Galveston Railroad Museum scraps rare FM H20-44

Andrew Taylor · **Joined:** Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:48 pm **Posts:** 14

For those that don't peruse Trainorders:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... sg-6063992

Not the first time they have de-accessioned something the hard way.

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Sat Aug 16, 2025 1:10 pm

Blasphemous.

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

I don't see any sign of financial distress.

They even have had $185K of UBIT (Unrelated Business Income).

https://galvestonrrmuseum.org/wp-conten ... 0-2023.pdf

F40PHR231 · **Joined:** Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:54 pm **Posts:** 72

This makes two FMs scrapped this year, the other being USAX 1854 in Ogden, UT.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2874

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38936&hilit=Galveston
I don't know what happened to the Fairbanks Morse Preservation Society, but the OP hasn't been on this board since 2023. Too bad about the unit, but money talks, bullsh*t walks.

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2025 7:49 am

Believe me, there were people in NE Ohio who wanted to try and get it back here, as the last existing Akron, Canton & Youngstown locomotive. Never were contacted that it was in danger of being scrapped. First I heard of this was yesterday.

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2025 1:25 pm

F40PHR231 wrote:

This makes two FMs scrapped this year, the other being USAX 1854 in Ogden, UT.

When was 1854 scrapped?

jayrod · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:58 pm

PaulWWoodring wrote:

Believe me, there were people in NE Ohio who wanted to try and get it back here, as the last existing Akron, Canton & Youngstown locomotive. Never were contacted that it was in danger of being scrapped. First I heard of this was yesterday.

A small group of us discussed this when it was first for sale. The consensus was that given its condition prior to Ike, then after soaking in 10' of gritty, flotsam containing seawater, remediation just to prevent further deterioration and cosmetic restoration would require cubic dollars and manhours. Then tack on transportation costs. If you wanted to run it, you'd need to do a full frame-off restoration.

Sad to see it go, tho. H20-44s were one of my favorites.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2025 10:07 pm

Unthinkable in this day and age. Even static preservation would have been better.

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

In better days.

https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto. ... 804&nseq=0

elueck · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2025 8:07 pm

The Anacapa and the Santa Fe short superintendents car will be next I fear. Years ago, after the hurricane they got insurance money to replace those two cars, but apparently never looked too hard. Both are basically one of a kinds in todays world but are un-restorable in their present condition. Both were submerged in salt water up to the windows and they are just pitiful.

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:34 pm

I know I'm going to get a lot of grief for saying it, but you probably shouldn't have a railroad museum in a place that is at sea level in an area prone to hurricanes.

wesp · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:39 pm

Quote:

The Anacapa and the Santa Fe short superintendents car will be next I fear.

Ozark Mountain lists the Anacapa as sold. What I are the details on the superintendents car (car builder, number, etc.)?
Thank you.
~Wesley