Train Restoration - 2005 in Review

Through generous donations and sponsorships in 2005, we were able to make significant progress on the restoration of our 1910 2-8-0 Steam Locomotive. Nearly complete with phase one of the restoration process, the Heritage team was able to completely remove all the old paint and grime from the engine, repair and replace (rebuild) a number of parts and completely transform the engine to look as if it did for the ‘Frisco’ when it first rolled off the assembly line.

We would like to thank our sponsors for 2005, Cisco Systems, the Stonebriar Centre, the Frisco Roughriders baseball team, and First National Bank. Their generous donations made most of this effort possible.

We would also like to recognize the special gifts of time, energy and creativity given by the machine shop crew at the Exide Corporation under the direction of Randy Mitchell, whose countless hours have helped to construct parts and pieces for most every part of the engine. In addition, we want to thank David Barnes for the great paint work he and his son completed during the year. Last, we give a special thanks to Dan Mergen and his son for the great work done on the cow catcher!

While #19 may never move under its own power again, its whistle does blow, its bell rings, and headlight points the way as a living part of Frisco’s heritage. Take a moment to stop by on a Saturday morning around 9:30 and you may get the chance to hear that ole whistle blow!

#19 in the Early Years

The History

In the spring of 2004 the Heritage Association of Frisco embarked on a quest to find a center piece for the new Heritage Park 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 park. 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 Park.

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.

#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 Park, next to the BNSF main line. Once the first two phases of the restoration are completed (Scheduled for Summer to Fall of 2006) 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.

Heritage Park 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.

The Frisco Caboose - Ready for Restoration

2006 Work Plan

The city of Frisco was the recipient of a caboose in 1976 as part of the country’s bi-centennial celebration. Donated by the Frisco Railroad, now (BNSF) the caboose has been utilized as a museum, Chamber of Commerce office and most recently as a storage location for historical materials near the city’s public library. Located in an older part of the city in what is now Bi-Centennial Park, the caboose has been maintained by the local Garden Club, members of the Heritage Association and Boy Scouts since its arrival.

Originally built by the Frisco in 1946, the #1144 served throughout the Frisco Lines southern route map from Texas to Missouri and beyond. Once covered in tong-and-grooved sheathing, the caboose was converted over to plywood sometime in the 1960’s. While the interior remains in its original condition the deterioration of the outer layer of the caboose has begun to take a dramatic toll on the overall appearance and structural integrity of this fine artifact.

The goal of the Heritage Association is to relocate the caboose to Heritage Park and begin and extensive exterior restoration process in order to preserve this great piece. Early estimates have the total cost of restoration near $25,000, which includes the cost of relocation to its permanent location behind #19.

Caboose Relocation, Restoration & Preservation time lines:

If successful with our fundraising activities, the Caboose will be relocated to the restoration site in Heritage Park at the expense of around $5,000 dollars, funded in full by the Heritage Association. To date, 100 feet of section rail on a reinforced concrete pad house the locomotive and future home of the caboose.

Once relocated, a small shop will be constructed in one of the museum buildings, preferably the Depot, once completed, for the restoration effort. A temporary building may also be used if no other suitable facility is available at the time of restoration.

Early estimates are for basic materials and workmanship (most all activities are Volunteer based) come in at a cost of around $25,000 with nearly all our funding coming from Grants, generous benefactors, matching contributions and funds from the Heritage Association. No person, other than those performing a specific craftsmanship function will be paid during this project.

Once enough funds are secured (January – March 2006) the Caboose will be moved to Heritage Park and work will begin on the exterior restoration. Time lines are as follows based upon current funding and resources:

1. Additional 40 ft of Section rail added to the site in preparation for the caboose – January 2005. Heritage Funded & Completed!
2. Caboose relocation to site of restoration and final preservation – February-March 2006. Heritage or Donation Funded.
3. Purchase and securing of supplies and materials needed for restoration process – March-April 2006. Grant, Donation & Grant funded.
4. Shop build out – May. Heritage Funded.
5. Develop Project plan and resource requirements – February 2006.
6. Restoration work begins – March 2006, Grant, Donation & HAF funded. 7. Exterior Restoration complete – December 2006

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.

The Heritage Association hopes to welcome new sponsors for 2006 with their generous donations to our project list. Our list of sponsors for 2006 is already building!

• First National Bank

Click here to review the train restoration activities in 2004.