I was delighted to be able to purchase one of Tom Holley's surplus HO models - SLSF 553, an Alco RS2 repowered by EMD. Tom grafted a P2K GP18 long hood onto a P1K Alco RS2, and then detailed it up. It turned out to be a terrific model of the Frisco RS2m. It's in b/y livery. The original Frisco Alco RS2's 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 RS2m's really looked goofy with that small short RS2 hood behind the cab. Tom correctly modeled his RS2m long hood forward. Like the real thing, it also really looks goofy running that way. I love it! However, when looking at some Frisco RS2m pictures on eBay today, I noticed that later on, when in o/w colors, a pic of 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 553? Another Frisco mystery! Ken ps - I suspect a painter mistake.
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 thats what was in the book Tom
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 GP20's 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
Thats Great Ken, Good to see it in revenue service That GP 20 is a fine looking engine too. Like Jim says "runnin trains is runnin 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-2's, SLSF 550-554, Alco 244 powered before their repowering, where on the system did they primarily operate? After their repowering by EMD with a downrated 567C, where did they primarily operate? Anybody know? I never saw one of these guys - either 244 powered or 567C powered. Ken ps - With the 567C engine, the re-powered RS-2's would have been more frisky than the SLSF GP7's, powered by the 567B engine. Thus, in order for them to m/u smoothly with the GP7's, the Frisco had EMD tune the 567C to match the 567B.
Tom - After several days of heartburn, I found my 1957 Frisco loco diagram book. I was afraid I lost it in the move somewhere. Anyway, looking at the diagram of the RS-2's (before re-powering by EMD), it does look like they were m/u compatible on both ends. Thus, the Details West four hose m/u sets will go on both ends of SLSF 554 as you suspected was the case! K
