Does anyone have any info or contacts with the new steam line in New orleans?
Alan

adofmsu@aol.com

> Does anyone have any info or contacts with
> the new steam line in New orleans?
> Alan

Try www.bigeasysteamtrain.com

JAC

New Orleans & Gulf

> Try www.bigeasysteamtrain.com

> JAC

Thanks! Thats them!
I was looking thru the pics and is that fireman with the glasses Ron Larson who was with the Tarantula Train?
Alan


adofmsu@aol.com

Yep, 'bleeve so. BTW, I understand his replacement at Tarantuala is some ex SP diesel mechanic with ZERO steam experience. Last I heard he was trying to figure out how to remove the airpump to send it to Bernie Watts. They have it figured out that an outside boiler company can fix their ten wheeler for around 100k.
No experienced steam guys would take the position.
How is the New Orleans operation Doing?

I have not been to the New Orleans line yet, although I plan to go. The last time I was in Fort Worth I remember seeing the 1722 unrestored. I was in the cab of the 2248 with Ron driving. He let me ride in the cab and he had never met me but I guess he could tell I wasnt just railfan.
Does Ron have an email address?

I have video of that ride on FWW 2248 and Im deeply disturbed that they let it go to pot. Its a regal looking engine, and that screaming whistle makes it sound like its going 100mph. To bad that whistle was stolen

Alan
adofmsu@aol.com
> Yep, 'bleeve so. BTW, I understand his
> replacement at Tarantuala is some ex SP
> diesel mechanic with ZERO steam experience.
> Last I heard he was trying to figure out how
> to remove the airpump to send it to Bernie
> Watts. They have it figured out that an
> outside boiler company can fix their ten
> wheeler for around 100k.
> No experienced steam guys would take the
> position.
> How is the New Orleans operation Doing?


adofmsu@aol.com

> I have not been to the New Orleans line yet,
> although I plan to go. The last time I was
> in Fort Worth I remember seeing the 1722
> unrestored. I was in the cab of the 2248
> with Ron driving. He let me ride in the cab
> and he had never met me but I guess he could
> tell I wasnt just railfan.
> Does Ron have an email address?

> I have video of that ride on FWW 2248 and Im
> deeply disturbed that they let it go to pot.
> Its a regal looking engine, and that
> screaming whistle makes it sound like its
> going 100mph. To bad that whistle was stolen

> Alan
> adofmsu@aol.com

Why, yes I do have e-mail, thanks for asking.
To answer the previous question, yes that is me in the fireman's seat of the 1744 when we were running it here in Ft. Worth.
After I left FWWR/Coe Sun I started my own company, Southwest Steam Locomotive, working on steam locomotives around the country. One of the projects I was involved in was assisting in the completion of the rebuild of Engine #1744. Shortly after that picture was taken, we loaded the locomotive on two flatcars and sent it to New Orleans. I then went down there and assisted with unloading the engine (in the cold pouring rain, I might add), putting it back together, test runs, and we then started regular passenger runs. It's still running good, last I heard.
I don't know what's going to happen with the 2248. The engine needs considerably more than the required 1472 day inspection, it essentially needs over 3/4 of a complete rebuild. The engine provided very good service for 8 years, but it's just wore out now and needs a lot of work to put it back in good, reliable condition. Unfortunately, the management of the project refuses to believe that the work will take longer than 2 months or cost more than the amount they have budgeted for the project. Engine #2248 was a beautiful, well running engine, well worth rebuilding. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ron Larson

swstmloco@familyconnect.com

Just heard that Scott Lindsey is in Grapevine to rebuild the 2248! Wonder if a little sense started to creep into the management.