The following announcement has come across the boards, http://www.railroadartifactpreservation.org/Steam-Restoration.html The money quote.... After a quarter century of daily service she was retired in 1955. Fortunately escaping the scrapper, she was donated for static display to the city of Amarillo, Texas. After years of benign neglect, Amarillo businessman Sam Teague, a visionary railfan blessed with foresight and using his own resources, began a decade's long effort to save her. Initially his goal was moving her to a secure location open to public view, and completing a complete exterior refurbishment. Once those two goals were completed, she now stands clean and proud in a fenced park, Sam embarked on the nearly impossible goal of seeing her operate again. The next and final step is now at hand. Sam Teague has nearly reached his ultimate goal. Sam is overseeing the total rebuilding to operational standards of the Santa Fe's pioneer supreme steam locomotive 5000, the Madame Queen. End quote That is a lot of power. Regards, Kevin
