Problem to be Solved

In 1957 an antique locomotive was moved to Hermann Park by “leap frogging” track sections in front while it drove on steam power to its’ supposed final resting place. Forty-eight years later “the choo choo” was getting a new home, but leaving the same way it came in was not an option.

The Houston office of Barnhart Crane & Rigging was contacted by the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. to move the historic steam locomotive Number 982, from its’ home on the lake at the Houston Zoo in Hermann Park to Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros’ baseball stadium. The move would require maneuvering though city streets and an urban environment, while escaping Houston’s grueling traffic patterns.


The Barnhart Solution.

After months of meetings and planning the city determined a 20-mile route to move the locomotive four miles. Hours of engineering were spent to determine how to lift the locomotive and place it on tracks in Downtown Houston.

The locomotive was lifted with an 800 ton hydraulic gantry and loaded onto a 15-axle Goldhofer hydraulic platform trailer. Night movement was required due to overhead obstructions, Houston’s world famous traffic congestion, and the need to travel after hours when cars were not parked on the narrow route. After making the 20-mile trip in a little over six hours, under the scrutiny of a devoted crowd of railroad enthusiasts and a dedicated film crew from The History Channel, the locomotive arrived at the destination where the 800 ton gantry was ready and waiting.

Finally, Old No. 982 was lowered onto the tracks and history was made once again.

Equipment Used in this Project

• Hydraulic Gantry