4-8-2 SLSF 1501

Discussion in '1500 Class Mountains' started by palallin, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    I remember hearing that the last last time the bell was seen, it was somewhere in a pawn-shop in Texas.

    That may be an old wise tale, but it makes sense regarding frat boys trying to make a quick buck and making all the way to Texas!
     
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  2. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Like all the 1500s, 4-8-2 SLSF 1501 was a beautiful locomotive when all clean and shiny after her Lindenwood restoration prior to moving to Rolla, MO.

    How can you not like that face?

    I still prefer the wide smokebox door look verses the smaller one like on 4-8-2 SLSF 1522.

    I think that is based on how good SLSF 1501 looked when I first saw her up close in 1960 on a visit to Missouri School of Mines (MSM) while I was still in high school.

    I do regret, though, that the restoration did not include all the Doric striping that was originally used on these beauties.

    But, one cannot always have everything.
    K
     
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  3. I think the guys that run the Trolley Museum in Fort Smith, AR seem to have some sources of parts?

    Also the Texas State Railroads keeps 3 steam locomotives going.

    If ever there on no-rides days, they take the random visitor in to their shop.

    They have some old collection of nice rail cars also.
     
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  4. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    It has always been a dream of mine to restore the 4-8-2 SLSF 1501 to working order.

    Then turn the old lead line into a scenic railway, using the SLSF 1501 and possibly a Frisco diesel as power.

    A boy can dream though. o_O
     
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  5. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    Has there been any updates from the City of Rolla yet?

    I am planning on having some of my senior pictures taken with the 4-8-2 SLSF 1501.

    It is kind of sentimental, my great grandfather was her engineer.

    I was wondering if the rehabilitation would happen sooner rather than later
     
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  6. palallin

    palallin Member

    A search for replacement items is underway.

    The BNSF is cooperating in that search, and the National museum of Transportation (NMOT) is helping out, too.

    No work is scheduled yet. I have not yet heard what sort of budget is being allotted.

    When anything substantive is provided, I will do my best to get it posted ASAP.

    I would love to say "sooner," but I would not count on major developments in the immediate future, alas!

    Optimistic plans give way to gritty reality.

    Something will happen, but the timetable is not yet clear.

    The city is not unmotivated, but other priorities no doubt dominate their thinking.
     
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  7. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Don can provide the detail on this, but regarding restoring 4-8-2 SLSF 1501 to running condition, there is a problem.

    4-8-2 SLSF 1501 has no pistons.

    Guess where they are - yep, in 4-8-2 SLSF 1522's cylinders.

    K
     
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  8. palallin

    palallin Member

    No thought of running restoration, just cosmetic preservation.

    Even if the money could be found for that, the 4-8-2 SLSF 1501 would be in precisely the same predicament that the 4-8-2 SLSF 1522 is in.

    But with the additional handicap of being unproven.
     
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  9. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    An, thanks for the news!

    It is very reassuring to hear multiple partners are helping out with the preservation, this makes me happy!

    However, are they planning on making the shed more secure whenever the preservation happens?

    Or replacing it with a building?

    As much as I would hate to see her in a building, I feel like that is the only way to keep her away from teens looking for trouble, unless security is added.
     
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  10. palallin

    palallin Member

    Additional security is in the plans, the form not yet determined but one of the budget-driving considerations.

    The city recognizes clearly that replacement of the lost and missing pieces will make her more vulnerable.
     
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  11. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    There are ways to mount items that get stolen that make them nearly impossible to remove.

    I have tried to tell the folks that in Tulsa, OK.

    They could make the 4-8-4 SLSF 4500's bell theftproof and get rid of that ridiculous box over the bell.
     
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  12. palallin

    palallin Member

    We got word recently that the BNSF has located an appropriate bell with the correct bracket for hanging on the smokebox front.

    It has been shipped and should arrive in Rolla, MO late this week or early next. I hope the UPS guy has been working out. And the city is coming up with the plan for installation.

    There is some desire to make an event out of it, but other voices suggest that doing so makes it a target.

    One definite is that they plan to do a little welding to make removing a non-trivial exercise.

    Parks and Recreation wants to make this task the kick-off of repair efforts, but they still have not sorted out what the goal is.

    "Politics: the Art of the Possible".
     
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  13. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    Wow! That is some great news!

    I personally would not mind a small ceremony for the bell. They could have vendors there for donations, and it could be used as a way for the “kickoff” for the project.

    I do not think stealing would be a problem if it is welded on, I just hope the person who welds it on does not do a sloppy job!

    Looking foreword to hearing more.
     
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  14. palallin

    palallin Member

    My advice on the welding is to tack the nuts to the bolts/studs.

    Welding the bracket itself would be very problematic.

    Welding the trunnion would be ruinous.
     
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  15. Brad K

    Brad K Member

    Well, looks like somebody finally got her crown!

    [​IMG]

    Does anybody know what this bar going down the smokestack could be for?

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    I do not know unless it is to hold it steady while they bolted the hanger on.

    If I were them, I would do some tack welding on all the bolts and nuts.

    I wonder who managed to get the class lights and who broke the headlight.

    What is wrong with people?
     
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  17. palallin

    palallin Member

    This is all news to me.

    I guess the city decided to do the work without fanfare.

    I need to have a chat with the parks director tomorrow.
     
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  18. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    The bell was a donation.
     
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  19. Ted Johnson

    Ted Johnson Member Frisco.org Supporter

    No more white tires and side rods.
     
  20. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    I never cared for all that white paint on the tires and such on these locomotives.
     
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