This is a nice view of TSRR engine 300 . Engineer Roger Graham was running 300 up from a Y that was back off in the woods and the 300's echo through the forest was wonderful. Here is video of 300 backing into the shop yard after a day's run.

This is TSRR engine 400, which is also a very beautiful, smooth running engine, as you can hear. I'm in the cab when I recorded this so the whistle is distorted. One Exciting feature of the TSRR runs is that one train leaves Rusk and the another train leaves Palestine, TX and the first train to reach a side track gets off and waits for the other to pass. I was aboard 300 waiting and you could just begin to see 400's headlight coming up the line as its whistles echoed through the forest. This is one of my favorite sounds. This is video of the drivers as we are heading to Palestine.

This is TSRR engine 201. Again, from inside the cab, the whistle is distorted because it's just too loud for the camcorder. On this run the 201 was pulling 6 full cars and that’s about its limit. The 201 is the TSRR's oldest and smallest engine. As you can hear, 201 has a "nice bark to her exhaust", says TSRR shop superintendent Blair Levell. The normal speed on the line is 25-30mph, but there was one tough hill that we slowed to 5mph with the throttle almost all the way out. I have never seen such an impressive sight as this. The exhaust blasts were more like shotgun fire, I mean my ears were ringing! It was just something to behold, and demonstrated how mighty these machines are. Engineer Roger Graham bragged with a smile, "I could have done it with 7 cars"

The 610 is the TSRR's biggest locomotive and is stored inside on the Palestine end of the line. It is pulled out of the shed for viewing, as it was on this day. As you can see, it is kept in very good condition and, as Mr. Lavell says, is in running condition. But, he adds, for it to be in regular service it does need repair work done on some of the spring rigging because it sags a bit, as well as a few other minor areas. He says the TSRR trackage can handle 610's weight now but its too costly to run especially since it would be like pulling a child's wagon with an 18 wheeler.

 This is the infamous SP 4449 Daylight as it came through Lake Charles, LA in 1984 for the World's Fair in New Orleans. This was my first

 Time to see real life mainline steam and I was mesmerized! Back in 1984, video cameras were not easy to find so I filmed this on an old 8mm film movie camera, which is what these pictures are taken from. I recorded the sound on cassette.

This is the Fort Worth & Western 2248 also known as the Tarantula Train. Another great engine, that used to be part of the TSRR fleet. Its black and brass looks very regal. The 2248's whistle almost sounds like it going 90mph. It reminds me of the trains in the roadrunner and coyote cartoons. Click here to see the Tarantula 2248 arriving back at the Grapevine Station.

This is The Galveston Center For Transportation and Commerce, Railroad Museum's 314. Don Harper has been working hard on 314 and it is now in being repainted as well as de-rusted. They also now have engine 555 back from Texas City. 555 was the engine that used to make runs back and forth to Houston. You can check all this out on their excellent web site by clicking here!

This is KCS 503 in a park in Port Arthur, TX. Boy I'd love to see it run, or at least protected from the weather and vandals.

Another engine I'd love to see run, but at least its under cover now, is the DeQuincy, LA 124 switcher engine . This picture was taken during the annual Railroad Days celebration so the fence gate was open and visitors (kids) could climb all over it.