Saturday, January 12, 2008

Round Robin - Madame Queen

This is my first week participating in the Round Robin of Photographs. I got here via the Nekkid Lizards (how many lizards do you know that wear clothes?) and because of the topic.


Trains. My husband loves trains. Me? Not so much. But I love my husband. I also just happen to have some photos of a really cool train move.


The "Madame Queen" is an AT&SF 5000. She was the prototype and was built in 1930, converted from coal to fuel-oil in 1940 and was retired in 1953. She has been on display in Amarillo, TX since 1957.


In 2005, the City of Amarillo and the Railroad Artifacts Preservation Society arranged to have her moved to a permanent display by Messer Construction of Hereford, TX. This move was filmed by the History Channel as part of their MegaMovers series.


Here are some pictures of the move.
Below is my favorite picture. It shows how they "Leapfrogged" the track. The crew from Messer Construction would lay a section of track on the street, they would move the Queen down the track, pick up the track behind her, move it in front of her and so on. Just amazing. The Queen did not move under her own power but with the assistance of some heavy duty construction equipment. No trains were damaged in the making of this blog. Good job, guys!

16 comments:

ChrisB said...

You took a great set of photos for your first entry. I have been seen some very good 'round robin' photos today.

Shorty said...

gotta love them trains !!!!!!!!!!

Carly said...

Hello Sandy :)

And welcome to the Round robin Challenges. I so happy to have you join us for this week's challenge. :) You did a super job of showing us a very interesting train. :) Excellent all they way around. I hope you will join us again. We will be announcing a new challenge tomorrow. :) Take good care, and once again, WELCOME!


All my best, Carly :)

Pamela said...

wow... I'd loved to been in one of those pictures (otherwise known as been there)

Unknown said...

That is so cool! I wondered why they didn't just use regular tracks until you said that she didn't move on her own volition. Cool set of pictures and nice history lesson!

MyMaracas said...

What a great set of photos of a once-in-a-lifetime event! I really enjoyed these. Welcome to the Robins!

Karen Funk Blocher said...

That is pretty amazing! It's about what was probably done with the train I visited today, but I certainly wasn't there when it was moved. Great pics!

Karen Funk Blocher said...

Oh,, and I forgot to say, welcome to the Robins! You're off to a great start!

Anonymous said...

Wowsers!! I love your post! Such a neat picture story. Unbelievable how they did the leap frog thing and moved that hunk of steel. So glad no trains were damaged and the Queen made it. Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful job and showing here! bet it was fun to watch as well. :)

Sandra said...

Now that is what I call a train! Magnificant! I can only imagine what people who saw it new, coming down the track, must of thought. Thanks for sharing...

Gattina said...

That was quite a job of moving this big lady ! People look like dwarfs beside her, lol !
Welcome to the Round Robins !

Suzanne R said...

This is such an interesting entry. I enjoyed it very much. The engineering you describe in moving this train is so clever!

Welcome to the Robins!

barrettmanor said...

Welcome to the Robins! That's a fascinating story told through pictures.

Anonymous said...

These are really neat photos. I really enjoyed this entry!
Martha ~ http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Janet said...

loved loved loved the 4th picture down...what a sky!

 
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