Ken McElreath's Switcher 2-8-0 1273 (Hallmark MoPac with coal bunker added) Ken McElreath's BIRMINGHAM TERMINAL. Switcher 2-8-0 1273 (Hallmark MoPac with coal bunker added) moves out of the pocket at Sipsey Jct. to classify hoppers for delivery to various mines up the Sipsey Branch of the SL-SF in Alabama.
Ken McElreath's SLSF 4209 Ken McElreath's BIRMINGHAM TERMINAL in Cedar Rapids. Baldwin 2-8-2 4209 (Hallmark HO brass import as rebuilt by Don Wirth mailto:frisco1522@aol.com ) with a coal hopper drag at Sipsey Jct., AL 30 mil NW of Birmingham.
SLSF 4030 by unknown modeler...is it yours? 2-8-2 my unknown modeler (send me a note if its yours) # 4030
\html{ <html><head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="keywords" content="railroads, models, trains, frisco, slsf, sl-sf"> </table> <table border="2" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="4" width="100%" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tr> <td colspan="5" bgcolor="#9595FF"><font size="4"><a name="Steam Models">HO Steam Models Applicable to SL-SF Prototypes</a> </font><font size="3">compiled by Doug Hughes</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"><p align="center"><font size="3">Prototype</font></td> <td width="25%"><p align="center">Accurate Model</td> <td width="25%"><p align="center">Accurate Model with Some Work</td> <td width="25%"><p align="center">Close Enough for all but Nit Pickers!</td> <td width="5%"><p align="center">Eras</td> </tr> <tr> <td>0-6-0 3676-3695 Baldwin 0-6-0 3713-3722 Baldwin</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>MDC Harriman 0-6-0</td> <td width="5%">1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>0-6-0 3800-3806 Schenectady</td> <td></td> <td>USRA 0-6-0 Many</td> <td></td> <td width="5%">2-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-6-0 354-358 Rhode Island 2-6-0 359-362 Baldwin 2-6-0 363-364 Brooks</td> <td></td> <td>Arbour Brooks 2-6-0</td> <td></td> <td width="5%">1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%">2-6-0 365-366 Schenectady 2-6-0 367-368 Brooks</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>PFM SP M-4</td> <td width="5%">1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 76-77 Baldwin</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>Tyco Prairie/Mellor Conversion Kit</td> <td width="5%">3-7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 1226-1265 Baldwin </td> <td></td> <td>PFM ATSF "1950"</td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 1266-1280 Baldwin 2-8-0 1293-1305 Baldwin</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>Hallmark MoPac 100 Bowser Old Lady MDC Harriman 2-8-0</td> <td>2-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 1306-1345 Schenectady</td> <td>Hallmark "1306"</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 2700-2715 Baldwin 2-8-0 2716-1719 Rogers 2-8-0 2720-2723 Cooke 2-8-0 2724-2730 Baldwin 2-8-0 2731-2733 Rogers</td> <td></td> <td valign="top">Ma & Pa Brass 2-8-0 MDC Old Timer 2-8-0</td> <td></td> <td>1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-0 2734-2737 Altoona</td> <td>Empire-Midland H1a =</td> <td>==>??</td> <td></td> <td>1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-10-0 1613-1632 Several</td> <td>PFM Frisco Russian Sunset Frisco Russian</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>2-7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-4-0 182-187 SL-SF Pittsburgh</td> <td>Hallmark "182"</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-4-0 Many Old Timer Americans</td> <td></td> <td>Tyco General AHM Genoa Arbour 4-4-0</td> <td></td> <td>1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-2 4000-4032 Lima/Schenectady</td> <td></td> <td>USRA Light 2-8-2</td> <td></td> <td>2-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-2 4100-4165 Baldwin</td> <td></td> <td>USRA Heavy 2-8-2</td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-8-2 4200-4219 Baldwin</td> <td></td> <td>Hallmark 4200</td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-0 Many Old Timer Ten Wheelers</td> <td></td> <td>Tyco Dixie Belle Arbour Sierra Arbour Syl Cent.