I have not been able to locate any pictures of locomotive 4-8-2 SLSF 1525. Does anyone have a picture available, or know of a link to one? If not, can anyone tell me if it was equipped with the 'torpedo tubes' air reservoirs on the top of the boiler like SLSF 1524, 1526, and others?
Hi, Here is what I have on the 4-8-2 SLSF 1525. Also the link to where I found her. http://thelibrary.org/lochist/frisco/friscoline/steam11.cfm I hope this helps. Have a great day. Darren
Darren, I am so not the primary expert on the topic, but I do know that the first order of Mountains, SLSF 1500-1514, did not have the "torpedo tubes." The air reservoirs were located under the running boards. However, the subsequent order(s) from Baldwin used Walschaerts valve gear instead of the Baker type that was utilized on the first order. Hence, 4-8-2 SLSF 1515 and beyond had the air reservoirs placed topside. If I have butchered the correct numbers and orders, hopefully someone can correct! Best Regards,
There were three batches of 4-8-2 SLSF 1500s. - SLSF 1500-1514, Baldwin, 1923: Baker valve gear, air reservoirs under the running boards. - SLSF 1515-1519, Baldwin, 1925: Walschaerts valve gear, air reservoirs on top of boiler, sand dome back close to air reservoirs. - SLSF 1520-1529, Baldwin, 1926: Walschaerts valve gear, air reservoirs on top of boiler, sand dome somewhat more forward of air reservoirs. Smokebox doors were variable, important because they largely define the locomotive's face. The first series used the small doors, but several were re-fitted with a wide diameter door. The second series were all wide, and the third series were all small. Lots of other little detail differences also. Please see Joe Collias' book Frisco Power, page 155. They were all beautiful, but I favor the original series with the wide door and low tanks, as in 4-8-2 SLSF 1501 after her switch to oil and the addition of the wide smokebox door. That is the way she looked when I first met her in Rolla in 1960, my freshman year at MSM. Good looking locomotive! Ken
Yardmaster, I never got down to that point in the hobby. Even though I like the Frisco and have some equipment, I really do not have a favorite railroad. I like them all. If it runs on two ribbons of steel that is good enough for me. So keeping track of the finer details gets to be a little overwhelming to say the least. Anyway, I always thought that torpedo tubes were on submarines. If I had to pick a number one railroad, it would be the Wabash. My uncle was an engineer for them, simple as that. I just happened to have a picture of the 4-8-2 SLSF 1525 that Myopiceagle was looking to fins. As for knowing if it has torpedo tubes or not, I do not have a clue. However, I have dug around on the internet and found this information, so maybe it will help. http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mountain/?page=slsf Have a great day Darren
Ok, so here is my next question concerning 4-8-2 SLSF 1525 and others. I have a small reference book by Lloyd E. Stagner titled Frisco Steam Finale 1946-1952. In one of the tables it indicates that locomotives SLSF 1503, 1504, 1511, 1513, 1514, 1523, 1525, and 1528 were converted from oil to coal in 1948. Why were they converted? Oil seemed to be what most of the Frisco's steam power ran on by the late 1940s. Why convert them to coal? Any help with this mystery will be much appreciated. Sadly, all my money is going into my layout and so there will be no reward except my gratitude.
It was probably a period in time that oil started to become more expensive than coal. That was also after diesels were arriving. They probably were only going to be used in freight service. My opinion. Tom
It almost certainly was a matter of economics - coal being usually less costly than oil. So the SLSF converted some of the 1500s back to coal. At that time in the late 1940s, they were not all needed for passenger service any longer. But sometimes, oil was the more economical fuel. It depends on your geography. Most of the MKT's steam power, for example, ran on fuel oil rather than coal for all of their later life. In the Katy's territory - Texas, Oklahoma, etc., there was a lot of oil on line, and not much coal. Hence, oil cost less for them. Ken
A somber thing. At first I thought it was a train wreck, but it is a scrap yard. On the tender it says "save for the store" I wonder what that means?
While I too find the image quite sad, I cannot help but thank the Frisco for saving so many of the 1500s. Fully 1/6th of the fleet still survives including at least one from each of the three batches. I also have to thank those like Don Wirth and everyone from the St. Louis Steam Train Association (SLSTA) that made it possible for me to see one in action. I was also lucky enough to go for a wonderful trip up to Hannibal, MO and back. My dad, father-in-law and I sure enjoyed the trip especially as it passed my hometown. Thanks for the opportunity Denis! And thanks to all of the SLSF 1522 crew! Jerome
