Texas & Pacific 610 Restoration

David Pearson of Ft. Worth became of the owner of T&P locomotive #610 in 1969 when the Southwest Exposition needed to dispose of it.

He paid $1.

Photo: Joe McMillan

When David Pearson heard about the American Freedom Train he knew just what to do.

Photo: David Geis

Pearson had been looking for a way to get it restored and running again. With a commitment from the AFT Foundation to let it pull the train in Texas, Pearson had all the inspiration he needed. Just not the money...

Help came in the form of Amon Carter, Jr., a local newspaper owner.

Photo: David Pearson collection.

Carter had a love of trains and the means to make things happen. He personally helped get the 610 project off the ground. (His father had helped make the Friendship Train Food Train effort of aid to war-torn Europe a success in the 1940s.)

Photo: David Pearson collection.

Restoration of the 610 was completed in the great outdoors (through freezing cold and blazing heat) without the aid of any heavy machinery - a testament to the spirit of the volunteers who made it fit to pull the American Freedom Train.

Photo: David Pearson collection.

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