Steam Locomotive Fans

#1522 on it's final run. Photo courtesy of Zach Pumphery

Frisco #1522 was the only 4-8-2 Mountain type operating in America as of 2002. It was retired a short time ago (2002)after years of faithful excursion service.

The 4-8-2 Mountain type locomotive was originally created by the Baltimore & Ohio RR. B&O needed a heavy, powerful engine that could lift tonnage up the RRs steep grades. The 4-8-2 was the perfect answer. The USRA perfected two types of 4-8-2, The Light Mountain and The Heavy Mountain. When 4-8-4 Northerns were introuced, 4-8-2s were bumped from higher class assignments and by the 1950s had mostly been reduced to low priority freight jobs.

Frisco #1522 was built in 1926 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the St. Louis and Sanfranciso Railroad. It was retired by the Frisco in the early 1950s. In 1988 it was restored by the St. Louis Steam Train Association. Sadly, in 2002, the engine was tired due to the lack of funds to do the required and expensive boiler inspection. The St. Louis Steam Train Association was dissolved in 2002.

1522 Specs:

Top Speed: 90 mph

Max load: In excursion service, 22 loaded passenger cars up a 1.2% grade.

Tractive effort (lbs): 56, 800 lbs.

Boiler Pressure: 201 psi

Fuel: #6 oil 

Modeling Tips:

Bachmann Spectrum makes an HO Light 4-8-2 lettered for Frisco. I'm sure someone has produced one in brass as well.