Gallery
The Texas & Pacific #610 is the sole surviving example of the earliest form of the super-power steam locomotives built by the Lima Locomotive Works from 1925 to 1949. The super-power locomotives were the first to combine a high-capacity boiler with a modern valve gear and a four-wheel trailing truck. The performance of these locomotives was unprecedented, and they were the prototype for the modern American steam locomotive through the end of the steam age for rail.
Number 610 was the first of the T & P's second order of 2-10-4s delivered June 1927. The I-A1's differed from the first order slightly in that they were built with American multiple-valve throttles that allowed room for their stacks to be capped with decorative flanges, a favorite detail on the T & P. The boiler pressure was also raised from 250 to 255 psig, which increased tractive effort to 84,600 pounds, plus 13,300 pounds for the booster.
By 1953, all but two T & P steam locomotives were scrapped -- the 610 and 638 went on exhibit. It was proudly displayed on the Will Rogers Colliseum Grounds near Casa Manana. Slowly, however, the city lost interest in the old engine, and in 1969 it was stored at the Fort Worth Army Quartermaster Depot. T & P 610 sat at the Quartermaster Depot for six years - until plans started being drawn up for a reenactment of the American Freedom Train to help celebrate our nations Bicentennial. The AFT's decision to use the engine during the Texas leg of the tour furnished the impetus for restoring 610.
After pulling the American Freedom Train, the locomotive was leased by the Southern Railway in 1977 for use in its steam excursion program. It was used by the Southern for four years until being returned to Texas in 1981. In 1987 it was donated to the Texas State Railroad historical park where it resides today. While in serviceable condition, the TSRR keeps the #610 as a museum piece, rolling it out of the shop on weekends for public view.
My model of #610 has been built in its American Freedom Train livery, rather than the Texas & Pacific livery she wears today. She is powered by two Power Functions train motors in the tender and is fully track compatible including switches and S curves. From the limited testing I have performed I predict she will be a regular performer at events.
--Tony
I'll fix that! 