</td> <td></td> <td>1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-0 629-633 Schenectady</td> <td></td> <td>LMB NY&HR 4-6-0</td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-0 721-741 Schenectady</td> <td></td> <td>PFM NP S4 Hallmark C&NW R-1</td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-0 2650-2652 Rogers 4-6-0 2667-2668 Rogers 4-6-0 2670-2675 Rogers</td> <td></td> <td>AHM Casey Jones</td> <td></td> <td>1-3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-2 10XX-10XX XXXX</td> <td>Sunset -unstreamlined</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-2 1040-1059 Schenectady</td> <td></td> <td>American Models</td> <td>USRA Pacific</td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-6-4 10XX-10XX XXXX</td> <td>Sunset - Frisco Flyer streamlined</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-8-2 1500-1514 Baldwin 4-8-2 1515-1529 Baldwin</td> <td valign="bottom">PFM Toby "1500"</td> <td valign="top">PFM Toby "1500"</td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-8-2 4300-4310 SL-SF</td> <td>Overland "4300"</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-8-2 4400-4411 SL-SF 4-8-2 4413-4422 SL-SF</td> <td>Overland "4400" Overland "4412"</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>3-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4-8-4 4500-4502 Baldwin 4-8-4 4503-4524 Baldwin</td> <td>Crown "4500" </td> <td>Hallmark "4500" Hallmark "4500"</td> <td valign="top">Bachmann Northern</td> <td>4</td> </tr> </table>}
Bachmann Frisco Russian John Glaab sent me these photos of the Bachmann Frisco Russian from the St Louis train show.
The Bachmann 2-10-0's at St. Louis Bachmann had their Russian Decapod test samples on display at St. Louis and they looked great. These models, there were four different versions, still needed some tweaking, but it was the sort of tweaking that you and I probably wouldn't notice. Little manufacturing changes to make it easier to assemble, reduce molding rejects, make things stronger, etc. From the appearance standpoint what I saw was pretty close to finished models. All of the models were unpainted. The four versions shown were: ACL, Erie, Western Maryland and Frisco. When I say four different versions that is just what I mean. The tenders were different, not just the same tender with different steps or the addition of a doghouse but different tenders. I spotted two very different tenders and the others may have been modifications of these two. And yes, the Frisco version has a very correct doghouse. The locos incorporated significant detail differences as well. The Erie has the baldface Russian export style boiler front. The WM has a unique pilot ladder and steps over the air pump, the ACL has no steps over the air pump. There were different cabs, pilots, placement of appliances, etc. Each prototype had been rendered accurately with the changes, large and small that made it different. Does all of this sound familiar? It does if you are into brass. This is what brass loco importers and builders have been doing for years. Find a basic engine that was used on several roads and change the detailing to make it correct for that road. No non-brass manufacturer has ever done this to this extent, to the best of my knowledge. The mechanism was beautifully rendered. Some engines had Alligator crossheads, some had Laird. Again the attention to prototype accuracy was evident. All parts were finely rendered and the power train was completely hidden. No gearbox could be seen when you looked between the boiler and mechanism. There has always been some question as to just how many of these engines were built and what US roads got them. The Bachmann research went so far as to get records from Russia to show how many had been received there. In addition much new information was turned up to show that many more US roads had these locomotives than previously believed. Lee Riley the head of R&D for Bachmann stated that Pennsy had one! In fact these locos were built as late as the 1940's and were used by the US Army in WWI and WWII. Lee has some pretty amazing data. The overall appearance of all of these models is excellent, comparable in quality and accuracy to the recently released Bachmann Shay. This is another winner. Of course we will be selling them, check our web page for prices. peachcreekshops.com John Glaab Peach Creek Shops
This isn't exclusive to the Bachmann "Russian" model, but one of the things I dislike about steam models is the wiring running between cab and tender. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to prototypically disguise this? Is it the water line between tender and locomotive that looks like the flexible tubing that is often found connected between a clothes dryer and exterior vent? If so, I wonder if there are flexi-straws that are small enough for HO-scale to simulate this and hide the wiring? Suggestions are welcome!
