As discussed in a few other threads, High Iron Company sponsored numerous steam powered excursions during the period of the late 60s through the early 70s. With the generous cooperation of the railroads involved, operations were concentrated in the east. HICO got its steam operations started with Canadian Pacific G5d 1278. Part of the Steamtown collection, HICO founder Ross Rowland worked closely with F. Nelson Blount to secure the locomotive's services. Following its retirement from CP, the 1278 was modified with an Elesco feedwater heater, repainted for the Monadnock, Steamtown & Northern and renumbered 127. The 127 proved to be an excellent excursion engine, pulling fully loaded HICO excursion consists of up to 17 cars at track speed. As seen at a few points in the following video, diesel helpers were added for grades when necessary but the 127, along with CP G5 sisters 1238 and 1286, turned in excellent performances and the G5s earned a special place in the hearts of many northeastern fans. Approximately the first half of the film consists of scenes of a trip which was run from from Jersey City to Jim Thorpe over the CNJ in 1966. This was the very first main line steam trip I rode. I was 8 years old at the time. During that trip and several additional HICO outings, I spent a lot of time aboard that blue baggage car. Memories don't get much better than that.
The 127/1278 was subsequently acquired by the Gettysburg Railroad and was involved in the much publicized boiler incident at Gardeners while on its way to Mount Holly Springs with a dinner train in 1995. It is now in Mr. Jacobson's collection. May we all have the good fortune to see the 1278 run again one day.
Bob
