Are there any FRISCO fans out there that have made it big, or have the connections to make a miracle happen? I'm feeling that it's about time to take one of her soon-to-be retired diesels back to her roots in Red and White to take place in a museum somewhere. I figure we're all old enough to have somebody in our fraternity that can make this happen? I'm not wealthy by any stretch, but I'd drop in a grand for any restoration effort. Think BNSF would donate an ex-SLSF GP38-2 or something for such a cause? I sure as hell miss seing those colors... -Mike PS... Even better would be to get her painted BEFORE retirement and let her do one last run to her final home!
Interesting question. What units remain in service? I'm trying to think- Has BNSF been very generous in doing something like this previously? I know that in past years, BN made a donation or two, here and there. But right now, I can't think of what their successor has done? Boxcab E50
I imagine most of the GP38-2's are still in service as well as the SD40-2's, GP40-2's (w/ KCS?) and GP15's. Here's BNSF 6847 (SLSF 957) in July of '03 pulling strong on point... http://www.qstation.org/Stampede/jpeg/26_W_Bullfrog_BNSF_6847_W_7-4-03.jpg
I see that the photo URL shows the words "Stampede" and "Bullfrog." If this is referencing the old Bullfrog Mill spur site, I know it fairly well. Kind of miss that area, as we lived much less than an hour's drive west of there. Hope to get back over there this summer. Maybe.... I used to see ex-Frisco BN units on local trains coming through our town over there. Believe they were GP39-2? With the torpedo tubes on top. Wish I had a slide scanner, so to share them with you. Boxcab E50
Found that pic from this page, has several other nice pics from the area... http://www.qstation.org/Stampede/stampede_gallery_3.html The torpedo tubes were from the first order of GP35's. I think BN later removed the roof mounted tanks for the more conventional configuration during rebuilds (when they became GP39E's?) Regards, -Mike [ 23. January 2005, 03:40: Message edited by: SLSF Freak ]
The first order of GP35s had the rooftop air tanks because of the desire for increased fuel capacity. With a bigger tank, the best place to place the air tanks was on top of the roof, hence the nickname "torpedo tubes". They were also delivered in the black & yellow livery, and later repainted to the O/W colors. I believe the increased fuel capacity was for Frisco's desire to run the GP35s in the run-thru trains with Santa Fe. Later deliveries came with standard-size fuel tanks, and the air tanks back below the walkway.
IIRC, C&NW got quite a few of Frisco's GP7s. These days, most if not all have chopped short hoods, so they would have to be "hi-nosed" for starters before being repainted (and to do it right, it needs to be in black with the full stripe treatment). Wonder if anyone has considered preserving a GP15-1......Frisco had 25 of them, and the O/W looks much better than Beansniff colors