I would like to find out the value of a steam whistle off of Frisco #176. I would also like to find out information about this locomotive. jclark@sonet.net
The 176 was one of twelve 4-6-0 locos built by Cooke in 1884, Builder Number 1600, for the SLSF RY of 1876 and numbered 110. In 1897 she was renumbered 176 by the SLSF RR of 1896. In 1901 she was renumbered to 426. She was supposedly scrapped 12/31/1914. (I have found that some of the official scrapping dates from this period are not true.)
Bachmann Frisco 2-10-0 #1632 Here is a copy of the RMC magazine advertisement for the new Bachmann Frisco 2-10-0 #1632.
I am looking for a "large" (mantel size) model of a 2-8-0 Baldwin with tender. I see the listing for the HO size. Obviously I am new to this forum. My family were engineers on #76 and 77, used on the Frisco and later sold to the Mississippian. Thanks for any reply
Don Wirth's 1350, 1045, and 19 These three pictured are at least 50% scratchbuilt. All three tenders are scratchbuilt as are the cabs, and other parts of the superstructures. The mechanisms are heavily modified to match what the model represented.
Don Wirth's SLSF 4101 Totally scratchbuilt SLSF 4101 Totally scratchbuilt (using commercial castings, etc, of course)
Chris Abernathy commented on wiring and water connections That together with overly large gaps betwen engine and tender is one of my pet dislikes. Careful use of matt black paint and installing a fall plate for the crew helps with improving appearances beyond what comes off the shelf. If you were really keen you could try something I have often thought about but never done, which is to use black insulated wiring to simulate the hoses that connect the tender to the engine. The problem will be routing the connection to the motor- perhaps you could use brass injectors (with insulating washers on a metal or brass model) and take the power feed from them ?
I do not think I had realized that the running boards on the model were so thick - they appear to be 1-3x as thick as the proptytpe! Is this typical of the Spectrum series? This almost seems like an item that would not pass my "3-feet" rule (e.g. if it looks okay from 3 feet away leave it alone). However, considering how good the adjacent detail appears to be on these models, I'm not sure I would do anything with the running boards. Has anyone performed running board surgery on their 2-10-0?
Bachmann Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 Review (Long!) - Updated 3-4-2003 After some back-and-forth correspondence with Aidrian Bridgeman-Sutton, I’ve received a Bachmann Spectrum USRA Light Mountain (lettered and numbered for SLSF 4422) in the mail last week. Aidrian had mentioned that, while Bachmann’s model is numbered for the homebuilt mountains that were “recycled” from the 2-10-2 “spot series” boilers, the model is more akin to the 1500-class. I would definitely concur with him on his assessment; while I have not measured the model and compared it to prototype dimensions yet, the general look and feel is pretty close to the 1500-class The profile of the smokebox and boiler are all but a dead ringer: the sand dome looks proportionately right and the steam dome is where the next course slopes upward. The bell is smokebox-mounted, and the stack looks appropriate-it is lankier than the 4400-class prototype’s stack. The drivers also are <u>not</u> of the Scullin-disc type as found on the 4400-class. One thing I noticed immediately on the model is that the running boards are much thinner than the pictures of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-0 that I have seen. This was a pleasant surprise; in fact, while I’ll most likely pickup a Russian at some point, the hyperthick running boards were a real turnoff. I’m a 3-foot modeler, especially with steam power where my knowledge base is still strengthening, but the running boards really lept out at me. The one downside on the running boards is that they drop down considerably lower on the smokebox than does the prototype; there are only 3 steps down to the pilot, whereas I believe the prototype had 4. I have not decided if this is a detail that I want to correct or not. Aidrian did mention that the early 1500-class locos (1500-1519) had Baker valve gear, but that Walschaerts on the later orders (1520 and up) were the cause for displacing the air reservoirs topside. Based on air