Frisco Railroad's Bold Move to Diesel Power: A Deep Dive
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Chapter 1: Overview of the Frisco Railroad
In the previous article, we delved into the Frisco Railroad's rich history and significance. This follow-up aims to further illuminate the remarkable legacy of the Frisco, focusing on its surviving equipment and notable structures.
The Frisco Railroad made significant strides in transitioning from steam to diesel locomotives. Following World War I, the railroad faced challenges that led to the abandonment of several branch lines. Despite its ambition to expand and acquire new assets, financial strains mounted.
The rise of the automobile and the development of the interstate highway system in the 1950s severely impacted passenger traffic. Consequently, Frisco had to curtail its train services, ultimately terminating its passenger operations. This decline paved the way for its eventual merger with the Burlington Northern Railroad.
More on Surviving Equipment
Continuing from our earlier discussion on surviving equipment, here are further details on some notable locomotives:
- Frisco 1352: Originally built by ALCO in 1912 as a 2–8–0 Consolidation, it was modified to a 2–8–2 Mikado in June 1944 and is currently disassembled in Taylorville, Illinois, awaiting restoration.
- Frisco 1355: Another 2–8–0 built by ALCO in 1912, it was converted to a 2–8–2 Mikado in 1945 and is now donated to the city of Pensacola, Florida.
- Frisco 1501: One of thirty 4–8–2 Mountain-type locomotives acquired from Baldwin. It has been on static display at Schuman Park in Rolla, MO since 1955.
- Frisco 1519: This Baldwin 4–8–2 Mountain-type, delivered in 1925, is now housed at the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, Enid, Oklahoma.
- Frisco 1522: Another Baldwin 4–8–2, delivered in 1926, is on display at the National Museum of Transportation.
- Frisco 1526: Also a 1926 Baldwin 4–8–2, currently located at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, Oklahoma.
- Frisco 1529: This locomotive, delivered in 1926, famously transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934 and now resides in Frisco Park, Amory, Mississippi.
- Frisco 1615: A 2–10–0 Russian Decapod, built in 1917, is displayed in Altus, Oklahoma.
- Frisco 3695: The only surviving Frisco-series 3600 locomotive, this 0–6–0 switch engine built in 1906 is showcased at the National Museum of Transportation.
Buildings and Structures
Numerous historic buildings and structures associated with the Frisco Railroad are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Among these are:
- The St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Building in Joplin, Missouri, now known as Frisco Apartments.
- The Frisco Depot located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
- The Frisco Depot in Comanche, Texas.
- The Beaumont Retention Pond in Kansas.
- Frisco Lake, a small lake named after the railroad in Rolla, Missouri.
The Frisco Building, constructed in 1910, now recognized as the Landmark Building, serves as a significant historical site in Springfield.
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