UNION, Ill. — A “mechanical issue” discovered during preparations for the 2025 season has led the Illinois Railway Museum to remove its Frisco 2-10-0, No. 1630, from service, IRM has announced. The museum will now begin the locomotive’s federally mandated 1,472-day inspection earlier than anticipated to address repairs and a return to service.
The inspection and repairs will require “significant funding,” the museum said in an announcement on its website. Those interested in donating can do so at this page on the IRM website.
With No. 1630 sidelined, J. Neils Lumber Shay No. 5 becomes the museum’s only operating steam locomotive. Its schedule should become available later in May.
Work on No. 1630 will take place in parallel with ongoing work to restore Union Pacific 2-8-0 No. 428 to operating condition, the museum says. Work on that Baldwin, built in 1900, is currently focused on rebuilding the pilot truck and construction of a shop truck to allow the removal of the remaining drivers.
No. 1630 was built by Baldwin in 1918 for export to Russia. When the Bokshevik Revolution took place, the 2-10-0 was instead sold to the Frisco. It arrived at the museum in 1967. More on its history is available here.
The back cover of the May 1965 issue of Model Railroader had the PFM ad featuring the Russian Decapods. The picture was of the “Frisco” variation.
Bad news for the interested rail enthusiasts!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
“With No. 1630 sidelined, J. Neils Lumber Shay No. 5 becomes the museum’s only operating locomotive. Its operating schedule should become available later in May.”
I think you meant “only operating STEAM locomotive”
IRM has working diesels and electrics in its roster.