Violating the 3 Foot Rule and THEN SOME Ken’s notion of having a Frisco model of an E-8B, and thus “violating” the 3 foot rule and (then some) is one reason why model railroading is so enjoyable. See http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?threadid=1793 We have to please only ourselves in what we build. In that vein, it’s time to confess our “sins”. I’d be interested in hearing about and seeing those models that clearly violate the 3 Foot PLUS rule. I like the idea of a Frisco E-8B, and have thought about doing one too, but that’s not my Frisco transgression. During the late 60’s, AHM had a sale on locomotives that had blemishes and minor mechanical deficiencies. It was like buying a pig in a poke, but none the less, my brother and I sent in our money for a UP Big Boy. It turned out to be a good deal. The body was in great shape, but it was missing a motor, which was replaced without difficulty. Once running, it was sent to the paint shop, where the UP shield was removed and replaced with a Kemtron, Frisco coonskin. The locomotive emerged as the Frisco 4600 in the full “Triple F” treatment. It’s a 3 foot PLUS violation for sure.
Now there's a model I want to see...4-8-8-4 brute strength with the FFF logo! You bring up a great point, Karl. If it makes the modeler happy, we can employ a bit of license without having to answer to a board of directors or transportation department. I wouldn't mind seeing some post-1948 passenger trains being hauled by ALCO PA units. Wonder how they'd look in cat-whiskers or the original Meteor/Texas Special schemes? If they sampled some FA units, why not PAs? One could always add an EMD builder's plate, too, assuming that the PA's would have eventually been repowered. Then there are lesser degrees of violating the 3-foot-plus rule (i.e. running low-numbered 4-6-0s in the mid-to-late 1940s well after their scrapping dates). I frankly wouldn't mind having a spot-series locomotive on my 1940s-River Division, disregarding the fact that they would've wreaked havoc on bridges and trestles all the way from SE Jct. to Turrell. Somewhere on this site, Doug Hughes posted a photo of a Frisco domed observation car. Pure whimsy but it sure looks swell in Frisco red! I just can't find the photo anywhere so that I can link to it.
I totally agree with you all--I have a pair of E8A's--that was a bit of a priority with me since I had actually ridden the Frisco passenger train through Rolla--But an AB consist seems fine to me. As an example of what you're talking about, you may recall MicroMark recently had the Bachman USRA 2-6-6-2 undecorated on sale for 1/2 price. Yep, I strongly considered getting one, but didn't. Don't think the SLSF ever had any of them either, but still would have looked pretty nice in Frisco logo. You're Big Boy idea I like too--guess you could lop of one off the leading and trailing trucks and call it a mallet. Jim
I've always regretted that the Frisco bought USRA 0-6-0s (ugly!) and not the USRA 0-8-0s. I've resisted the temptation of buying one of the Proto 2000 beautiful 0-8-0s and lettering it for a 3900 class. I guess I could always lease one from the Missouri Pacific. I think Ed Heiss had an old PFM 0-8-0 numbered in the 3900 series.
Regarding my plan to do a Frisco E8B - the Frisco DID have one! Not an actual locomotive, but an artist rendering of one. Just take a look at the cover of the 1955-1965 public timetables - the Frisco streamliner roaring by the Ozark river scene is powered by a "Race Horse" E8 A-B set. Artistic lisence I know, but years ago it got me thinking about it. I picked up an AHM E8B a few years back and it is (slowly) being Frisco-ized as we speak. Regarding a Frisco ALCo PA - I mentioned that thought to Lee Buffington years ago, God rest his soul, and asked him why SLSF never went for the PA. After about ten minutes of ranting about how bad ALCo's powered by the 244 engine were, Lee said the Frisco had enough experience with the PA's the Katy had when they sometimes sent them up on the Texas Special into St Louis. The PA's in the MKT paint scheme, very similar to the Frisco's E7 "Meteor" scheme originally used on 2001, 2002, 2004 & 2005, did look pretty good, however. Ken Meteor910 |-|
What is the 3 foot rule? I am new to this site but have loved the Frisco for a long time. My grandfather, W. E. Hemmingway, was a freight conductor out of both Ash Grove, MO and Ft. Scott, KS. I think he retired around 1940 or so. My father, W. E. "Bill" Hemmingway, Jr., was caller and/or roundhouse clerk at Ft. Scott, Pittsburg, & Wichita 1938-1953. My uncle Basil Hemmingway was general yardmaster (I think) in OKC and my cousin's husband T. S. "Sandy" Sullivan was superintendent at Ada, OK. I am currently trying to convert an AHM Indiana Harbor Belt 0-8-0 to a Frisco consolidation, probably 1200 or 1300 class. Does anyone have information about either class? What size were the pilot trucks etc.
It's sometimes called the "Arm's Length Rule" also. If you have a model that's not EXACTLY true to the prototype, you can hold it at "arms length" or "three feet" away and it doesn't look so bad after all. Of course this won't pass muster from the modelers who like to nit-pick or "count bolts." But those of us model and rail fan for the fun of it, don't worry about such "small" stuff--especially when held three feet away! Tom PS: If you can locate Joe Collias' book "Frisco Power," you can probably find all you need about the Frisco 1200 or 1300 2-8-0's.
Gary, do some more navigating around frisco.org. You'll eventually find the files section. Years ago, I downloaded an excel data base of all the Frisco's steam roster including dimensions, wheel/driver diameters, spacings, etc. Doug Hughes, FMIG Founder, Christian, Merry Christmas Ann Arbor, MI
Thanks for the advice. I will research frisco.org in hopes not of St.Nick but an excel database waiting to be downloaded. Gary Hemmingway
Ok, I pulled up that attached file and one thing doesn't look right. It says that the KC,FT Scott, & memphis rr owned 7 2-8-8-2's built in 1910, how could they have bought them if a couple maps of Barton county showed that in 1885 the RR was KSFS&M RR then in 1903 the map showed that the line was Frisco. I have put on an atachment to the email.
Re: Violating the 3 Foot Rule and THEN SOME Not only did the Memphis Road purchase the 2001 class Mallets, it bought several diesels, and the 4515. see http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?t=1785&highlight=4515 Even though the Frisco bought the Memphis Road, in short, the KCFS&M still existed as a legal entity until Jan 1, 1947. In order to keep assets balanced with liabilities, the parent road, Frisco, bought locomotives and placed them on the Memphis Road's books to keep the accountants and receivers happy.
