anyone have photos, details of the SP 771
> move from Victoria, Texas? Were journals
> prepared for rolling, etc..?

Because of clearance problems, the engine was partially dismantled for the move [cab/boiler separated from frame/running-gear]. Understanding is that 3 lowboys are being utilized for the move.

tvrha2001@yahoo.com

I have examined this loco carefully during several trips to Victoria, in the last few years. My recollection is that Grapevine is going to operate her. Is that confirmable? She appears to be in very good external shape, and the hot Texas air has probably kept her boiler and tank that way. When she arrives in Grapevine, please let us know on this end. I, for one, am glad to see her going from being a static exhibit, to something living and breathing again!


glueck@maine.edu

> I have examined this loco carefully during
> several trips to Victoria, in the last few
> years. My recollection is that Grapevine is
> going to operate her. Is that confirmable?
> She appears to be in very good external
> shape, and the hot Texas air has probably
> kept her boiler and tank that way. When she
> arrives in Grapevine, please let us know on
> this end. I, for one, am glad to see her
> going from being a static exhibit, to
> something living and breathing again!

The 771 will be restored to operating condition for use on special trains,as she is too big to get to the Stockyards proper. I'd say look for her in about three years........


kbcotton@flash.net

Anyone have pictures of the move?
Victoria and Grapevine deserve our thanks for this courageous action in what might otherwise be a low point for steam restoration.



glueck@maine.edu

> Anyone have pictures of the move?
> Victoria and Grapevine deserve our thanks
> for this courageous action in what might
> otherwise be a low point for steam
> restoration.

This has been the culmination of a nearly two-year struggle between Grapevine & Victoria over the locomotive's restoration. For quite some time, a local Victoria group had tried to preserve the engine, to no avail.

Whether a "low point" will have been averted is yet to be determined. The project cost has been estimated at $330,000 [$30,000 for the move, which cost has already been exceeded]. When I saw the engine in Victoria nearly two years ago, the asbestos lagging was still beneath the boiler jacket, and leaking out through a couple rusted spots. Unclear whether the lagging was removed prior to the move.

It has been documented here and elsewhere about how other preservation groups had considered 771 for restoration, but had chosen its sister[s] which were in better condition. The concern is that the restoration cost estimate is extremely low, borne out by the comparative experience of groups with 771's sisters [745 & 786].

Notwithstanding, I hope Grapevine is successful in their efforts, and that they'll stay the course when confronted with the true financial obstacles of restoring the locomotive.

hi_plain@yahoo.com

I don't know about the 786's original condition, but the 745 in New Orleans was much, much worse than the 771. If there was a prize awarded for most vandalized/least maintained park engine, it would be a finalist. 745 sat in the daily New Orelans rain since 1953, and vandals beat on her bell until it split and the backhead was just a plain of water-and-vandal-eroded nubs. Last time I saw 771 (in the last couple years) she still had some of her original cab gauges!

> This has been the culmination of a nearly
> two-year struggle between Grapevine &
> Victoria over the locomotive's restoration.
> For quite some time, a local Victoria group
> had tried to preserve the engine, to no
> avail.

> Whether a "low point" will have
> been averted is yet to be determined. The
> project cost has been estimated at $330,000
> [$30,000 for the move, which cost has
> already been exceeded]. When I saw the
> engine in Victoria nearly two years ago, the
> asbestos lagging was still beneath the
> boiler jacket, and leaking out through a
> couple rusted spots. Unclear whether the
> lagging was removed prior to the move.

> It has been documented here and elsewhere
> about how other preservation groups had
> considered 771 for restoration, but had
> chosen its sister[s] which were in better
> condition. The concern is that the
> restoration cost estimate is extremely low,
> borne out by the comparative experience of
> groups with 771's sisters [745 & 786].

> Notwithstanding, I hope Grapevine is
> successful in their efforts, and that
> they'll stay the course when confronted with
> the true financial obstacles of restoring
> the locomotive.


runner@i-55.com