Heritage Association of Frisco, Inc.

Train Restoration – 2004 in Review

July 3rd, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

train-01 In the spring of 2004 the Heritage Association of Frisco embarked on a quest to find a center piece for the new Heritage Center being constructed between the railroad tracks and the North Dallas Tollway just south of Main Street near downtown. Spearheaded by the association’s President Dr. Erwin Pink and Ken Creager the Railroad Restoration Project’s co-lead, the team identified a number of suitable engines for inclusion in the center. A number of investigative trips were taken to review the engines that met a basic set of criteria before a final decision was made. Once the final candidate was selected and presented to the City Council, it was unanimous decision to make the purchase of number “19” as a center piece for Heritage Center.

Number 19 was built in a 2-8-0 configuration, part of the nomenclature for the number of wheels a steam engine has on its leading edge or pilot truck at the front, the eight large driving wheels in the center, and in this case for the lack of supporting wheels under the firebox at the rear of the engine. The 2-8-0 configuration was the most common steam locomotive for North American railroads and was often referred to as a “Consolidation”, named after a locomotive series chartered by the Lehigh Valley Railroad after consolidating a series of smaller railroads through acquisition. Operating at a boiler pressure of 200 lbs #19 like its sister engines, was powered by coal which was in abundant supply in the 1900’s. Weighing in at 185,000 lbs the engine produced over 42,000 lbs of tractive effort or pulling power when in operation. Standing over 15 feet tall, 10 feet wide and over 64 feet in length with its tender in tow, the engine with its 50 inch driving wheels is a fantastic monument to nineteenth century American innovation and manufacturing.

Making Its Way to Frisco

train-02 #19 while belonging to a number of other railroads in its nearly 100 year history, it is very similar to the “Consolidations” that ran on the Frisco at that time. The “Frisco” had 310 such Consolidations in 25 classes or styles from late 1882 until the early 1950’s. Number 19 is now undergoing restoration in Heritage Center, next to the BNSF main line. Once the first two phases of the restoration are completed (Schedule for Summer 2005) a number of other railroad artifacts including a pair of Railway Express carts and #1144, our 1946 wood-sided caboose currently located next to the library and police headquarters will be relocated to the site.

The restoration and preservation efforts are being lead by the Heritage Association under the direction of Ken Creager and John Hoxie, co-project leads, both Frisco residents. The restoration efforts are being funded through private donations and corporate sponsorships along with some support from the city, and will take a number of years to complete with volunteers representing the bulk of the work effort. Currently the engine has been stripped of many of its parts, cleaned and been painted in a thick coat of primer. Once some additional repairs are made the final coat of black paint and lettering will be applied.

Heritage Center will be a living monument to Frisco’s past with an active museum of restored structures from the area, and most importantly, a replica of the original Frisco Railroad Depot near the railroad tracks. As Frisco is the namesake of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, it is only fitting for the city to display some railroad memorabilia as part of this living museum.

While #19 may never move under its own power again, its whistle will blow, its bell will ring, and headlight will point the way as a living part of Frisco’s heritage.

Undergoing Restoration

train-03 If you would like additional information or would like to make a donation to the “Railroad Restoration Fund” to help with the preservation efforts, please contact the Frisco Heritage Association at: HAF, PO Box 263, Frisco TX 75034.