It's not good that this forum doesn't have a thread for models of the E8 racehorses (I just can't call them "redbirds" even though I was a Cardinals fan in my youth.) And I'm pretty sure that all of the extant prototype photos have been seen and published. So I decided to post two photos of my model of E8 #2011 "Gallant Fox" in service, crossing a bridge. This is an Oriental Models piece that I painted and lettered years ago. Since "Gallant Fox" wasn't on the Microscale decal set, it was fun to piece together the name from three other names: Gallahadion, Truxton and Fair Play. My eyes and hand were much sharper then. So just pretend that someone found some old color photos in his attic and is sharing them for the first time with this group. I apologize that I haven't a clue as to how to rotate images that are attached to posts. My original is right side up. Enjoy. Ken McElreath
(Sigh.) Really like the Racehorses. Confession: I took a look on eBay to see what Racehorses were out there.
Did the Frisco passenger trains (w E8's) ever operate over "dark territory"? I have 1 passenger train, but is not worthy.
Steve: Rapido has announced E8's and E9's. I've asked them if Frisco's "Racehorses/Redbirds" were being considered for a future run. IF they're going to make one... I'm doomed. Tom: Yes. E's often powered the Fort Smith "Meteorite" train and the entire Fort Smith Sub was dark. I think modeling the "Meteorite" as a Frisco "rerouted" train over the KC&G could be a hoot. We shall see.
Probably so, Tom, probably so. Clarification: Technically, the "entire" Fort Smith Sub wasn't dark. By the time I was riding the Frisco rails (1970 on?), there was a short section of ABS at MP 374+35 - MP 375+18 (the tunnel at Winslow) and a segment of CTC from MP 410+20 to MP 412+3 (from the Mop/Frisco crossing at VB, over the Arkansas River Bridge, to North Fort Smith Jct where the Mop split off onto its own rails again). I'm not too sure about whether the CTC at MP410-412 was in place during diesel years of the "Meteorite" into FS. The "Meteorite's" final run was in September of 1965, as I recall. Also, there was an crossing diamond with illuminated signals at the north end of the Frisco's Fort Smith North Yard that protected the little used "Suburban" branch of the Mop. SO, "technically", the FS Sub wasn't "entirely" dark.
And here's a pair led by #2013 "Sea Biscuit," powering Train 106 northbound through Quinton, Alabama in 1950. Ken McElreath
Calling them "Racehorses" or "Redbirds" makes no difference, we all have our favorite name. No matter what we call them, they were really neat! I like the blue logo on the nose - I had a P2k E8 as 2022 with the name changed to Champion but with a blue logo on the noise. Sold it when we moved to Florida. All I have now are P2K E8's SLSF 2016 and SLSF 2020, plus SLSF 2006 in the austerity scheme, plus P2K E7 SLSF 2003 in the "Texas Special" livery. They are on a shelf above my desk. Way back in my MSM days in Rolla, I saw E7 SLSF 2000 roll into town (~1962 or ~1963) leading #3. Its paint job was quite dingy, and a repaint was needed badly. But, looking closely at the nose, I saw that the "coonskin" nose logo had small portions of blue paint still on it. That was the only blue logo I ever saw, though several pictures of the E's I have seen show weathered blue-looking logos. K ps - Happy New Year to all of you. It's a beautiful day here in Naples - 2021 is off to a good start!
Regarding the accompanying photo, these models look great. Sadly, the genuine articles seldom did. GS
Little late to the party here, but the Ash Grove sub was dark until 1976/77. I always found it odd that it took them so long to add CTC to that sub. A 1964 timetable lists The Sunnyland and the KC-Florida special still scheduled. One of those trains, I think the KC-FL special, was active right up to the end of passenger operations on the Frisco 1967.
