If you're just now seeing this, GTW 5629 was almost saved by the Illinois Railway Musuem, but it was ultimately scrapped in 1987.
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Dang Dave, cleaning out your photo archives? Excellent. Keep 'em coming.
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What a depressing scene. I need a history lesson, was the Rock Island one of the largest railroad failures?
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Very interesting to see an ancient steam engine with modern boxcars. It's a shame GTW 5629 got scrapped though!
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I think the saddest part is that there's still coal in the tender.
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Good photo of one of the saddest stories in all of steam rail preservation.
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How can anyone in their right mind scrap a steam engine - a large 4-6-2, no less, as late as 1987?! Unreal. Glad you were there to capture the scene in 1981. Here's a shot of her running in 1956: HERE.
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And with all that coal in its tender?!
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Plus a extra point for Dave because of all the Rock Freight Cars.
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