Frisco Silver Dollar Line No. 43 is a 2-foot (600mm) gauge 0-4-0T type steam locomotive that was built by Orenstein & Koppel (O&K) of Berlin, Germany in 1934 and currently operates on the Frisco Silver Dollar Line at the Silver Dollar City amusement park in Branson, Missouri. It is one of four operational steam locomotives at Silver Dollar City.
History[]
FSDL 43 was built in 1934 by Orenstein & Koppel Co. (O&K) of Berlin, Germany. It ran for Peter Buescher & Sohn of Muenster, Germany, a construction contractor. After several years, 43 was imported into the United States. In 1965, Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri, purchased two 50 hp O&Ks. One of the 50hps was placed into service at their theme park called Silver Dollar City. They numbered it 43, continuing a trend of naming their engines after local highways. 43 has ran on the Frisco Silver Dollar Line ever since, and as of 2023, it is one of Silver Dollar City's four operable locomotives, the others being 0-4-0T type Nos. 14 and 76 and converted 0-4-0 type No. 504. 43 is one of the most iconic locomotives of the Frisco Silver Dollar Line, as it has been shown in many brochures, billboards, and pictures around the park. As of today, 43 is also one of the most famous locomotives of the Frisco Silver Dollar Line, the others being 76 and 504.
Trivia[]
- 43 is designated a 50 hp class by its builder. O&K referred to their products by their horsepower rating.
- 43 received a new boiler in 1991 by Mid-South Steam Boiler of Van Buren, Arkansas.
- 43 received many improvements in early 2019, including removal of the pony trucks.
- In 2017, 43's pilot was redone, complete with a front coupler.
- 43 wore a box headlamp from 2009 to 2019.
- 43 is the oldest and smallest operational locomotive on the FSDL.
- 43 has worn several different whistles on the FSDL, including a D&RGW 5-chime, an AT&SF 6-chime, a 4-inch Lunkenheimer 3-chime, a CMO 3-chime, and a Lonergan 3-chime, among others. Right now, it currently carries the D&RGW 5-chime.
- 43 used to have a longer side tank on her left side that stretched into the cab. This was removed in 2019. The three "OG" tank engines had this characteristic. 13 is the only engine still to have an extended tank. Without them, the engines have better weight distribution.
- In September 2023, 43 received a newly-crafted number plate on its smokebox door along with some other major improvements and changes.
- 43 has a planned overhaul in the coming years, which will take place before FSDL 13's eventual major overhaul.
Gallery[]
