The Texas from the Great Locomotive Chase 1862

The Texas is the Confederate 4-4--0 steam locomotive that won the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862.

Built in 1956 by Danforth, Cooke and Company in New Jersey, the Texas hauled passenger and freight trains on the Western and Atlantic Railroad (W&ARR) in Georgia, before the American Civil War.

On April 12 1862, the Texas was hauling a a train from Dalton to Atlanta in Georgia, when she was commandeered by William Fuller to chase down Union saboteurs lead by James Andrews in the General. Andrews was attemting to destroy this key strategic railroad of the Confederacy which linked Georgia with the Western secessionist states.

Steaming in reverse and jettisoning railcars along the way, the Texas pursued the Andrews and the General for over 50 miles until the Union band abandoned their engine and fled. After which the Texas towed the General back and then picked up its 21 cars and continued onto Atlanta - although arriving somewhat late!

The Texas moved to Virginia for the rest of the Civil War, but then moved back to Georgia and the W&ARR. She was saved from the scrap pile in 1911 and restored. She was then moved to the Atlanta Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta in 1927, where she now rests in a place of honour.