This is not something that I like to see, but it is brutal reality and everything comes to an end, even the fire breathing beast I wish I had seen in person. From Classic Trains and it came with this caption. "Workers at Sheffield Steel in Kansas City just started at the rear of Frisco 4-8-2 4308 one day in April 1953 and worked their way forward. Photo by James A. Williams"
The Frisco had enough confidence in its new diesel motive power, that for the duration of the the Korean War, it was content to set-aside a handful of 1500’s, about 10 or so 4200’s, and the 4500’s for the traffic surge that never materialized. The 4300’s and 4400’s were quick to the torch, and even during the war the Frisco had no qualms with sending the 4308 to Sheffield Steel.
Yes...In order to get the 4300’s and the 4400’s under the train shed at KCUS, the Frisco “shaved-off” the sand domes.