Locomotive Builder's Plate - Pewter Replica

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......Builder's Plate replica from the Rock Island Steam Locomotive # 905.... A perfect Christmas Gift or a momento for yourself Do you have someone who has everything, or wants nothing? I did...my Parents, and still do....my Parents-in-laws. All nice people, but impossible to buy for.....almost impossible. Almost every one of them remember the age of steam fondly. They and anyone else who likes railroading would like to own this.......at the same time be helping to restore this old iron horse. The Plate: The 905 h ad a builder's plate welded to the fireman's side of the smoke box telling who build the locomotive, w and when and a number. This is pewter replica of the Rock Island # 905's plate. It was made for our group by The Michael Anthony Ricker Studios. (You won't find their name on the plate or base since they didn't design it.) This plate is 4 inches wide by 2 inches high with a 1/4 inch lip on the bottom to attach it to the wooden base. The base is wood, 4 inches wide, 1 1/2 inch deep and 3/4 inch high. When put together (it will come that way), it is 2 7/8 inches high, 1 1/2 inches deep and 4 inches wide. The front of the plate doesn't have the "905" road number on it. The numbers were given to each loco by the current owner and not the builder. The plate back does, and lists the specifics for the "905". Listed are: Loco #, builder, place, cost, date, weight, type, tractive force, driver size, fuel type, amount of fuel & water, speeds and date out of service and current location. The Locomotive: Rock Island # 905 is a 4-6-2 Pacific Type, coal fired steam locomotive. It was built in 1910 by the American Locomotive Company, ALCO. It ran passenger service on the north-south line through El Reno, Oklahoma. When most of the other locomotives were converted to oil, it remained coal. While all written books state t were no coal operations south of Kansas City after 1931, we have a photo taken in the mid-1940s in Waurika, Oklahoma of the 905 pulling a local passenger consist. She was retired in 1954 and given to Duncan, Oklahoma w she was moved to the central park. Currently she is rusting and developing holes that require asbestos removal and sealing. The city attempted to get rid of her in 2000, but a local group requested a chance to restore her. Nothing was done until November 2004 when the group was revamped with new leadership and volunteers. The Restoration: Save the 905, Inc., a not-for-profit group with 501 (c)3 status. Money raising is the biggest project. Since step 1 is asbestos removal and that is a $25,000 step 1. We have received a matching $20,000 grant and are raising money using every method from garage sales, corporate, business and individual solicitation, selling donated model train equipment, builder's plate replicas and begging. A fair amount of our own money is in this project. We have the money for the asbestos removal, but have put it off until we find out the results of a upcoming federal grant. This year's goal is $71,000. With that and the grant we can remove the asbestos, restore the locomotive, move it about 300 feet to a new 150 ft. by 50 ft fenced display area, add a caboose and build a replica of the 1890s Duncan Rock Island Train Station. Total costs: $350,000. Most of this could be completed in 2007. Without the federal grant, we will remove the asbestos, begin restoration, build a fenced pad and move the locomotive in 2007. The rest will be completed as money is available. Time is a function of money. The photos shown are: The front of the pewter replica as mounted on its wooden base. The back of the pewter replica with information about the 905. The location of the 905's Builder's plate on the smokebox. The actual Builder's plate. The 905 as she appeared in 2000 complete with rust and Christmas lights. The 905 in the mid-1940s in Waurika, Oklahoma. A copy of the last four photos will accompany your Builder's Plate along with a small brochure ... read more

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