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FRISCO 200 DIESEL RETURNS TO SERVICE AT TVRM

Frisco 200 Rolls Again: A Classic Diesel Returns to Life at TVRM

When Saint Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) locomotive 200 rolled out of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Soule Shops this morning, it wasn’t just another shop move. It was the return of a one-of-a-kind diesel, wearing its familiar Frisco paint scheme once more and ready to work again after a decade in storage and more than 80 years since it first turned a wheel.

This rare locomotive’s story stretches from wartime freight service to U.S. Navy duty and, finally, to preservation in Chattanooga. Now, thanks to the work of TVRM’s mechanical team and partners, Frisco 200 is ready to take on a new chapter—sharing living rail history with today’s visitors.

From Baldwin to Frisco’s First Diesel

Locomotive 200 began life at a turning point in American railroading.

  • Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works

  • Model: VO-1000

  • Delivered: November 1941

  • Original Owner: St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (“Frisco”)

As the first diesel locomotive on the Frisco, 200 arrived just as the United States was entering World War II. While steam still dominated the rails, railroads were experimenting with diesel power for switching and road-switcher duties. The Baldwin VO-1000 was part of that early wave—rugged, purposeful, and built to work.

Frisco 200 would have spent its early years doing exactly that: moving freight, building trains, and proving that diesel power could handle jobs once reserved for steam locomotives.

Rebuilt by EMD: A Unique Hybrid Survivor

When Baldwin exited the locomotive business, owners faced a choice: retire their Baldwins or rebuild them with more standardized components.

In 1959, Frisco chose the latter. Locomotive 200 was sent to EMD (Electro-Motive Division) for a major transformation.

  • The original Baldwin prime mover was replaced with an EMD engine.

  • A new EMD-style hood was fitted.

  • The locomotive retained only its original frame and cab from its Baldwin days.

The result was a truly unique unit—Baldwin at its core, EMD under the hood. That hybrid past is part of what makes Frisco 200 such an important piece in TVRM’s collection today.

From Frisco to Burlington Northern to the U.S. Navy

In 1980, the Frisco system was merged into Burlington Northern (BN). Like many older locomotives, 200 no longer fit into BN’s long-term plans and was sold to a used-equipment dealer.

From there, the locomotive embarked on another unexpected chapter:

  • Sold to the United States Navy

  • Renumbered 65-00624

  • Assigned as No. 8 at Naval Support Activity Crane in Indiana

At Crane, the locomotive handled base switching, serving quietly in military support work far from the mainline spotlight. After decades of service, the Navy retired the engine in 2015, and it was made available through the GSA Surplus Property program.

Working with the State of Tennessee’s Surplus Property program, TVRM acquired the locomotive, and Frisco 200 began its move to Chattanooga, where its working life would be preserved rather than scrapped.

Ten Years in Storage, Then a Return to Soule Shops

After arriving at TVRM, locomotive 200 spent ten years in storage, waiting its turn in a long list of preservation projects. Heavy diesel work requires time, funding, and careful planning, and TVRM balances these needs across a large fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight equipment.

Earlier this year, that moment finally came. Frisco 200 was rolled into Soule Shops, TVRM’s primary restoration and maintenance facility, to begin the work needed to return it to service.

The scope of work included:

  • Prime mover attention – inspecting, repairing, and tuning the EMD engine so it can reliably power the locomotive once again.

  • Brake systems – ensuring safe, responsive braking that meets modern operating standards.

  • Control systems – checking and servicing electrical and control components so crews can operate the locomotive with confidence.

  • Carbody repairs – addressing metalwork, body panels, and other exterior components.

  • Fresh paint and lettering – restoring the locomotive in its Frisco paint scheme, capturing its late-career railroad appearance.

TVRM extends a special thank-you to ScaleTrains for their technical assistance on the locomotive’s lettering, ensuring that Frisco 200’s appearance is both accurate and visually striking for visitors and railfans alike.

