SLSF 1501, Rolla, Mo 4/17/09

[meteor910]

Before and after my meetings last Thursday and Friday at Missouri S&T, and before the Springfield OMRA meet on Saturday, I spent some time in Rolla and Newburg visiting some of my longtime favorite Frisco places. The first was, of course, SLSF 1501 - the second of Frisco's famed 4-8-2 Mountain locomotives, which rests on display along the Frisco/BNSF main on the north side of Rolla. As I recall, 1501 was put on display there in 1956.

Even though she is under roof, is sort of protected, and does receive some care, she is obviously suffering. Her bell and class lights were stolen in the mid-1960's and she has looked bald and forlorn to me ever since. In her full glory, 1501 was one of the best looking 1500's in my opinion - I always liked the look of the wide smokebox door. Coupled behind her is an old coach, and there is a tool shed there with a nice 1501 logo on it.

Following are half of the pics which will give you a good idea of her condition and show some of the problems. I'll post the remaining half in the next posting. Over the next several days, I'll also post some more Rolla pics and my Newburg pics.

Ken

[meteor910]

Here is the second half, with some detail shots.

Ken

[FriscoGeorge]

Before and after my meetings last Thursday and Friday at Missouri S&T, and before the Springfield OMRA meet on Saturday, I spent some time in Rolla and Newburg visiting some of my longtime favorite Frisco places. The first was, of course, SLSF 1501 - the second of Frisco's famed 4-8-2 Mountain locomotives, which rests on display along the Frisco/BNSF main on the north side of Rolla. As I recall, 1501 was put on display there in 1956.

Even though she is under roof, is sort of protected, and does receive some care, she is obviously suffering. Her bell and class lights were stolen in the mid-1960's and she has looked bald and forlorn to me ever since. In her full glory, 1501 was one of the best looking 1500's in my opinion - I always liked the look of the wide smokebox door. Coupled behind her is an old coach, and there is a tool shed there with a nice 1501 logo on it.

Following are half of the pics which will give you a good idea of her condition and show some of the problems. I'll post the remaining half in the next posting. Over the next several days, I'll also post some more Rolla pics and my Newburg pics.

Ken

Ken,
It has been rumored that a group of UMR/MSM students stole the lights and the bell as a St. Pat's prank in retaliation for being thrown in the pond. I don't know the whole story, but I do know that they used to have some pretty wild St. Pat's parties back in the day.
George

[meteor910]

George -

Agree! I've heard the same rumors. As you know, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal in Rolla, as St. Patrick is the patron Saint of all engineers. Some/most of the celebrations often (usually) get a bit out of hand. My Freshman year, we heard one of the fellows on my floor in the dorm had passed out on the SLSF tracks at the depot. A bunch of us ran down there to rescue him, only to learn that he had indeed passed out on the tracks, but it was on the house track behind the depot. We hauled him back to the dorm and deposited him in the shower and went to bed.

I'm proud of one thing - the desecration of my good friend SLSF 1501 did not occur during my time at MSM: years 1960-1964. Blame it on the later classes!

Ken

ps - 1501's class lights were gone and the headlight broken out long before the bell was removed. I have pics that show that.

[FriscoGeorge]

Hey Ken,
I spent time at UMR from 1974-1977, and again from 1988-1991 to finish up on my degree, and I heard that the bell was stolen in 1969 after the MSM merged into the university system and became UMR. And yes, I can attest to the St. Pat's parties getting a bit "out of hand" My uncle worked as a firemen on the Rolla Fire Department during the late '60's and '70's and told me that they had to turn the fire hoses on some "rowdy" students during Gonzo because they got out of control.
George

[meteor910]

George -

Thanks. 1969 sounds about right for when 1501's bell was stolen. That timing fits my pictures. The class lights went earlier.

For the record, Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM) became University of Missouri - Rolla (UMR) in the summer of 1964. I graduated in May, 1964, and was in the last class to graduate from MSM. The summer, 1964 class was the first to graduate from UMR. And now, of course, it is Missouri University of Science & Technology (MoS&T). Names, names, names!

Ken

[yardmaster]

Ken, thanks for these pictures, especially the detailed close-ups. They're very helpful as I try to get my steam fleet detailed "good enough."

Best Regards,

[rwhworth]

I have a photo of 1501 and the crew who put her there in 1955. My grandfather, great-grandfather, and great uncle were members of the crew. I'll see if I can get it to scan and attach it if you'd like. I'm new to the group and would like to see about building a smaller scale of the Blue Bonnet Special. I remember hearing stories about all their memories of her and feel it would be a great way to keep the 'family tradition' for the love of trains going. Anyone have any advice for getting started?

[meteor910]

Please do post your 1501 shot at Rolla/1955. She sure looked fine when she arrived there and went on display. Her doric striping wasn't totally complete, but enough to give you the idea!

Ken

[klrwhizkid]

More photos of 1501 taken at Rolla, spring 2010 by me.

[SAFN SAAP]

Nice pictures everyone. Should really help in the modeling realm. Glad that there are folks who still care about steam locomotives. Maybe someday they'll return to ride the rails.

[murphy millican]

To add to the timeline of the bell theft there is a picture on Dr. Condren's Frisco Locomotive Page showing the bell missing as early Febuary of 1969. One month before St. Patricks Day so it maybe it was taken during 1968 instead. I know this is mostlikely a lost cause, it would just be nice to find the old bell. It is probably long gone, or tucked away in someones attic.
Ship it on the Frisco!!!



Murphy Jenkins