Re: Friends Regional meeting at the Texas State R/R in May

OK, in an update from the previous posts, TSR has decided to postpone the annual railfan day from the planned May 4 celebration to May 11 to coincide with the FOCTS special run, in the interest of both providing a more spectacular experience to those who would come to railfan day or the FOCTS event, and to possibly attract some of the railfan day participants to mingle with and meet the FOTCS members.

Earl hopes to have 3 engines running on May 11 and will include Magma Arizona #7 on the photographers special, one way. The regular train will be running with TSR 300 (still red as valve gear and rod brasses were more important than paint, and opening day is only 3 weeks away).
The FOCTS special will run with #316 and 316 will also power the westbound photographers special.

Below are pictures taken yesterday in the Rusk shop.

First is #7, its firebox repairs having been completed, it is going back together and really looks good.

#316 is outside as work goes on for its annual


#300 is getting rod and valve gear brasses renewed which should square her up again.

Unfortunately, all this mechanical work has to take precedence over getting the freight cars brakes fully functional for FRA service so the photo freight will not be possible this May.

Still the possibility of photographing or riding 3 trains behind 3 locomotives ought to make for a great event!

Way to go TSR!

Now, I have a special request here. Last fall, for the 316 special, we located a new photo opportunity place for some good shots for a runby, and we used it, but it needs some work to make it more convenient and to provide for better photo opportunities for clear shots. Yesterday, we located two others, including one that is really spectacular, but it needs quite a bit of site clearance. Each of the first two locations could use a single day's work by a group of 4 or 5 persons, and they would really enhance the railfan day / FOCTS experience as well as future railfans coming to the RR. The third spot will take a weekend of work by a crew of the same size.

If you are interested and can help with these very worthwile projects in April and the first weekend in may, please respond to me by private message and we will schedule accordingly. Your help in this matter will greatly enhance the TSR experience!