20 Nov #11 Reno Locomotive Built in 1872 Resides at Old Tucson Studios
Old Tucson Studios is home to a locomotive legend, the Reno. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1872, the Reno originally saw service on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. By the time Metro-Goldwyn Mayer purchased the Reno in 1945, she had already starred in two films: Courage of the West and Cecil B. Demille's Union Pacific. Old Tucson Studios purchased the Reno in 1970 and her filmography now totals more than 100 films including How the West Was Won. Like any good actor she knows the show must go on. She refused to let the devastating fire that swept Old Tucson Studios in 1995 and destroyed nearly 40% of the buildings end
her acting career. After significant cosmetic surgery she returned to the silver screen in the 1997 film Wild Wild West. Read the entire history of the Reno in Virginia & Truckee....
Go2Seven
Posted at 06:29h, 21 NovemberThe buzz word, as I recall, is “cosmetic.”
Sonoita
Posted at 12:38h, 22 NovemberNot everyone is happy about the Reno being at Old Tucson – in June 2005, the following article was written about the Reno in Trainorders.com:
So, that’s how she stands; alone in the desert, with a patched together boiler, a bolted on stack, and a black dress. She seems to be forgoten, her brass tarneshed as black as the paint of her funeral gown. With her crippled condition, and no possible demand for her in sight, it seems as though she is doomed to rot in the Arizona sun.
When I went to Old Tucson today, I was hoping to see that the Reno had at least some care taken of her. But to see that the moment she returned, she was dumped on a ragged peice of track, and untouched since she came home, I was outraged. I have never felt such sorrow before, and I have never been so passionate about anything as I am about her now. What is really agrivating, is that in brosiours and on their website, you are made to believe that she is about the most important thing there, that she is in perfect shape with shining brass and colorful paint. Unfortunatly this is not the case. I really would not be upset at all, if they had shown at least a little caring for her. But it was clearly evident that they have resigned her to the desert. As such, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of rage against Old Tucson.
You can go to this website to read the entire article written about the Reno:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,938381
anonymous
Posted at 17:22h, 22 Novemberanniversary next year…140?
Don Woodard
Posted at 09:07h, 08 JulyI was inspired to create a relief wood carving of Reno after visiting Old Tucson several years ago. I enjoyed reading the history of this grand locomotive and have included it with the carving, which will be displayed at multiple art shows in Colorado.
Kurt Anderosn
Posted at 23:26h, 10 AugustIn the mid 80s i had the priviledge to work on #11. Working for TF Walker & Co, a local Tucson company,, we retubed the boiler, repaied the main steam pipe, and even fixed a crack in the steam dome
John Macleod
Posted at 15:16h, 19 DecemberJust seen a new YouTube done video flyover of the studio’s, the Reno and the tender are gone. Whats going on???