FL9

The news made the rounds last week while I was out in west Texas that 1901 ex-SP 2-6-0 #1744 has been granted another life.  Purchased in the late 1990’s by the FWWR as an intended backup engine for the 2248, the 1744 languished at 8th Avenue until its purchase and rebuilding by Rio Grande Pacific for use on their Big Easy Steam Train near New Orleans.  Here we see the engine during its first move on August 28th in 2000 at 8th Avenue as it makes its way over temporary track to live rail.

The 1744 was then lettered for the New Orleans & Gulf Coast.  Over the next week the engine ran on a series of break-in runs over the FWWR such as this one photographed in Trinity Park on a northbound run.

The New Orleans operation was shut down after only a few months due to lack of patronage, and the engine has been in storage there until its recent purchase by the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad for use over La Veta Pass between Alamosa and La Veta, Colorado.  Way to go Ed Ellis and Earl Knoob!