The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, also known as the Valley Railroad, has acquired former Frisco steam locomotive no. 1352. 1352 is a 2-8-2 mikado type locomotive that was built as a 2-8-0 in 1912 for the St Louis-San Francisco Railway (a.k.a. the “Frisco”) then rebuilt into a 2-8-2 in 1944.
The locomotive was retired in 1956 and put on display in Missouri where it suffered from flooding and vandalism. After several moves and ownership changes, it was bought by the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association in 2008 and moved to Illinois. ASR intended to restore the locomotive to operation, but concentrated their efforts instead on Reading 2100, which is nearing completion. The sale of 1352 to the Valley Railroad will help fund some of the remaining restoration work on 2100.
1352 will be the third ALCO and third 2-8-2 Mikado type locomotive on the operational steam roster. It will join the three other operational steam locomotives (40, 97, 3025) in pulling the railroad’s passenger excursions. No information has been given on when the locomotive will be moved to the railroad or when restoration will start.
Image from the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Facebook page
Learn more
Facebook announcement
Railfan and Railroad article
RYPN discussion
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat website