GM&O 72

bobyar2001 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:04 am

At Jackson, Mississippi, August 20, 1944, just over 60 years ago. One of several engines to escape scrap from Louisiana gravel pits, it last worked for Standard Gravel's Washington & Western RR (not sure if it was a common carrier or not) at Franklinton, LA. On display at a Franklinton park since 1981. Ran into the early 1960s, with two ex-SP/T&NO 0-6-0s, which were also saved.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... gm+o72.jpg

Don C. · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am

Very "Mexican" looking with that huge headlight!

Don C.

Josh Wallis · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:33 pm **Posts:** 112

This engine is now in absolutely pitiful condition at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Louisiana. This is sad, because to my knowledge this is one of only two engines of GM&O lineage still in existence (the other being R&N 425, which operated as GM&O 580). One of the T&NO 0-6-0s you mentioned is at the Casey Jones Museum in Vaughn, MS, and the museum is scheduled for closing.

steamguru · **Joined:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:02 pm **Posts:** 32

is that a racial comment....i think that it is!

Don C. · **Posted:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:43 pm

Steamguru,

My post concerning the "Mexican" look of the #72 is based on my experience (both in person and in books) of the seemingly larger-than-normal sized headlights that the N de M locos carried. This was particularly noticeable on the narrow gauge 2-8-0. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't post here to attempt to insult anyone.

Don C.

rypnorg · **Joined:** Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:31 pm **Posts:** 68

Steamguru will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he was attempting a joke.

He was drawing a comparison between saying that the engine "looked Mexican" with saying that a person "looks Mexican", a remark that some people would think was in poor taste.

If it is a joke, to be honest, it doesn't really work.

Steamguru, if I am wrong and you did find something actually offensive let me know--though I too thought it was a simple statement of fact. The big headlight really does look Mexican.

steamguru · **Joined:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:02 pm **Posts:** 32

well, i didn't know that if he was trying to make a joke or a comparison or what he was trying to do..
steamguru

lvt1000 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:51 am

WWII Japanese heavy battleships (like the KONGO for instance)had distinct upperworks referred to as a Pagoda Superstructure....they looked distinctively "Japanese" and were readily recognizable. Am I racist ?....The reference to Mexican locomotives is quite logical.