HISTORY

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad's Steam Locomotive No. 2248, affectionately known as Puffy, is a product of the Cooke Locomotive Works of Paterson, NJ. Built in 1896, #2248 was called a "heavy mountain-class" locomotive as indicated on the original Cooke drawings.

The 4-6-0, or 10-wheeler, was built for and used by Southern Pacific long past the time that many steam engines had been replaced by diesels. This extension of life was due to #2248 being converted to a fire control "pumper" locomotive and assigned to the Northern California mountain district to fight forest, wooden snow shed and tunnel fires. As more modern fire control methods became available, #2248 was remodeled and assigned to exhibition train service as a ceremonial engine for the Southern Pacific.

When her flue time ran out in late 1959, she was retired and purchased by a private collector, Charles T. Brown. He and Walt Disney had plans to build a full-size steam railroad around Griffith Park in Los Angeles. These plans never materialized. In 1974, #2248 was purchased by the Texas State Railroad and was painted blue with red trim in honor of the United States Bicentennial. Again, the locomotive became obsolete after five years of service and was stored in Rusk, Texas.

In 1990, #2248 was purchased by the Fort Worth and Western Railroad and was fully restored at the 8th Avenue Yard in Fort Worth. Puffy was placed in service in January 1992 and is the only operational steam locomotive in Texas that dates from the 19TH century.

Passenger Coaches - The Grapevine Vintage Railroad's four 1925 day coaches were purchased from the Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The décor of the day coaches dates to 1908 with new upholstery, wooden doors and trim, light fixtures, brass appointments, art glass clerestory windows and window shades. These passenger cars are the only coaches operating in Texas with 19TH Century ambiance.

Each luxurious coach contains enough walkover (bi-directional) seating for 72 guests. For onboard comfort, each car contains ceiling fans and a complete water closet. The windows in each car may be opened allowing passengers to experience the true essence of rail travel as it was at the turn of the century. The day coaches were put into service in January 1992.

Touring Coaches - The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has two open air touring coaches built in 1927 by the American Car Foundry for the Wabash Railroad. The Fort Worth and Western Railroad purchased them from the Smoky Hill Railway Museum in Belton, Missouri. Both coaches mirror the décor of the day coaches with the exception of windows. The touring coaches have arched openings along their lengths with wrought iron railings for passenger safety. Each are complemented with full-service bars. Riders experience an open-air feel as they travel. Windows are installed during the winter months for passenger comfort. These touring coaches began service in September 1993.

The "Cotton Belt Route" -- Today the Grapevine Vintage Railroad operates over approximately 21 miles of the Cotton Belt line, linking the historic communities of Grapevine, Colleyville, Smithfield and Fort Worth's historic Stockyards.

This route was the first serious attempt to develop an extended railroad system on the North American continent. The builders dreamed of a narrow gauge route from St. Louis to Eagle Pass, Texas, on the Mexican border and on to the capital of the Aztec Republic. Within a decade of its inception in 1877, the pioneer builders extended its rails to the "up and coming" community of Fort Worth, primarily as an outlet for lumber along its line.

The Cotton Belt Route arrived in Grapevine in 1888. Grapevine's depot served the community until 1972 when it was officially closed by the company. Passenger service along this route was discontinued about 1930.

The "Trinity River Route" --in Fort Worth offers visitors an opportunity to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of "Cowtown, USA." After arriving in Fort Worth from Grapevine, the locomotive pulls onto the ca. 1925 turntable to head south for a 10-mile trek along the famous Chisholm Trail. Puffy travels across the western edge of downtown Fort Worth to the southwestern area of the city, crossing both the West and Clear Forks of the Trinity River on large trestles that offer spectacular views of the Fort Worth skyline not seen from city streets. This is the area roamed by American Indians, buffalo, and even an outlaw or two. The one-hour journey goes through Trinity Park near Fort Worth's Cultural District and the Fort Worth Zoo.