May 4, 2013: And then there were five…
The Museum’s old location in Dallas’ Fair Park is looking pretty sparse these days. Only the two largest steam locomotives remain, along with the F-7A diesel locomotive used for switching and two storage box cars.
Scott Lindsay of Steam Operations Corporation has returned to lead the Museum’s Steam Crew through the final process of preparing the Frisco #4501 and Union Pacific #4018 for movement in a few weeks. Inspection and lubrication of bearings and journals have begun in earnest as the big engines are readied for the 55-mile trip to Frisco.
First to move will be the Frisco #4501. The locomotive and tender are equipped with conventional friction-type bearings, which require a higher level of maintenance than newer roller bearings. Each journal box will be drained, cleaned, and repacked with new lubricating pads and oil. The locomotive’s driving wheels will require special attention, with each “Hennessey” lubricator being bench tested before reassembly.
Weather permitting, the Frisco Railway “Meteor” graphics will be applied to the locomotive during the next week. Signage Systems, a long-time supporter of the Museum, has developed the paint masking for the project. It is hoped that the striking red “Meteor” graphic can be applied before the #4501 takes to the main line.
On the present schedule, the #4501 is likely to move from Fair Park on Sunday, May 19. The locomotive will move at a maximum speed of 10mph and will have five modern freight cars coupled to each end for additional braking. Plans are being finalized for additional logistical needs, including inspection points along the route.
Work is also progressing on the Union Pacific #4018, which should be moved to Frisco within a few weeks of #4501’s arrival. Equipped with roller bearings, the locomotive requires slightly different preparation measures to ensure safe and reliable movement to Frisco. Each bearing reservoir on the driving wheels will be drained and refilled with heavyweight gear oil. The locomotive’s side rods will be either removed or receive lubrication from temporary manual drip-type lubricators.
In researching Union Pacific mechanical records from the mid-1960s when eight of the 25 Big Boys were donated to museums and parks, it was found that the massive “Centipede” tenders were the main cause of concern, not the locomotives themselves. The tenders were more prone to problems when encountering curves, particularly when empty during back up moves. To address this issue, #4018’s tender will likely have three wheel sets (axles) “blocked up.” The wheels will be jacked up and have spacers placed such that the flanges are above the rail head. This will effectively minimize the rigidity of the long wheel base when encountering curves along the route.
The Museum has received inquiries from all over the world as to when #4018 will move from Dallas to Frisco. It is tentatively scheduled to move within a few weeks of #4501’s arrival in Frisco. The move will also occur during daylight hours on a Sunday to prevent any disruption of Trinity Railway Express operation between Dallas Union Station and Irving. Watch this website for updates on #4018’s move date.
Please note that the Museum’s Fair Park location is not open to the public. To ensure safety and security, only authorized contractors and Museum staff are permitted to enter the Fair Park facility.
