Galveston Railroad Museum Secretary Dr. Don Harper was the museum’s representative in Greenville, South Carolina on Saturday for the roll-out of two newly painted engines that will replace equipment that was damaged by Hurricane Ike. YouTube Video

“I'm used to a relatively light weight switch engine that is very responsive to the throttle,” Harper said, describing his participation as driver of the vehicles. “When I moved the throttle on this unit to notch 1, nothing happened.  I waited a few seconds and still nothing happened, so I moved the throttle to notch 2 and it finally started to move.”  

Harper said there was an engine on the track ahead of him and he wasn't sure of the braking capability, so he stopped part way out before moving forward to get the second unit out of the shed.

“These two units replace two F-units that were basically destroyed by Hurricane Ike's flood and had to be cut up,” he said.  “They are currently scheduled to be brought to Galveston in September.”