Over the past several years, U.S. Sugar has been restoring the 148, a 4-6-2 "Pacific" steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Works (ALCo) Richmond shops in April of 1920 (over a century ago). Originally the 148 was a Florida East Coast (FEC) passenger engine, including working passenger trains on the famous (infamous?) "Overseas Railroad", the now abandoned rail line to Key West, Florida.
After retirement by the FEC, the 148 was sold to U.S. Sugar in 1952, at which time it joined several of its brethren hauling sugar instead of people. After the 148 was retired from sugar service and sold, it bumped around several places, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Colorado.
U.S. Sugar reacquired the locomotive in 2016, and has since restored the beautiful Pacific to operating condition.
-not my photo.
Check out their website for more:
Unfortunately, with the Covid crisis, the tourism aspect of the restored loco has been severely curtailed, so no events are scheduled at this time.
Hopefully things will soon change for the better and the 148 can receive the publicity it deserves!
As a side note, the 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement is one of my personal favorite steam loco types, so I was very happy to see another one restored to operating condition to join the ranks of operating American steam.
Great restoration-beautiful steam engine