Why Frisco 200 Matters for Rail Preservation

Frisco 200 is more than just another diesel in the yard. It represents:

  • The dawn of diesel power on the Frisco, as the railroad’s first diesel locomotive.

  • A rare Baldwin-EMD hybrid, with a Baldwin frame and cab married to an EMD heart.

  • A survivor of multiple eras—Frisco, Burlington Northern, and U.S. Navy service.

By returning 200 to operation, TVRM preserves not only an artifact but also the sights, sounds, and motion of mid-20th-century diesel railroading. Visitors won’t just see a static display; they’ll be able to watch and, in time, ride behind a locomotive that earned its keep in freight yards, on military bases, and along busy rail lines.

This aligns directly with TVRM’s mission: to preserve, operate, and interpret railroad equipment so that future generations can experience railroading as something living and dynamic—not just something in books or behind glass.

What This Means for Guests at TVRM

With Frisco 200 released from Soule Shops, the locomotive can begin test runs, crew training, and eventual assignment to museum operations. While exact schedules are always subject to maintenance and operational needs, guests can look forward to:

  • Seeing Frisco 200 in motion, not just parked.

  • Photographing a freshly painted Frisco diesel in authentic colors.

  • Experiencing TVRM rides powered by a locomotive with deep roots in both railroad and military service.

To see when Frisco 200 may appear on a public train, keep an eye on the TVRM calendar:
https://www.tvrail.com/calendar/

FAQs About Frisco 200 at TVRM

1. Will I be able to ride behind Frisco 200?

TVRM’s goal is to place Frisco 200 into regular museum service, which can include leading or assisting on select passenger rides, special events, or demonstration moves. Exact assignments depend on:

  • Operating schedules

  • Mechanical needs

  • Special events and themed rides

To see current locomotives in use, always check the official TVRM schedule or follow TVRM on social media for up-to-date announcements about power assignments and special appearances.

2. What kind of locomotive is Frisco 200?

Frisco 200 is a Baldwin VO-1000 that was later rebuilt by EMD with a new engine and hood. That makes it a rare example of a Baldwin diesel that survived long enough to be modernized and then preserved.

For enthusiasts who want to dive deeper into the VO-1000 type and its role in early dieselization, look for resources on Baldwin switcher locomotives and Frisco’s diesel roster via reputable rail history books, museum materials, and enthusiast groups. TVRM’s own equipment pages at https://www.tvrail.com/equipment/ are an excellent place to start when exploring the museum’s diverse collection.

3. How did TVRM acquire Frisco 200 from the U.S. Navy?

After its time with the Navy at Naval Support Activity Crane, Indiana, the locomotive—then numbered 65-00624 and used as base engine No. 8—was retired and made available through the GSA Surplus Property system.

Through cooperation with the State of Tennessee Surplus Property program, TVRM was able to:

  • Apply for and secure the locomotive as surplus property

  • Arrange transportation to Chattanooga

  • Add it to the museum’s operating collection for preservation and future use

You can learn more about TVRM’s broader preservation work and mission at:
https://www.tvrail.com/about-us/

Plan Your Visit to See Frisco 200

With Frisco 200 now out of Soule Shops, it’s the perfect time to plan a visit:

  • Explore TVRM’s fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger coaches, and cabooses.

  • Enjoy a scenic train ride departing from Grand Junction Station in Chattanooga or from Delano, Tennessee, depending on the experience you choose.

  • Watch for special announcements featuring Frisco 200 in event lineups, photo opportunities, or enthusiast weekends.

Start planning at https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/ and look for updates that mention Frisco 200 by name.

Frisco 200’s return to service is a powerful reminder that rail preservation is about more than saving hardware—it’s about keeping stories, skills, and experiences alive.

Come see this unique Frisco diesel in person, hear the engine come to life, and feel the rumble under your feet as it goes back to work where it belongs—on the rails.

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