From the Railspot Yahoo group board:


And a youtube video of the moving:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT5LJ8O4ICs

FrCLIMAX LOCOMOTIVE NOW ON DISPLAY - Friday, June 06, 2014


June 6, 2014 (Romayor, TX)—A CLIMAX steam locomotive, believed to be the only survivor of its type in existence, is now on display at The Retreat at Artesian Lakes, a resort and conference center located one hour north of Houston. The engine was removed from an island where it had been semi-buried and partly shrouded by the lush greenery of East Texas for over 80 years. A seven-man team then hauled it 1,830 feet to its current location, using wooden “skis” and three large pieces of heavy machinery.

The locomotive—a 25-ton Model B—was built in about 1893 by Climax Manufacturing Co. at Corry, PA for 26-inch narrow gauge track. It subsequently was modified for standard gauge track by the Southern Iron and Equipment Company (SI&E). The locomotive is in remarkably good condition; its wooden cab (except for one remnant at the front) and its “tender” where chopped firewood for fuel to stoke the boiler was stored, deteriorated and disappeared many years ago. Also notably missing are the smoke stack, boiler door, and sand dome with a classic bell mounted on top, which were characteristic of this type of engine and which were, most likely, salvaged or stolen from the island at some point. However, the eight wheels cast from a solid piece of metal and associated gearing remain intact. Two giant pistons located on each side powered the wheels and pulled the train cars attached to it.

The Climax was owned by three different lumber operators between 1913 and 1930, and in between, returned to the factory a couple of times for upgrades. In 1930, the Climax was purchased by the Texas Construction Materials Company of Romayor, Texas.



The Romayor area, and specifically the 500 acres currently comprising The Retreat at Artesian Lakes Resort and Conference Center and the Artesian Lakes community, was rich in gravel deposits and became an important mining site for this material, a vital component of the exciting new building product called concrete. The Climax was used to transport the gravel from the mining site to a railroad spur in Romayor and then on to Beaumont to the East and Houston to the West. A portion of the original trestle is still in place running parallel to the Artesian Lakes entrance road off FM 787.

According to verbal accounts, following a dispute between the logging company boss and one of the gravel company’s managers, one of them dug a channel all around the spot where the Climax was stationed, turning it into an island the resort owners named “Train Island.” Although a colorful story, the physical evidence suggests that the locomotive was simply stuck from the rear with sufficient force to knock it off the tracks. Because it was impossible to move it with the equipment available at the time, the Climax escaped being melted down during the steel drives to build ships or weapons during World War II.

Train Island eventually became a much-visited curiosity for guests of The Retreat at Artesian Lakes (previously named Chain-O-Lakes). Now that the engine has been successfully transferred to a more visible location, the resort owners plan to build a railroad museum around it. A temporary display has been set up in The Hospitality House including an operating model replica, photographs, and information about its history and adventures.

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CHRONOLOGY

1. Built in 1893 by Climax Manufacturing Co.

2. Sold to W.H. Gerhart in 1913

3. Converted to standard gauge by Southern Iron & Equipment Company (SI&E).

4. Sold to Soniat & DeBlieu, Inc. in 1919, a lumber operation in Opelousas, LA.

5. Sold to Gemmar & Tanner in 1928, a lumber operation in Romayor, TX.

6. Sold to Texas Construction Materials Co. in 1930, a gravel operation in Romayor, TX.

7. During the early 1930s, there was a significant accident that de-railed the locomotive. Later the land around it was excavated for the gravel deposits and it was left stranded on an island.

8. Rescued from Train Island by Wyatt Smith and his crew in 2014!

Love the optimism. Emphasis added.



Congrats to the crew that rescued this artifact for display.

Wesley

I'm not sure what the author of the news story meant by "the only survivor of its type in existence." By my rough count, there are at least a dozen Class B Climax locomotive still around, including two or three that see regular use.

And given it was half buried for decades and had a lot of parts stolen, I'd also take issue with the "good condition' statement.

Still, at least it is heading in the right direction now.

dave

Does anyone want to create a version of the video without the music? I cant watch it here in Europe, the bad part about our move.... I get a description from utube saying I can watch it due to copyright issues with the use of music from UMG which could conflict with the conditions of GEMA. Does anyone even know what GEMA is? Really want to see what this Climax looks like!

Opening shot of the video:

Much as some would laugh, there's actually enough there to do something. Certainly enough (with sufficient replicated woodwork) to make a cosmetic display.

More has been done with less.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

The video worked fine for me in the Isle of Man (a rock in the Irish Sea) but it is a U.S. bought laptop if that makes any difference.
Great to see another one saved, I've got a soft spot for 'em as i have one in 1 1/2" scale.
Cheers, Ray.

The Climax (shop #1551) at Cass was in deplorable shape for years. In the last 12 years great strides have been made in the total restoration and operation of this class C(70 ton) engine. Please go to http://www.msrlha.org and search the Climax Locomotive Project page. It is truly a great effort.