KCS gondola restoration project. Pictures from lef to right: left side before restoration, 13 Jan 2005; Restoration in progress, 24 Jan 2005; Restoration of left side complete, 15 Feb 2005; A end and right side complete, 2 Jul 2005.

Southern Pacific engine 314 was the first piece of rolling stock to be cosmetically restored in many years. Beginning in 1998, the smokebox, boiler and cab were sanded to bare metal, coated with rust converter, primed and painted. Painting was completed in 1999 in time for the first Santa's Whistlestop train show at the Museum, and coincided with the opening of the HO-scale model railroad display. 314 was repainted in November and December 2003, and the trim, rods and wheels were painted white. The right side of the tender was also painted. Still to be done is the left side of the tender and some parts of the cab.

Waco, Beaumont, Trinity & Sabine #1 was cosmetically restored in May 2004, just prior to a gala event. Volunteer Zac Armstrong, three of his buddies, and board member Don Harper applied gloss black paint to the engine and tender. Valve handles and window sashes were painted red and the trim, rods and wheel rims were painted white.

Cosmetic restoration on Engine 555 began in 2004. Volunteer Frank Mohler and board member Don Harper removed flaking paint and rust and painted the boiler and cab black. The cab roof was in bad shape and was sanded to bare metal, primed and painted. The smokebox was painted silver. Still to be done: parts of the pilot deck, the tender left side and end, the inside of the cab, the rods and wheels.

Santa Fe tank car, built in 1915. Used to carry gasoline and diesel fuel. Before restoration photo taken in May 2005. The 2 during restoration photos taken in October 2005. The last photo was taken December 2006.

Victor Garcia has been painting 1303

Jake Mosqueda, TAMUG student, working in the yard