Steam Engine & Caboose

Steam Engine and Caboose. . , Steam Engine Train , Nothing contributed to the westward expansion of the United States more than the railroad. In 1902, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company, later shortened to the FRISCO line, made its debut in this town. Originally just a water-stop for the steam engines, the arrival of the train made it possible for farmers to ship their crops and livestock to other parts of the growing country. The railroad was also instrumental in bringing passengers and settlers to Frisco. The population of Frisco grew to over 300 people in 1910., Originally built in 1910 and rebuilt in 1930, this steam engine was manufactured by ALCO (American Locomotive Company). Number 19 stands over 15 feet tall, 64 feet long and weighs 185,000 pounds. The steam engine, powered by coal, was known to be the ultimate heavy freight locomotive. , It ran on the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad from the 1930s to the 1960s. The engine and tender were then sold and put into service by the Grand Canyon Railroad. After it was retired, the train was briefly put on display in Las Vegas before making its way to Frisco in 2002. , Many volunteer hours were spent repairing and revitalizing this steam engine. The Heritage Museum is grateful for those volunteers for helping preserve a special piece of Frisco’s and our country’s history! , Caboose , A train’s caboose, usually painted red or green and always the last car on a set of railcars, served several functions. It carried a brakeman and a flagman who were the eyes and ears of the engineer making sure everything at the back of the train was running smoothly. It was also the sleeping quarters for the crew as well as an office for the conductor. , Built in 1946, this wood-sided caboose served throughout the Frisco line’s southern route from Texas to Missouri and beyond. Caboose #1144 came to Frisco in 1976 as a gift from the Frisco Railroad to celebrate our country’s Bicentennial.