So I have some questions: At what point is a Frisco engine no longer a Frisco engine? Once the date of sale is past? Once it's renumbered? Repainted? When? More specific: There's a lot of BN stuff showing up in the archives of late. Typically, the unit is still in Frisco paint, but re-stenciled with the BN number. That make's that picture not a Frisco unit/subject. To me, it's BN. If I were modeling the later era of the Frisco, a BN unit is no longer Frisco, and thus not modeling material/etc. If I were modeling the early years of the BN purchase, then it is modeling material/etc, but that would make me a BN modeler, and not a Frisco modeler. I have mixed emotions about seeing BN power at our Frisco site. What say ye? We all okay with it? Perhaps I'm not seeing a bigger picture? Help me Obi-Wan... for you are my only hope. Andre
Andre - The force is strong in this one. A good question and one worth pondering. I reckon that, legally speaking, any SL-SF assets became BN property on a particular date (I don't know the exact particulars - ICC approval, BN/SL-SF shareholder approval, the standard 11-21-1980 date, etc.), whether a piece of equipment was re-stenciled or not. (MODERATOR NOTE: Officially, November 21, 1980 3:21 PM CST) Emotionally, I agree with you. It's tough. Having watched the painfully slow transition from Frisco to BN colors as an elementary schooler and having no comprehensive of mergers and acquisitions, it's not much fun to relive it. However, as a modeler, I still find value in the photos even if it's a locomotive in Frisco Orange and White but with the different reporting marks on the cab and 4-digit number boards. I also reckon that there may be those modelers for whom c. 1980-1985 represents the "golden days;" with no memory of an independent Frisco, such transitional schemes might be an interesting modeling topic for those folks, in which case we're providing a valuable record. I'm not sure any BN forums - if they exist - would either document or publicly share such images. Just one galoot's opinion. Glad that the weather has settled a bit down Oklahoma-way. Best Regards,
I don't know the exact answer, but I bet the very minute the merger became official, The BN probably got busy with their stencils! I'm pretty sure there was a Burlington Northern historical (or technical) society, don't know if it's still active. Tom G. Edit: The group is called Friends of the Burlington Northern.
I like the stenciled images, gives me an opportunity to see images of specific cabooses that I have not seen earlier images of. Even if the merger had not happened, it would all be different today anyway, like they say you can never really go home again. When I bought caboose 1291 it was painted green as BN 11619 so I suppose one could say it was a BN caboose, but to me it is a Frisco caboose and will be restored as such. I am fine with the stenciled images.
I have little interest to see anything with BN reporting marks. Those items belong on a BN site; not here.
This discussion already occurred when we started posting material to the Frisco Archive. The pictures are presented for historical context. The only difference is the fact that the road numbers have been changed. The locomotives or cabooses are still in Frisco paint. There is no difference otherwise, which still makes them interesting pictures and good reference material. I have very little free time and right now am working a lot of 16 hour shifts, yet I still try to find time to keep the pictures coming and keep things going on the forum. I get this from all angles. Some people have no interest in the red and white stuff, some don't like anything but steam, and so forth. Sorry, I can't handle it. It is what it is. Thread closed. Charlie
