Two separate orders- the first GP35s had torpedo tube air tanks, while the third order (725-731) came on the property riding on Alco trucks from trade-ins. In between, they rode on Blomberg trucks with no torpedo tubes. The first order had torp. tubes to allow for more fuel capacity (for Santa Fe runthrough service). I agree- they're cool-looking! My favorite is the GP38AC/-2 models, of which Frisco had 146 total. Multi-purpose, multi-assignment, they were at home from hotshot freights to coal drags (Garland, KS to Aurora, MO) to local and secondary freights. Second favorite is the GP15-1s, 100-124. The "baby tunnel motors" were used on the Central Division, and my first cab ride was on the 100 on the midnight switch job in Ft. Smith. Up to 4 would be used on trains 730-731 between Monett & Ft. Smith, and 2-3 would be used on freights on the A&A Sub around SE Oklahoma.
My absolute favorite is the SD-45... I don't remember seing the Torpedo GP35s when I was a kid, but then again I was just a kid and probably didn't know the difference between a GP35 and an SD-45 at the time.. Having said that, the Topedo GP35 *is* my second favorite! Regards.. -Mike
I'll have to go with the GP38-2's as I used to see tons of 'em over by Parkland when I worked at Southwestern Med. They usually worked in gravel train service.
I was at work and somehow never had a camera with me. Back then I only had a camera when I was only railfanning Also the hospital was on the north side of the tracks so the sun was always wrong But the view from the fourth floor was nice
One torpedo-boat GP35 coming up- in fact, the first in the series.... GP35 701 on the ready track, Ft. Smith, AR, October 1980.
GP38-2 673, from the first order of GP38-2s, on the point of local 3010, Vinita, OK, summer 1980. Ahead is Afton, 15 miles east, and eventually Monett & Springfield (the local's end). This and westbound counterpart 3011 take care of customers on the Cherokee Subdivision, arguably Frisco's busiest stretch of track (14 mainline freights, 2 locals daily). The GP38-2s (and GP38ACs) numbered 146 diesels on the roster, 144 at merger time. They ran on everything from switcher jobs to locals to freights on main and secondary lines, from general manifest to hotshots.
GP15-1 104, a baby tunnel motor, at Ashdown, AR, 10-25-1980. Toward the end, GP15-1s were used largely on the Central Division, and quite a few were based in & around the small division point town of Hugo, OK, on such trains as the Paris (TX) Switcher, the local toAshdown, the Ashdown-Hope job, and also up in Ft. Smith, AR as a yard & local switcher.
Now....I do not model the Frisco, and my era for railroading is the 50's and 60's, but I remember seeing color pictures of F's and FA's in a GREAT Black and gold scheme. Very Nice clears lines and a gold front flying the FRISCO flag logo.......
In the 50s, F-units and FA/FBs were road power on mainline freights, while the GP7s saw service on secondary and branch lines, as well as local & switching service. Until the B/Y scheme was simplified, a string of F-units or FA/FBs looked sweet. Even better than in the O/W, a scheme best suited to hood units. That era is too early for me (I model 1976-1978),but for grins & giggles I do have some black/yellow engines from back then.
Here is my shot of the BN 2557 taken @ Coulee City, WA, on the old NP CW branch out of Spokane in September of 1988. About as far away from the old Frisco as you can get. http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bn/bn2557adb.jpg
I have a pic I took back in '85 or '86 of an ex-Frisco GP-35 w/torpedoe tanks on the roof AND trucks off of an Alco FA! It was sitting in the yard at Skykomish, all by it's lonesome.
That we gotta see. I'd like to see that pic. PLease keep in mind, however, that Frisco's first order for GP35s had no Alco trucks originally- it was the 725-731 than had 'em. Most likely this particular got the Alco "shoes" in a truck swap soemwhere along the line. Be that as it may, it should make for an interesting picture
