Steam & Excursion > Mississippian 76

As we begin to welcome our newest locomotive (CNW 175) to the SRI family, we’ll also be saying goodbye to another. Mississippian Railway 76, a 2-8-0 steam locomotive that has been part of our collection since 2005, has been purchased by the Oakland B&O Museum. The locomotive will be leaving Owosso later this year and moved to its new home in Oakland, Maryland. The Oakland Community Heritage Foundation has already engaged a specialist in steam locomotive repair to restore the 76 as a beautiful exhibit at their developing museum.

While it is sad to bid farewell to the 76, we at the Steam Railroading Institute are ecstatic to know that it’ll receive a loving new home and continue to be preserved for many years to come thanks to our friends at the Oakland B&O Museum! Visit their website: www.oaklandbandomuseum.org

I certainly hope they don't try to turn it into something it never was, but will restore it as Mississippian 76, or even better as Frisco (JLC&E) 76. I don't have a slide of 76 handy, but here is her identical sister back in the day. [Amory, MS 12-29-61, my photo]

Gordon

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gbmott Wrote:
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> I certainly hope they don't try to turn it into
> something it never was, but will restore it as
> Mississippian 76, or even better as Frisco (JLC&E)
> 76. I don't have a slide of 76 handy, but here is
> her identical sister back in the day.
>
> Gordon


Was the Mississippian as subsidiary of the Frisco?

Dear gbmott.....be careful..... there are a lot of people here that don't care if something is restored to historical accuracy, as long as it is not scrapped.

I'm with Gordon. They were attractive little engines in their Frisco livery. The 77 soldiers on up in Canada and has lost her original identity, but she is at least running. The Mississippian was a neat little operation.
I think one of the JLC&E 2-6-0s still exists in Victoria AR.
The 76 has certainly bounced around a lot and I hope she makes it this time.

Keystone1 Wrote:
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> Dear gbmott.....be careful..... there are a lot of
> people here that don't care if something is
> restored to historical accuracy, as long as it is
> not scrapped.

I was expressing a preference. I certainly wasn't suggesting it be scrapped rather be modified. I'm happy to see 4960 operating on the Grand Canyon even though I'd prefer if she still looked like 4960. Chill.

Gordon

SD80MACfan Wrote:
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> Was the Mississippian as subsidiary of the Frisco?

No, the Mississippian was an independent short line headquartered in Amory, MS, where connection was made with the Frisco. 76 and 77 were built new for the Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern in eastern Arkansas. The JLC&E was later acquired by the Frisco, though as far as I know the 76 and 77 never strayed from home.

Gordon