4003

Discussion in '2-8-2 Mikado' started by Turky44, Oct 2, 2020.

  1. Turky44

    Turky44 Member

    4003 - Taken - 10-1-2020
    IMG_1891.jpg
     
  2. Turky44

    Turky44 Member

    4003 - Taken 12-31-2020 IMG_3538.jpg
     
  3. mark

    mark Staff Member Staff Member

    Photographs were taken at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum at 100 S. 4th St., Fort Smith, Arkansas.

    This Mikado class (2-8-2 wheel arrangement) locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in 1919. The locomotive was constructed during the nationalization of America's railroads during World War I under the United States Railroad Administration (USRA). It was part of an order originally destined for the Pennsylvania Railroad. However, that line rejected the order and the USRA assigned it as one of three (SLSF 4002, 4003, 4005) built by Alco to the Frisco.

    It became one of a class of 33 similar USRA Light Mikado type locomotive units for the Frisco. Twenty-three units were reassigned by the USRA, SLSF 4000-4007 and 4017-4031. Additional units were acquired from the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) Railroad, numbered SLSF 4008-4016 and 4032. Other than the three Alco units, the balance of the engines were built by the Lima Locomotive Works.

    Once on the Frisco the locomotives were modified with taller locomotive cabs to increase crew headroom and most received booster trailing trucks. The locomotive runs on 63" drivers, 33" leading truck wheels and 44" trailing truck wheels. In operating condition, the locomotive weighs 305,424 pounds, the tender 189,400 pounds, for a total of 494,824. Frisco 4003 was coal fired. Its tender had a capacity for 18 tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water.

    The locomotive produced 54,700 pounds of tractive effort, at an operating boiler pressure of 200 pounds. The locomotive wheel base (front truck to rear truck wheel centerline) is 36' 11". The overall length between the pulling faces of the locomotive front and tender rear couplers is 81' 11 3/4".

    This locomotive was set aside (retired) by the Frisco in 1952. It was donated to the city of Fort Smith during 1954. It was originally placed on display in the city's Kay Rodgers Park. On the condition that the museum pay for its relocation moving costs, the city donated it to the museum for static display in 2000. In 2004, the locomotive was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
  4. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    Do they still have the steps from the pilot to running board?
    I would send them artwork and dimensions for the cab and tender numbers. I could never understand why Frisco put the 30" numerals on the tender when they donated her.
     
  5. Turky44

    Turky44 Member

    curious on Artwork/Dimensions
     
  6. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    Sand dome numerals 6". FRISCO on cab 8", numbers on tender 24", numbers on rear of tender 12", capacity on rear of tender 2". 4003.jpg
     
  7. Gerry David

    Gerry David Member

    Curious on why they cut off the front steps on one side, and not the other? I get why they removed the steps leading up to the cab, and could understand why they'd remove BOTH sides (and thank heavens they didn't), but can't really figure out why they would remove one side and not the other.

    Also, I noticed the main rods (I believe is what they are called. Still learning, so my apologies) were missing as well. I'm sure they were removed to move it, but not sure why they were never reattached.

    Regardless, what a fine looking locomotive.
     
  8. tripphd

    tripphd Member

    This is just supposition, but it probably has something to do with when it was on display at the fairgrounds (Kay Rodgers Park). They built a set of stairs from wood to make the cab more accessible when it was there. I remember climbing on it in the '60s.
     
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  9. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    This would have been a good candidate for restoration to run on the A&M occasionally. I have no idea what condition she is in after all these years. Someone at the trolley museum told me some "expert" once told them at least $2 Million. People throw these numbers around rather loosely so who knows.
     
    Ozarktraveler, qaprr and Turky44 like this.

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