Walked down by the coal chute to see what's going on there. Busy as usual. I may have already posted this one too. I gotta start taking more photos.
Don, Please take many more photos. There is talk that once the war is over the railroads will begin a rapid modernization program with diesels that will eventually displace steam engines. Those new fangled yard switch engines are just the beginning they are saying of what is to come. They think the new locomotives have an advantage that has something to do with expense reduction in equipment, fuel, facilities and personnel. Darn it if it doesn't always come down to some bean counter trying to squeeze out more dollars. Better get as many of those shots while you still can. You might even want to get more of the engine support facilities and good old Frisco Folks in the shots too. If the predictions are true, and as hard as it is to believe, someday soon it may all be gone. It is great the local gum shoe and engine house foreman are cooperating, so get 'em while you can. What could possibly be next to go due to "modernization" - passenger trains, depots and cabooses?!? As the contemporary Irving Berlin song says, "Say it isn't so". Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Ah, you steam fans need to recognize the step change coming that will change the world! Pretty soon, the Frisco will have F3's, F7's, F9's, FP7's, E7's, E8's, GP7's and FA's and they will prove to be amazing wonder machines! They will be so good they will be there serving the Frisco for ever and ever. Locomotives can't get any better than these new generation diesels! Ken
"Ah, you steam fans need to recognize the step change coming that will change the world! Pretty soon, the Frisco will have F3's, F7's, F9's, FP7's, E7's, E8's, GP7's and FA's and they will prove to be amazing wonder machines! They will be so good they will be there serving the Frisco for ever and ever. Locomotives can't get any better than these new generation diesels!" Ken Blasphemy! Bite your tongue...
Doing some more wandering around Newburg with a camera. Having a Dad who is engineer helps keep the bulls away.
As a reply to all the crepe hangers, there wil never, I say never, be a diesel invasion on this RR. I have my token affirmative action diesel, the 204, which is authentic for 1943 and that is the end of it. We've tried diesels here and find that steam is far superior.
Brad, ala Winston Churchill, Slone! Love it! Ken ps - I am a great fan of Frisco steam as well! It was "getting to know" SLSF 1501 at Rolla in 1960 that turned me into a Frisco fan. See my "Roster Tale" in the February, 1989 issue of the Frisco Museum's "All Aboard", Volume 3, Number 9, page 2. What a beautiful locomotive it was.
Let us not overlook Caboose #811; while the motive power speaks for itself, that little bugger is a dandy. Keep 'em coming, Don. Best Regards,
OK, Don, That photo #5 takes the blue ribbon prize. That has to be the best model photo that I have ever seen. I feel that I was standing there with you. Awesome, just truly awesome!
Newburg is the "Valhalla of all Friscodom", and Don is doing a terrific job of recreating it in its 1943 glory days. I still can't get over the idea of the corner bar being closed and soon gone! I'm sure Don's Front Street will show it in its glory, with maybe a minor brawl underway out front in the street. Ken