(The following story by Dave Bergmeier appeared at Abilene-rc.com on December 4, 2008)
ABILENE, Tx – Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association members gave steam engine fans an early Christmas present on a picture-perfect day Tuesday afternoon.
The association’s Baldwin 1919 steam engine rolled down the excursion line tracks to a loud applause and warm smiles.
When the train engineers pulled the whistle, the sound could be heard throughout Abilene.
“Yes it is,” said Joe Minick, engineer in charge, when asked if Tuesday’s test run was another great day in what has been more than a decade-long process in restoring the train to running state. “Super.”
Minick said the important business of the day came in the morning when the Federal Railroad Administration gave a series of tests to certify the engine was safe.
“We did really well,” Minick said.
The administrators outlined a list of items that needed to be addressed in advance of Tuesday’s inspection, he said. There are a few minor items that need to be addressed, he said, but it was an important day in the process.
Tuesday’s event to bring the Baldwin locomotive to the train depot on the north side of Old Abilene Town was also an opportunity to let the public see the locomotive. And in its debut, it was evident the steam engine was a huge hit.
“It was nice to see all the people come out and enjoy,” he said.
The peek also served as a teaser. Minick said the next time he expected the train to be officially unveiled to the public will be in May. By then the train should be painted and allow time for any other inspections.
The Baldwin steam locomotive is going to be a part of the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association’s excursion train experience, he said. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association has plans to operate the steam engine as part of its excursion train operation. Plans are not finalized, but officials have indicated they would like to run the engine on a special schedule.
Since the restoration of the train started in the late 1990s when it was moved from Eisenhower Park, tourism officials say that the addition of a steam engine to Abilene’s tourism arsenal will be a major asset in attracting visitors here.
The engine last ran on the tracks in 1954 and was donated to the city and Abilene donated it to the Abilene-Smoky Valley Railroad Association.