Six Flags Over Georgia has recently dieselized its "Texas" 4-4-0. I think the diesel drive is in the tender, so not sure if they hacked into the boiler or not. SFOG has two of these Harpur-built, 36" gauge 4-4-0s, which (I think) were among several built using the same casting patterns as the two original Disneyland 4-4-0s of 1955. Very attractive little locomotives for amusement park engines.

http://www.sfog.net/pics/categories.php ... a82587a057

I think the diesel drive is in the tender, so not sure if they hacked into the boiler or not.


They took out most of the firebox and attached a chain drive to the #2 axle. They hacked up both flue sheets to stack rail in the boiler when the locomotive wouldn't run due to lack of traction. It has yet to run successfully.

When I was down there many years ago (1982-3?), they were pushing around a cabbage-stacked 2-6-2 or something at Stone Mountain; can't remember what - with a SW-something inside a pusher boxcar. The whistle was just air and an air hose was laying over the tender - looked like that's how it was blown. There must have been MU cables and a stand somewhere, because the 'engineer' was apparently running the train from the steam cab. All-in-all, very odd looking and odd-sounding. I remember the rods clanking rather loudly, too. Whatever happened to that rig?

[quote="Randy Gustafson"]When I was down there many years ago (1982-3?), they were pushing around a cabbage-stacked 2-6-2 or something at Stone Mountain; can't remember what - with a SW-something inside a pusher boxcar. /// Whatever happened to that rig?[/quote]

From the website, http://www.stonemountainpark.com, it would appear that F-unit[s] in Southern or CofGa livery handle the train..[/url]

If I recall correctly, they had run a long extension cord from a B Unit hostelers control stand in the steam cab to the MU hookup on the unit. Last I was there, power was a GP/SD whatever thing with a hood (who can REALLY tell these things apart?) rather than the nice C of G livery inspired streeamliner. The park has suffered from various changes in management over the last couple decades, and the poor steamers deserve better from the State of Georgia that actually owns them.

dave

Actually both Fs are out of service. The 6143 was repainted into it's Southern livery (though lettered SMRR) and the 3499 still has its Central of Georgia inspired New Georgia Railroad paint job. The GP9 is all that's running, since the GP7 died recently as well. The steam locomotives haven't been pushed around in a long time.

The two steam locos are survivors of the Paulsen Spence collection. Take a look at Ziel & Foster's "Steam in the Sixties" and see a photo of one of them in the original configuration and color scheme. Possibly the most beautiful American's I have ever seen. After being shoved around endlessly, without heat, without lubrication in hte cylinders, who can say what their restoration condition is? It would be nice to see somebody back-date them andat leatst use them as stitc, indoor exhibits.

After being shoved around endlessly, without heat, without lubrication in hte cylinders, who can say what their restoration condition is? It would be nice to see somebody back-date them andat leatst use them as stitc, indoor exhibits.

Actually Richard, much damage was done in the guise of repairs or maintenence by the amusement park while they were operational. ALL the flexible stays were replaced with rigid, welded into thick washers welded into the boilers. Lateral was taken up by jamming a horseshoe of nylon between the hub and box. They are certainly restorable, and are large enough to work well on a tourist line - just a lot of nonspec stuff and heavy wear to deal with.

dave

Sadly, most people that visit Six Flags probably wouldn't know the difference between the locomotive being powered by steam or the current version after dieselization. Just from past amusement park experiences (specifically, Six Flags Over Georgia and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Va.), the trains at the parks tend to be used as shuttles by people who don't want to walk from one side of the park to another, rather than being perceived as a ride, like roller coasters, water log rides, or what you have it. I think it's a shame this engine was altered, but I realize Six Flags is a tourist park and the train is probably the least of it's concerns, when compared to the park's other attractions.