Some thoughts on Strasburg's 90 and Pennsy's Hippos

[DS4-4-1000]

So are you saying that those of us who live in the East and are physically (or financially) unable to travel long distances should never be allowed the opportunity to see a Big Boy?  And those in Texas in similar situations should never be allowed to see a GG1?

[Anonymous]

Don't misunderstand me Dave, I'm thankful that #90 is alive and well but if I could wish upon a star she'd be back home in Colorado.  I feel the same about other misplaced locomotives that are far from their original home rails. 

A few examples:

SP #4460   This Warbaby 4-8-4 belongs at the California RR Museum in Sacramento!

Union Pacific   Big Boy 4006 4012 and 4017 all belong out West!

Texas & Pacific 610   She should be returned from the Piney Woods of East Texas and placed on display at the Stockyards in North Ft. Worth.

PRR GG1 4903   No GG1 should have to suffer such a fate melting away under the hot Texas sun!

D&RGW #464   Stuck in Michigan, she's homesick for Colorado Rocky Mountain High!

There are many more.  Add yours to the list!

 

 

[daveklepper]

I was fortunate enough to visit Strasburg when the E-6 was still in steam.  But to me. there is something just about 90 being the workhorse.  The PRR was profitable for years because of coal.  Amd coal meant lots of I-1s.  I suspect the PRR owned more 2-10-0's than any other North American railroad, possibly as many as all the rest together!  Ands there must have been many of them passing Leaman Place before the line was electrified.  With coal drags and only one on the point.

Admittadly the looks of 90 are more graceful than an I-1s, more like a typical North American locomotive than the very unique only-PRR appearance of an I-1s.  But still it is a Decopad.  Hope she's around for centuries to come.