Stone Mountain Texas II headed north

jayo · **Joined:** Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:01 am **Posts:** 19

jasonsobczynski wrote:

Interesting how these rumors go around. I had heard the same thing earlier in the day from one person, then someone on facebook (affiliated with three rivers) said something about it was spotted heading north and then the original post on this thread.

Guess it happens......Jason

Yeah, if the Texas II ever leaves the mountain, it will most likely be given to that group in San Antonio that's had their eyes on it since the General II left...

garyrsatx · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:59 pm

I was told by a someone from the new operator that Texas II (aka SA&AP 60) is going to the Gulf and Ohio RR. Our organization, the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum(SARHM), had repeatedly told the owners if the Texas II that we would like to acquire the locomotive for our organization. However, we were never notified that they were making it available and we were never contacted! They had our contact information and knew that we wanted it. The last thing they told me is that they were going to do a sealed bid for the #110 and Texas II and there were forms we would need to fill out.... never got them. I am VERY VERY disappointed in the Stone Mountain people in their lack of communication. May of our members had their hearts set in seeing the former #60 return home to San Antonio. I can only hope that some day we might still be able to acquire the #60 and return her home where she belongs!

Gary Rodriguez
President/CEO
SARHM

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6486

Dave Crosby wrote:

I figured the 4-4-0 going to Knoxville was too good to be true. After the Three Rivers cut back on steam ops last year, this story just didn't fit.

Dave

Dave -

I checked the Three River Ramblers website this morning, and it looks like they have steam scheduled for 5 dates this coming year. One day in October for Pumpkin Trains and the rest in December for their Christmas trains. Each date with two runs, or a total of 10 steam runs. There are also other runs scheduled in October, November and December, but these appear to be non-steam powered. Hopefully I am reading their schedule correctly. But at least it appears that steam is still viable in Knoxville.

Les

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:50 pm

Actually, I am looking at Three Rivers, and they do not appear to be operating in the summer at all. Why?

As a proportion of trips advertised, steam is close to all trips. They just aren't running a summer season at all.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6486

Steven -

I just heard that there is a bridge in the area being rebuilt that has caused access and parking problems. And they are intending to build a new station about a mile from the present boarding site.

Les

jayo · **Joined:** Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:01 am **Posts:** 19

Looks like it is heading north now!

beacon_joe · **Joined:** Wed May 16, 2012 2:51 pm **Posts:** 37

I was informed after I posted this thread that my info I recieved was a bit premature. But it was correct after all.

junior · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:59 pm

hope they don't hit a pot hole....dang, that's pretty low.

Mount Royal · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:54 pm

If I'm not mistaken, that is the same outfit that hauls for the Gramlings (FC75 and LVC126). I didn't know that rig was capable of hauling such a load. Impressive! Nice locomotive too!

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:16 pm

Trains Newswire has confirmed the acquisition of #60/Texas II by the Gulf & Ohio for the Three Rivers Rambler operation.

Gary should now start another round of "stalking" this loco for future preservation.....

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 321

Stone Mtn. 60 is in Knoxville, she is stored on Gulf and Ohio's KHRR away from public view. They are currently doing a survey to determine the condition of the locomotive, and the cost of a potential restoration.

jayo · **Joined:** Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:01 am **Posts:** 19

garyrsatx wrote:

I was told by a someone from the new operator that Texas II (aka SA&AP 60) is going to the Gulf and Ohio RR. Our organization, the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum(SARHM), had repeatedly told the owners if the Texas II that we would like to acquire the locomotive for our organization. However, we were never notified that they were making it available and we were never contacted! They had our contact information and knew that we wanted it. The last thing they told me is that they were going to do a sealed bid for the #110 and Texas II and there were forms we would need to fill out.... never got them. I am VERY VERY disappointed in the Stone Mountain people in their lack of communication. May of our members had their hearts set in seeing the former #60 return home to San Antonio. I can only hope that some day we might still be able to acquire the #60 and return her home where she belongs!

Gary Rodriguez
President/CEO
SARHM

That is disappointing. Still, it's in better hands now. I'm sure the G&O will have it operating again, and likely maintain it better than the Mountain had! You should let the G&O know that if they decide to pull the plug on their steam excursions for whatever reason, you guys should be given the engine.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:31 pm

jayo wrote:

You should let the G&O know that if they decide to pull the plug on their steam excursions for whatever reason, you guys should be given the engine.

No.

No, no, no, no, no. THAT kind of thinking/talking may even be counterproductive.

You let them know that you are interested in the loco for historical reasons, seek to repatriate it to its home turf, and would like the opportunity to acquire the loco should it become available, with enough time to raise funds for its purchase if need be. In the meantime, you demonstrate yourselves to be ample and adequate potential future owners.

If they're nice enough to donate the loco, so be it. But don't go to them expecting them to just give it to you. That's the kind of approach that ticks off an awful lot of folks. Trust me.