The subject of TAs came up in the Inspection Pit. Here is an old photo where TA 602 is missing in action. It must have been out of service on Feb. 7, 1938 when Rock Island 47 had to pull the Budd built train set for the Texas Rocket. This was taken at Houston Union Station which is now Minute Maid Ball Park where the Houston Astros play.
Looks more like a recent era excursion train. Don't have my book handy- When were the TA units retired? Boxcab E50
I think they lasted until about 1956 or 57. None were saved and all were scrapped. This is what the train normally looked like parked at Houston Union Station. Looks like they hit something at a grade crossing.
I have seen a pic of a TA hauling a train down weed-choked tracks in Illinois after the train-offs and on the eve of Amtrak. At least one lasted far past the late fifties. And boy, did it look tired! I was amazed. I didn't think anyone kept any 201-A Winton engines alive that long. I can't imagine how much money the Rock spent trying to save money. As maintenance intensive as the 201-A was, I can only guess how many millions of dimes they spent to save a dollar... If I can figure out where I saw it, I'll post the info here. Wish me luck with that. And thanks for the great pic, straw! I love steam and stainless, but that old ten-wheeler on that articulated transet is beyond the pale! That's priceless.
Good question. The 'A' obviously means cab unit. The 'T' simply means, amusingly enough, Model T. If EMD chose the letter 'T' for any particular reason, I don't know what it is, but it sure is a long way down the alphabet from Model E, which was introduced at about the same time. It certainly doesn't stand for Twelve or Turbocharged, as they were powered by supercharged sixteens. And 'FT' seems to mean freight version of the Model T, even though EMD would probably deny that the 'F' in F-3A or F-3B or F-7A means freight, though they would admit that the 'P' in FP-7 does indeed mean passenger. Oh, and no, there were no TB boosters.
Well, I'm not having much luck finding that pic online. I know I'm going to have trouble remembering which library book had it. But I'll find it sooner or later. Meanwhile, I did find a fun pic of one with the second headlight added, m.u.ed with a DL-105 or -107... http://www.pbase.com/rocksosalla/image/125743541
Interesting combo with the TA and DL in the Twin Star. If indeed early 50's, I would have thought that an E7A and B would have been at point, even an E8/E7B if from 1952 onward.
I thought so. But I still like the articulated Budd trainset and the ancient ten-wheeler better. That's just pretty.
So... answer me this. Does anyone made a TA in HO or N scale? I seem to remember an N scale resin TA witht he articulated set... but no idea who made it. Help anyone?
Yeah, more articulated trainsets seem to me to be in order. I would think someone could do all right selling those with either a TA or the CB&Q 9908--a power/baggage/RPO from 1939 with half of the E3 mechanicals built for the General Pershing Zephyr. But, I can't blame the manufacturers for not doing it. Being a Santa Fe man, I myself would admire but resist temptation...
Well.. after a few weeks and and a couple of emails... I was hoping to get a response from this guy. A set in resin that would use commercially available running gear even would be better than nothing. This guy appears to be in business building Rock Island stuff because he had trouble finding what he wanted. His work looks great... maybe he is working on it and is too busy to answer the email? Heck, who knows? Maybe he will send me one just for giving him such a great idea! (HeHeHe.... not holding my breath).
