My Favorite Steam Locomotive: the Atlantic Coast Line #1504

[amtraklover]

Kinda looks like A&WP 290 a little bit

[KingofTomedy]

This would be quite a sight to see it operating again. :)

[boazrg]

Unlike some of the steam engines still running excursion service, this is a very old locomotive, with all that entails. Too bad. I remember steam in revenue service. I was in Grammar school in the fifties, and there were still some steamers around, especially in the summer, when freight traffic picked up.

[yepimkilla]

My Grandfather worked for the Atlantic Coast Line out of Waycross in the 30's. I've heard some stories about him running a steamer through the yard at full blast and getting everyone's hackles up. Don't know if it's all true or just legend. Anybody know the history of this loco? Unfortunately he died in 1981 when I was 5. Didn't get to hear any stories first hand. Maybe someone else's relatives worked out of Waycross at the time. Would love to hear any stories. yepimkilla@aol.com

[bjohnson23601]

my Grandfather was the last to fire this engine. He retired a Enginer for CSX/ Seaboard Coastline.

He is rolling the engines up in the golden roads!!

his name was very well known thru the Engineers " C.O.McKinney" Or The Called him "Mac" .

I remember as a young boy during the summers riding with him on his engine out of Starke. sitting on the Jumper seats in the Engine house and rolling all thru the country side!!

Great days and Great times!!

[nerfhead589]

i live near alco they are taring it down and building condos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GothicRunes]

I've been hoping that if commuter rail ever becomes a reality on the Florida East Coast mainline, then 1504 could pull the first passenger train down there in decades. Right now it doesn't look like like CSX wants anything to do with this locomotive anytime soon.

[slambert71]

First of all, if I remember correctly the drivers (wheels) on that locomotive are 68 inches, so just under 6 feet. Also, there are far more then 5 steam locomotives running just in this country alone. The Union Pacific has TWO, there is a Soo Line, a Milwaukee Road, and a Southern Pacific just off the top of my head. Then there is the Cumbres & Toltec railroad still running 4 locomotives itself. This is a great locomotive, but far from the "Last of its kind".

[laphin]

Geez, that thing is a beast!

[TVRM610]

I've seen this locomotive when I went to the Gator Bowl with the Marching Band in 2008/9

[alectricfoxx]

I hope your team won! Sorry for not responding to your comment sooner.

Glad you got to see the steamer girl. I'm really hoping (and as far as I've heard), #1501 is destined to steam again! CSX didn't prop her up in a forgotten parking lot just to rust away. Wouldn't it be fun to hear her roar again? qqsssss, shsss. chufff. pssss, chuufff. chssss

OK. Steam Engines don't roar, but they sure as hell make a lot of noise.

Caution: HOT : ) Thanks, TVRM610 for caring! =^.^=

[TVRM610]

We got last in the marching competition because only about half our band went, and we got second in the parade competition. And where is the #1501? I've heard of alot of steamers here in the USA, but never the #1501. I thought #1504 was the last surviving ACL Steamer.

[alectricfoxx]

TVRM610, Big mistake by me in response to you about the #1501 and #1504. The two engines were sisters to each other as far as their route. As far as I know #1501 would steam North from St. Petersburg, FL and #1504 would steam South from Jacksonville,FL. They were time-separated by about and hour. Gainesville, where I'm at, is about the midway; they stopped for eating. There was a spur to the south of G-ville for passing each other. Sorry to say this to ya :( that #1501 is melted down =^.^=

[SDCvirgo16]

Pretty cool, Foxx! We watched all your videos..very informative and interesting. We love you!

-Matt & Steph