NNG: A&TC 786

The Austin Steam Train runs in the Texas Hill Country just north of Austin, Tx. I have ridden it a few times although none under steam. They currently use an ALCO RSD15 (I Think that is right). The 786 has been out of service since 1999 when a crack was found in her cylinder saddle. From friends within the organization they are hopping for late this year although nothing is official.

The 786 is an ex Southern Pacific Mk-5 Mikado. Her sister engine the 745 operates with the Louisiana Steam Train Associations. (In fact, when the 745 was doing her Louisiana tour a while back and her air pump when out. They used the 786's as stand in).

Visit here for more information on the operation. They even have a cool pdf explaining "Where the Steam Engine has Gone Too" here!

And here is a trip report I did when I rode the A&TC back on July 4th last summer. They have some very nice coaches in their fleet and it was a pleasure of a ride!

I encourage any that are down in central Texas to ride one weekend.

Brian Jansky
Houston, Tx
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