I was delighted to be able to purchase one of Tom Holley's surplus HO models - SLSF 553, an Alco RS-2m repowered by EMD. Tom grafted a P2K GP18 long hood onto a P1K Alco RS-2, and then detailed it up. It turned out to be a terrific model of the Frisco RS-2m. It is in black and yellow livery. The original Frisco Alco RS-2s were set up to run long hood forward. During the powering project, the Frisco kept them long hood forward because of the huge cost of relocating the engineer's controls to the other side of the cab. Running long hood forward, the Frisco RS-2ms really looked goofy with that small short RS-2 hood behind the cab. Tom correctly modeled his RS-2m long hood forward. Like the real thing, it also really looks goofy running that way. I love it! However, when looking at some Frisco RS-2m pictures on eBay today, I noticed that later on, when in Mandarin orange and white colors, a picture of RS-2m SLSF 553 indicated short hood forward! The "F" was on the short end. See eBay #280588553703 for the example. Does anyone know what they did to turn these units around? Or, was it a mistake by the painter on RS-2m SLSF 553? I suspect a painter mistake. Another Frisco mystery! Ken
Ken, That little detail bugged me for a while, until I noticed a caption in the book Frisco in Color that indicated it was indeed a goof in the paint shop. At least that is what was in the book. Tom
Tom - Aha! I missed that. I will keep the RS-2m SLSF 553 running goofy! Great model. Thanks again. Ken
Maybe the same painter that mis-numbered the MOW Flat 105039 or 105309 from side to side whichever was correct! See these posts: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showpost.php?p=27512&postcount=10 http://www.frisco.org/vb/showpost.php?p=27518&postcount=11 http://www.frisco.org/vb/showpost.php?p=27526&postcount=14
Tom Holley's very nice RS2m SLSF 553 is on its usual local assignment today, but is mated with a fresh newcomer - one of the EMD GP20 demonstrators. Yes, the GP20s did demonstrate on the Frisco, but I doubt if they were involved with a local! This is an important train, however. It has the usual two Sligo iron ore hoppers coupled in front of the caboose, with another load of ore for more Rearden Metal production in the Knotwell furnaces at Alhambra Grotto. Even though it is on Kurt's old layout, quite basic, my imagination runs wild when I run the occasional train. Ken
It is awesome never the less. Those are both beautiful locomotives. Running trains is running trains.
Jim, Thanks. Here is a somewhat better view of the Frisco RS-2m. Tom Holley did that one, not me! Ken
That is great Ken, Good to see it in revenue service. That GP20 is a fine looking engine too. Like Jim says "running trains is running trains". Please carry on.
Thanks Gary, If memory serves it was just styrene for those drop steps. A person could almost use them for a surf board they were so long.
Regarding the Frisco Alco RS-2s, SLSF 550-554, Alco 244 powered before their repowering, with the 16-567-C engine, the re-powered RS-2's would have been more frisky than the SLSF GP7s, powered by the 16-567-B engine. Thus, in order for them to multiple unit (MU) smoothly with the GP7s, the Frisco had EMD tune the 16-567-C to match the 16-567-B. Where on the system did they primarily operate? After their repowering by EMD with a downrated 16-567-C, where did they primarily operate? Anybody know? I never saw one of these guys - either 244 powered or 16-567-C powered. Ken
Tom, After several days of heartburn, I found my 1957 Frisco locomotive diagram book. I was afraid I lost it in the move somewhere. Anyway, looking at the diagram of the RS-2s before re-powering by EMD, it does look like they were multiple unit (MU) compatible on both ends. Thus, the Details West four hose MU sets will go on both ends of RS-2 SLSF SLSF 554 as you suspected was the case! K
