Being a true rail buff I had to work in seeing a train on our visit if I could and I was surprised to discover that in the area of Lufkin there were a total of three preserved steam locomotives on display at various sites.
We had just finished having a wonderful afternoon at the Naranjo Museum of Natural History and there was just enough time to sneak in a visit to one of these exhibits. The closest one to us was Locomotive 13 at The History Center in nearby Diboll.
The museum itself is a wonderful collection of historical items pertaining to the once vast lumber industry in the area. There is a similar museum here in Louisiana called the Southern Forest Heritage Museum which is an actual old lumber mill complex including old railroad equipment. This museum may not have been an actual old mill complex but it is a top notch attraction non the less.
Like the museum here the main focus is on the lumber railroads that operated in the area and The Heritage Center has a perfectly preserved logging train including 4-6-0 steamer #13, a logging car, and an ex Santa Fe caboose painted in Texas South Eastern colors.
Unlike the Red River and Gulf here in central Louisiana, which ceased operation in the early 1950s, the Texas South Eastern operated #13 until 1964. In contrast the existing RR&G locomotives were abandoned for decades and are just now being restored the locomotive here in Diboll has been kept in great condition and has been on display since its fire was extinguished.
Here is a little information on the locomotive from The History Center website:
Built new for Texas Southeastern Railroad of Diboll, Texas (TSE) in 1920 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Engine 13 is a 68-ton 4-6-0 or Ten-Wheeler steam locomotive. It was used regularly by TSE and Southern Pine Lumber Company (SPLCo) of Diboll as a mainline logging engine until replaced by TSE diesel-electric locomotive 22 in 1956. It then served extra duty periodically until 1964, when it was retired and placed on display. Temple-Inland donated the Engine to The History Center in 2002.
You can actually download a more detailed history of the locomotive from The History Center website - HERE
If you ever find yourself in eastern Texas a visit to The History Center in Diboll is a must!
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