OK, just for fun, let's see your pictures of rideable size Frisco projects! It doesn't matter what scale or gauge, 1/2" scale or 1/2 size, just post what you have. Hey, they don't even have to be yours, just give credit where credit is due. I don't plan on hogging this thread, but I will get the ball rolling. I just put my version of Frisco #205 on the N&F rails (for good) today. I hope to fire it up soon, but I need to make a coal run before I can make steam. Now for all you rivet counters, my stuff tends to be Lionel on steroids, not museum quality models. #205 is an Ottaway that I got as a basket case and rebuilt. I tried to keep it stock as much as possible, so it is a lot different from the prototype #205... no Mickey Mouse counterweights! However, it is a 4-4-0, so at least the number fits the wheel arrangement. Just to give you an idea of the size of the engine, it is about 10 feet long, has 10" diameter drivers, 12-3/4" OD boiler, 2-9/16" bore x 3-1/2" stroke cylinders, and weighs a svelte 1500 lbs... give or take a hundred. It was originally built in 1946, and I spent the last 5 years rebuilding it. OK, who is next? Let's see some Frisco stuff!
A masterful job, James. Lots of time and work - but a real looker and something to be very proud of. Did you build a scale shovel for the coal? I would like a few extra photos, please.
Thanks Sherrel! Not only did I build a small coal scoop, I also built a small slice bar and a rake for breaking up clinkers and evening out the fire... although, I don't think I ever took any pictures of them! Here are a couple more pictures of #205: Before: After: #103 and #205 together: There are pictures of the rebuild at: http://nfrailroad.com/page15.html I have a couple of other Frisco projects in mind, if I can get the time to do them. This summer, I would like to build a proper Frisco caboose (all I have right now is a freelanced bobber). Sometime in the not-to-distant future, I would like to build a bigger diesel - I'm considering Frisco #200, a Baldwin VO-1000 - but the diesel project probably won't get started until next year. Anybody else got Frisco stuff to share? Darren posted a nice video of his #1060 on the CA live steam thread!
Another shot of 1060, with my oldest. This hobby of trains will die unless we get the younger crowd interested. It's hard to convince most people that a train is more than something that held them up going to the mall. To each his own.
It is a different world now... trains just aren't on the mind of John Q. Public like they used to be. Plus, the younger generations are growing up in an "Instant Gratification" environment. The average person just can't imagine spending years either 1) Developing the skills, gathering the tools and building a steam locomotive or 2) Saving up for years to buy one that already runs. Having said that, I see glimmers of hope from time to time. Last Sunday, we hosted a picnic/train ride for a friend's Sunday School class. There were about 4 kids that were amazed when I swung the water column over the tender and started filling it up! They wanted to know all the what - where - why - how's and didn't believe it was just water until they each put their hands in it! The live steam locomotive can still stir up a certain fascination even with today's technology jaded children. It also boggles my mind that an entire generation has grown up A.F. (After Frisco). People ask why I put "Frisco" on my rolling stock - and they are amazed to find out that for 104 years, Frisco was THE railroad in the Ozarks. Hopefully, out of all the people that have seen our steamers over the years, there will emerge a handful who will take hold of the throttles after we are gone. After all, look at how many people still mess with the transportation technology that preceded the steam locomotive - horses!
Dominique, Ethan, myself, and others will pass it on. Frisco has always been my favorite. Until I was about 7 I seriously thought Frisco was still around because it was on the side of #4003 and I always rode it in Silver Dollar City. I sorta associated A&M and the Frisco as one. Now I know better and I still like both railroads. My friends at school are getting interested as well and have accompanied me on many railfanning trips. There still is hope as long as we spread this addiction we call Frisco. Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
James, one Saturday run day with the Kansas City Live Steamers, a group of second or third grade kids were brought in a school bus to our track site in Wyandotte County Lake Park. As Kay Vollrath was explaining how the steamers worked, one of the more articulate youngsters remarked, "Wow, steam, a new form of energy!" I understood that he meant it was new to him but the words were very amusing and telling at the same time. We spent a great deal of time with the kids explaining how everything worked and how important the railroads were to the war effort in WWII. They were a very attentive and well-behaved group.
I love the size of the whistle on your 4-4-0! Any chance you can link a video of her under steam so we can hear it?
Here is a video of Test Run #2 last Thursday: [video=youtube;jT-96fH1x04]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT-96fH1x04[/video] The whistle is a Cincinnati Brass device, which is Lunkenheimer before it was Lunkenheimer. That would put it at pre-turn of the century (the turn of the century when steam ruled ). It's just a single note whistle, but it does the job!
To heck with Aristocraft or LGB!! This is the way to go. Great job, my friend. Many drooling fans here! Dan
Thanks for the comments guys! Now for your viewing pleasure, here is something a little different. The Wabash, Frisco and Pacific in Glencoe, Missouri has on its roster a genuine Frisco car... in 12" gauge! It was built by the Frisco in its shops and donated to the WF&P in 1950. This picture is from the day it was dedicated: Pretty neat... a 61 year old Frisco orginal still in service!
