Santa Fe 2-8-0 #643, long displayed at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, has been donated to the Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) in OKC. The donation also included a wooden SLSF caboose. The equipment has been kept under a shelter, and is in fair cosmetic condition. Movement will be by highway "Heavy Hauler" truck. The move was first announced for Sunday December 21, but has been postponed pending evaluation of a Highway Bridge along the proposed route. ORM at this time is expecting to cosmetically restore #643 for display. ORM has an extensive collection at their location, and regularly operates excursions on three miles of ex-MKT track. Operable equipment includes a F9A, CF7, RS3, SW7, GE centercab, six passenger cars, three cabooses, an ex-KCM&O "Orient" depot, and several other pieces under restoration. Equipment on static display includes a FP45, RS1, 0-6-0T, additional passenger cars, additional cabooses, and sizable collection of freight cars.
http://www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/at ... elocation/

Always good news to hear that a steamer ends up moving to a museum that presumably will provide a better home. The referenced website states that the 2-8-0 was built in 1879. In his book however, J. David Conrad states that the locomotive was actually built in 1897 by the AT&SF Shops in Cleburne. Originally numbered 933 and renumbered in 1900 as 643.

Les

They also got a handpower car to go with it. I have seen that on video on their facebook.

Interesting consolidation. Stephenson gear driving piston valves and with a power reverse, too. I can see the stephenson gear on a pre 1900 locomotive, but not the piston valves. Piston valves were pretty rare until perhaps 1910 and the were typically canted further inwards to line up with the valve rods on the stephenson gear. I suspect that this loco may have gotten new cylinders some time in its life.

The loco looks pretty good, though. Is it pretty complete as far as appliances and cab equipment?

http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Baldwin/p3.htm

Comparing it to a similar 2-8-0, it looks like that locomotive was converted to inside admission at a later date. I'm sure a casting date would let you know when.

The shelter building around the equipment has been dismantled in preparation for highway transport. The stack has been removed for clearance reasons, and some of the "Jewelry" removed for safekeeping. The locomotive appears otherwise very much intact. Photo by John Kirk on the "Sooner Rails" Facebook page. https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 9126_o.jpg

I wonder if the museum will consider a steam program. They have a very nice, organized operation. A steam program would be a nice additon if the locomotive could be run again.

Locomotive is being loaded aboard a highway trailer. Link to photo by Oklahoma State Fair.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1914_o.jpg

Movement of the locomotive, via highway heavy hauler" truck, is currently scheduled to begin at 7AM on Friday January 2. Of course, subject to change depending on Weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Locomotive has safely arrived at the Oklahoma Railway Museum and been stowed inside their shop building. Link to a Facebook Photo by Stan Hall, one of the museum officers. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater