Arizona Central's Summers Spring Shops completes their next restoration: Southern Pacific no. 2472 for the Golden Gate Railroad Museum in Schellville, CA. This was a project similar to my CP 2860 one, where an existing base model of the locomotive was reskinned (and some physical elements were remodeled), and had smoke textures, running gear, engine spec, and sounds replaced.
Shown simmering outside of the AZCR's steam shops being readied to run test trips from Flagstaff to Drake, AZ. The AZCR tests finished restorations on revenue excursions to make sure the locomotives are operating properly before returning them to the customer.
Awaiting the highball at the station in downtown Flagstaff for the first run of the day. The AZCR added a platform to the existing station, now mainly Flagstaff's "visitor's center", for excursions departing Flagstaff.
The "Canyon Diablo Limited" assaults the mile-long 2.5% grade while departing Flagstaff - this is the ruling grade of the line, and is often the reason for diesel helpers on passenger trains not pulled by the AZCR's normal locomotives.
No. 2472 winds her way towards Canyon Diablo at a brisk 20 mph.
On an off day, no. 2472 was brought to Mountainaire, AZ (south of Flagstaff) to visit the Railway Restoration Project 1297 group, the caretakers of Southern Pacific 0-6-0 no. 1297 (patterned after the real-life CNJ 113 group). This is the second SP locomotive to visit Mountainaire, following SP 1744 last year. No. 1297 runs a few push-pull excursions between Mountainaire and Flagstaff each year, operated with AZCR rolling stock.