St. Louis–San Francisco 4003 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. Louis–San Francisco 4003
Frisco 4003 in 2008.
Type and origin References: Power type Steam Builder ALCO Serial number 60946 Model USRA Light Mikado Build date August–October 1919
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2 Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 33 in (838 mm) Driver dia. 63 in (1,600 mm) Trailing dia. 44 in (1,118 mm) Wheelbase 36.9 ft (11 m) Width 10.0 ft (3.0 m) Height 15.1 ft (4.6 m) Axle load 60,100 lb (27 t) Adhesive weight 228,400 lb (104 t) Loco weight 305,424 lb (139 t) Tender weight 189,400 lb (86 t) Total weight 494,824 lb (224 t) Fuel type Coal Water cap. 10,000 US gal (37,854 L) Tender cap. 18 short tons (16 t) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 67 sq ft (6 m2) Boiler 90 in (2,286 mm) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 380 sq ft (35 m2)  • Flues 3,441 sq ft (320 m2)  • Tubes and flues 3,821 sq ft (355 m2)  • Total surface 4,714 sq ft (438 m2) Superheater: ​  • Type Schmidt  • Heating area 882 sq ft (82 m2) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 26 in × 30 in (660 mm × 762 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type Piston Loco brake Air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Tractive effort 54,700 lbf (243 kN) Factor of adh. 4.17
Career Operators Frisco Number in class Lima Locomotive Works: 30 ALCO 3 (#4002, 4003, 4005) Numbers 4000-4032 Axle load class 51 First run 1919 Retired 1952 Current owner Fort Smith Trolley Museum Disposition Static display St. Louis San Francisco (Frisco) Railway Steam Locomotive #4003 U.S. National Register of Historic Places Location in Arkansas Show map of Arkansas Location in the United States Show map of the United States Location 100 S 4th St., Fort Smith, Arkansas Area less than one acre Built 1919 Architect American Locomotive Company NRHP reference No. 04000500 Added to NRHP July 12, 2004

The St. Louis–San Francisco 4003 is a special kind of steam train. It's known as a "Mikado" type, which means it has a specific wheel arrangement: two small wheels at the front, eight large driving wheels in the middle, and two small wheels at the back (2-8-2). This powerful engine was built in 1919 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO).

It was originally meant for the Pennsylvania Railroad. However, that railroad decided not to take many of the trains. So, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) gave 23 of these locomotives, including the 4003, to the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway. This railway was often called the "Frisco." Today, you can see the St. Louis–San Francisco 4003 on display at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

How USRA Locomotives Were Built

During World War I, from 1917 to 1920, the United States government took control of all the railroads. This was done to make sure trains could move supplies and soldiers efficiently. As part of this plan, new trains built during this time had to follow special "USRA standard designs."

The Light Mikado was one of these standard designs. The 4003 was one of 625 Light Mikados built by the USRA. Many more were built later, making it one of the most common train designs ever. After the Frisco railway got these Mikado trains, they made some changes. They added "boosters" to the back wheels to give them more power. They also raised the cab roofs so the engineers had more room.

The Story of Locomotive 4003

Locomotive 4003 was one of three Mikado trains built by ALCO in 1919. It was made at their Schenectady Locomotive Works factory. This large train cost about $53,619 to build back then.

The Frisco railway used the 4003 to pull heavy freight trains. It traveled between Fort Smith, Arkansas and Monett, Missouri. This route included a challenging part through the Boston Mountains, which had steep hills. The train helped move important goods like berries and zinc. In 1941 alone, a million quarts of berries were shipped by train!

In the late 1940s, many railroads, including the Frisco, started using diesel trains. Diesel trains were newer and more efficient than steam trains. Because of this, the 4003 was retired from service in early 1952. This happened just before the very last steam train ran on the Frisco railway.

4003's Retirement and Display

The Frisco railway kept the 4003 until 1954. Then, they gave it to the City of Fort Smith. The city put the train on display at Kay Rodgers Park. It stayed there for nearly 50 years, a big piece of history for everyone to see.

Later, the city moved the locomotive to the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. The museum agreed to pay for the cost of moving the huge train. Today, the 4003 is still on display outside the museum. It's a great example of the powerful steam engines that once moved goods across the country.

While it might be possible to make the 4003 run again, it would be very expensive. Also, the museum doesn't have a long enough track for it to run on. In 2004, the locomotive was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical item.

Images for kids

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  Frisco 4003 in 2008.