reservoir location, this model would be appropriate for Baker valve gear. Thanks to Robert Malloy, I am now able to actually distinguish between Baker vs. Walschaerts on my own! Anyway...if one decides to use this model as as basis for the later series, you'll want to consider replacing the valve gear and relocating the air reservoirs. I'm not that bold; even though the "torpedo tubes" add a nice visual touch, I'm sticking to the 1500-1519 class. The above problems notwithstanding, I will proceed to try to convert this model. I reckon I will stick to relatively simply and easy changes (see valve gear above!) that are still material to getting it closer to prototype. This includes: <blockquote>changing from Cole Trailing Truck to Delta Trailing Truck add Precision Scale Co.. Pyle National Light w/visor and lenses, along with brass Frisco headlight bracket change tender trucks from 4-wheel to 6-wheel and add toolbox. remove coal load from tender and scratch building oil bunker. perhaps replace the pilot (depending on which prototype I model).</blockquote> The model has no backup light on the tender; this will be one of those “maybe I’ll do it someday.” I’m less worried about a backup light on a run-through 4-8-2 that will pretty well perpetually be backed up against head-end passenger cars, than on one of my locally based smaller locomotives that might be backing through the terminal. The coal load should look pretty nice transplanted to one of my 2-8-0s! I can scratchbuild an oil bunker pretty easily thanks to some help from Art Marsh. Aside from the bulleted changes listed above, the only other deficiencies I can detect is that the air compressor looks like it’s a wee bit off, even though the location per se looks good. I’m not sure if I’ll change mine but it’s worth a close look at your prototype if you care. Another small inconsistency between model and prototype is that the model has only 2 boiler stays under the smokebox; the prototype pictures I have seen show 4. This should be easily rectified by cutting some .28 wire to length and affixing with CA. A more glaring issue is the lettering/numbering. The model is in the standard white letters/numbers, which is fine for the 4400 class. However, for a 1500-class in 1943 I’ll need a set of Oddball’s gold with gold-striped fretting. I also need to change the tender rear stencil so that it references gallons of oil and not tons of coal. If you’re modeling the twilight of steam, white numbers would be appropriate, as I think the 1500s received the “Hungerford Makeover” prior to retirement. However, I’m not certain if this just involves the removal of the stripes with numbers/lettering remaining in gold? In light of 1522’s re-retirement, I can’t help but feel a bit melancholy on this project but feel that it’s a fitting project for the time. Requiescat in pace.
I am a model engineer in England with a special interest in steam whistles and I have recently begun to develop an interest in US steam, particularly the Frisco. Can anyone please tell me the chord of a standard Frisco chime whistle? Failing that, please can anyone tell me the lengths of the individual flutes in the whistle so that I can make one which sounds as it should? Many thanks!
I recently purchased a PFM Toby 1500 brass steam engine and will be painting and lettering it for the Frisco 1522. Does anyone know if any brass of plastic manufacturer makes the auxillary water tender the Frisco 1522 uses. Thanks David Weber
SLSF 4505 Fresh from the paint shop and awaiting lettering, 4505 takes a turn around the Carl Junction, Mo Yard. The tender of the Hallmark model has been reworked to represent a coal tender. The original Hallmark tender is 5 feet too long, and the sides of the tender curve inward through the fuel bunker. The coal tender had straight sides, and a lower profile through the coalbunker. The original tender trucks tracked poorly, and the wheels fell out the model was lifted from the tracks. I replaced the original trucks with some Overland Models (I think) sprung Buckeye trucks. Since 4505 carried a coonskin number plate, I added one to the model. Several classes of Frisco steam used a collar-like smoke deflector on the stack. I added this as well. I took the picture about 15 years ago on my now-abandoned Carl Jct. Switching layout. An Oriental EMC gas-electric 2121 idles on the team track behind 4505.
