Stephen G Wrote:
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> 2248 was a fire fighting engine and a Excursion
> loco for the SP in her final years there then she
> went on to be Texas sate railroads #300 until she
> went to the FWWR and they restored her to how she
> looks today she was sold to the city of Grapevine
> I believe in 2005 to become GVRR 2248.
>
> the Engine in the back ground is ex SP 2-8-2 771
> it was purchased by the FWWR as a replacement for
> 2248 after they sold the SP 1744 to New Orleans
> but after they learned that her wheel base was two
> long to negotiate wye into the stock yards and the
> cost of restoration she was relegated back to
> display service and was sold to the city of grape
> vine along with 2248.
Just to add to that. FWWR are the ones who returned her to 2248 after Texas State RR changed her.
Also, while 771 was meant to be the replacement/backup partner to 2248, there was already another engine they had specificly bought for that purpose. Ex ATSF converted from F7a to GP-7, 2199. I was a volunteer for the FWWR in Grapevine. I remember the day she came in, I though the 2248 was dommed. Later, I found out that 2199 was bought just to be the back up engine to 2248, as FWWR was sick of diverting engines just for it.
Recently, the possiblity of adding another steam engine was talked about, but that idea has since been put back on the shelf.
Tyler
Keller TX
Railfan & Model Railroader
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