Houston Jaycees

In 1957 Southern Pacific Railroad gave steam engine, SP 982, to the Houston Jaycees and the City of Houston as co-owners through city ordinance #57-612. She was brought to Houston as a symbol of our city seal and as a constant reminder of our heritage. Because of the importance of rail to our city, Houston was once known as the city where 17 railroads meet the sea. Built in 1919, SP 982 is a rare tangible object of this historic moment in Houston, Texas and American history. The engine represents the end of the industrial revolution and the importance of rail in Houstons growth and success as a great city. She is the only real symbol or our city seal in the Houston area. After logging 3.5 million miles, the locomotive is credited with helping settle the great state of Texas. While hundreds were built in America, today there are only two engines of her type remaining in existence.

SP 982 was almost lost forever and dismantled for scrap metal. An alternate site was found that would require the sale and move of the locomotive to a location out of reach of the general public. The Houston Jaycees were made to act, impeded with a deadline, to preserve this important piece of history. Due to the new master plan of Hermann Park not including the steam engine - Operation Choo Choo II was born. Named after the first project which brought the steam engine from downtown Houston to Hermann Park, Operation Choo Choo II included not only moving the steam engine, but asbestos abatement; restoration of the engine and tender; locate, acquire and prepare the new site; relocation of SP 982 and her continued preservation.

On August 24 - 28, 2005, SP 982 was moved into downtown 169 years afther the Allen brothers founded Houston. She was placed in a center of activity at the corner of Texas Avenue and Avenidas de las Americas between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Union Station /Minute Maid Park. The City of Houston donated the land where she sits which provides maximum exposure and places the locomotive across downtown from the former Southern Pacific Grand Central Station and approximately one mile from the first railroad in Texas inaugurated on September 7, 1853. The History Channel filmed the move of SP 982 for their Mega Movers series. Along with the move, SP 982 and Houstons important rail history were spotlighted.

The addition of SP982 to downtown helps to accomplish our citys goal of making downtown more family friendly. Plans include placing historic markers, a thank you plaque and historic information at the new site. In the future we would like to light her up at night, make her bell ring by simply pushing a button on the fence and make her smoke stack smoke once again giving downtown Houston an animated and interactive historic display. Kids are sure to delight in our 188-ton antique treasure. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Operation Choo Choo II was a true community effort. From financial donors to individuals fighting the elements to restore her -

Jaycee Urban Development Foundation, Halliburton, Houston Downtown Management District, Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce Foundation, City of Houston, Houston Convention and Entertainment Facilities Dept., Houston Astros Baseball Club, Barnhart Crane & Rigging, Honesty Environmental, Union Pacific, Vaughn Construction, Port Terminal Rail Association, Specialized Rail Transport, NARSTCO, Menard Railroad Material, Trac-work, Walter P. Moore and Associates, Perma Craft Builders, Houston Steel Service, Rust Bullet, Lowes Home Improvement, Valspar Paint, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP, Sue Davis Communications, LD Systems, Marble Slab Creamery on Holcombe, Home Plate Bar & Grill, Greg Harbars The Gypsies, Doug Ashcraft, The Honorable Charles Bacarisse, Jonathon Black, Bob Borochoff, Bob Boudreaux, Boy Scout Troop #498, David Brower, The Honorable Jack Cato, David Chaumette, Chick-fil-A Galleria, Susan Christian, Russell Clark, Yvonne Clayton, Eileen Colgin, The Honorable Geoff Connor, Rick Costello, Marta Crinejo, Randall Crump, Richard Davenport, Sue Davis, Leigh Ann Dawson, Andy Diraddo, Joel Draught, Al Dykes, Jim Edmonds, David Edwards, The Honorable Mark Ellis, Bob Eury, Bob Felix, Bobby Forest, Jason Fuller, Monsignor Golasinski, The Honorable Mark Goldberg, Tommy Graves, Guy Hagstette, Jeanne Haner, Gladys Harrison, Jim Harrison, Anna Hawley, Darrell Himel, Chantana Hiran, Nick Hiran, The History Channel, Craig Holley, Home Plate Bar & Grill, The Honorable Pam Holm, Houston Astros Baseball Club, Houston City Council, Houston Public Works and Engineering, Houston Police Department, Mike Howard, Kamal Hussein, The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, Incarnate Word Acadamy, Lisa Johnson, Robert Johnson, Fred King, Otmar Kolber, Greg Lall, The Honorable Bob Lanier, Richard Lapin, Jeff Larson, Steven Lewis, Beverly Loftis, Jack Loftis, Rob Matwick, Mayors Office of Special Events, Drayton McLane, Bob Menard, Ray Miller, RJ Montgomery, Jeff Moseley, Amanda Moyers, Calvin Nelson, Dean Nelson, Stella Pereira, Felicia Provada, Pete Radowick, The Honorable Gordon Quan, Greg Radler, T. Rebagay, Jessica Ritter, Saint Arnolds Brewery, St. Thomas High School, Joe Sanchez, Tom Schneider, Jim Settles, Mike Simpson, John Sorrentino, Johnny Soto, Danny Thompson, Ricky Thompson, Chris Travis, Dawn Ullrich, Bobby Vasquez, Helen Welch, The Honorable Louie Welch, The Honorable Bill White, Jim Yates, 44 Blue Productions.