The two Frisco VO-660s were originally numbered SLSF 600 and SLSF 601. They were delivered to the SLSF in Pensacola in 1942. Throughout their Frisco career, they struggled on their assignments as they were underpowered with only 660 HP. Though the Frisco continued to order Baldwin's 1000 HP VO-1000s, they did not return to Baldwin for more VO-660s. When the Frisco began to order their EMD GP7s in 1950-1952, the two VO-660s were renumbered to SLSF 60 and 61 in order to clear up the 600-601 numbers for GP7s. The Stewart VO-660 is a nice model. Ken
Please see the photograph below of VO-660 in St. Louis dated 11/10/64 of unit 61. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=117916 The VO-660 units were originally numbered 600 and 601. Delivered during WWII the units were originally first painted in the Zepher Blue and White with Red lettering. When delivered they were assigned to Pensacola, FL. The units were renumbered in June of 1951 to make room for additional EMD GP-7 units that overran the 500 series numbers. I suspect they were repainted Black and Yellow before being renumbered and would have had the "full" striping pattern. Later they would have received the "simplified" striping pattern. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Mark, Here is SLSF 61 in the "full" striping. Both she and SLSF 60 served for a period as the switchers assigned to Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale in the period around 1960. This shot is in Fort Smith, AR in 2/1960, where they came for their periodic inspections. Gordon
Comparing my photo with Mark's excellent slide taken a year later, you will notice that the classification lights have been removed. They would have been needed during the locomotive's Central Division service in order to move between the three towns on the mainline and also, presumably, to work the Bentonville Branch. They would not have been needed for yard service in St. Louis. Gordon