Texas and Pacific 610 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Texas and Pacific 610
T&P No. 610 on static display at the Texas State Railroad
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Lima Locomotive Works Order number 1101 Serial number 7237 Build date June 1927
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-10-4  • UIC 1′E2′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 63 in (1,600 mm) Adhesive weight 300,000 lb (140,000 kilograms; 140 metric tons) Loco weight 452,000 lb (205,000 kilograms; 205 metric tons) Tender weight 277,166 lb (125,720 kilograms; 125.720 metric tons) Total weight 729,166 lb (330,744 kilograms; 330.744 metric tons) Fuel type Oil Fuel capacity 5,000 US gal (19,000 L; 4,200 imp gal) Water cap. 14,000 US gal (53,000 L; 12,000 imp gal) Boiler pressure 255 lbf/in2 (1.76 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 29 in × 32 in (737 mm × 813 mm) Valve gear Baker
Performance figures Tractive effort Loco: 92,590 lbf (411.9 kN), Booster: 13,300 lbf (59.2 kN), Loco W/ Booster: 105,890 lbf (471.0 kN) Factor of adh. 3.24
Career Operators Texas and Pacific Railway Southern Railway (1977–1981) Class I-1a Number in class 1st of 15 Numbers T&P 610 AFT 610 SOU 610 Retired 1951 (revenue service) 1981 (excursion service) Restored 1976 Current owner Texas State Railroad Disposition On static display at the Texas State Railroad History Museum, 789 PR 70, Palestine, Texas Texas & Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 610 U.S. National Register of Historic Places Texas & Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 610 Location in Texas Show map of Texas Texas & Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 610 Location in the United States Show map of the United States Area 1 acre (0.40 ha) NRHP reference No. 77001477 Added to NRHP March 25, 1977

The Texas and Pacific 610 is a huge steam locomotive. It was built in 1927 by the Lima Locomotive Works. This powerful engine was a "Texas" type locomotive, named for its special design. It was a real workhorse for the Texas and Pacific Railway (T&P).

Meet the Texas and Pacific 610!

The Texas and Pacific 610 was one of the largest steam locomotives ever built by Lima Locomotive Works. It was designed to pull heavy freight trains across long distances. This engine was very important for moving goods in Texas.

A Giant on Rails

The T&P 610 is a "2-10-4" type locomotive. This number tells you how its wheels are arranged.

• It has 2 small wheels at the front.
• Then, 10 large driving wheels in the middle. These are the wheels that move the train.
• Finally, 4 smaller wheels at the back.

This design helped it pull very heavy loads.

From Workhorse to Museum Piece

By the early 1950s, many old steam locomotives were being replaced. The Texas and Pacific Railway decided to scrap most of its "Texas" type engines. But they saved two: No. 610 and No. 638.

In 1951, No. 610 was given to the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. It was put on display at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. There, it sat for many years.

A Special Comeback

In 1976, the T&P 610 got a new job! It was restored to help pull the American Freedom Train. This special train traveled across the United States to celebrate the country's 200th birthday. The 610 pulled the train through Texas.

After this big event, the locomotive was leased by the Southern Railway in 1977. They used it for their special steam train trips. The engine was even renamed "Southern 610" for a few years. It ran these trips for four years before returning to Texas in 1982.

Where Is It Now?

After its time with the Southern Railway, the 610 was displayed in Fort Worth. Later, it was moved to the Texas State Railroad.

Today, the Texas and Pacific 610 is on display at the Texas State Railroad History Museum in Palestine, Texas. It is the only "Texas" type locomotive from the T&P that still exists. It is also the largest non-articulated steam locomotive built by Lima Locomotive Works that has been saved. Its sister engine, No. 638, was sadly scrapped later on.

The T&P 610 is a very important part of history. It is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special place or object worth protecting.