I'm starting this thread as a "fan" of #4519 decorated as when she pulled the one time "Will Rogers Special." I know that this scheme was only a temporary paint job, but I was wondering if anyone here liked the decor as much as I do? I always wished that the Frisco had decorated two or three engines with that scheme and permanently assigned them to the "Will." Tom G.
Tom, I hadn't thought of this photo in a while until you mentioned it. I think it's one of the few instances of motive power* on the Frisco having the train name on the side. The other examples I can think of, and more permanent examples at that: (a) The Meteor, obviously, on 4500-4502 (b) The Sunnyland - also on the tender of #1042 on its inaugural run. Since #4519 wasn't regular power...what was typically assigned to The Will Rogers, post-war and pre-dieselization? (*Referring to steam power only. See E-7As 2000-2003 for The Texas Special)
I think they just used whatever engines that were ready at St. Louis or OKC. The "Will" was an overnighter and they really didn't need anything fancy. Too bad, the script lettering was very neat! Tom G. Edit: A photo of that engine and lettering is on page 212 of Joe Collias' Frisco Power.
I've always had fond memories of 4519. In the early 1960's when my brother and I were six and eight our Dad would take us to the scrap area at the Broadway yards. 4519 was waiting to be salvaged for several years there. We would climb all over, inside and out. From the tender water tanks to inside the firebox we explored every nook and cranny that we could fit into. It seems like we would do this every month on a Saturday during the summer. Can you imagine doing that today with the security and liability issues?
