The Illinois Railway Museum announced recently that St. Louis–San Francisco Railway 2-10-0 1630, one of only two operating Decapods in the U.S., will be taken out of service early for a federally mandated overhaul. 

IRM had hoped to run the locomotive this year, but while preparing it for the season, an unforeseen mechanical issue was discovered. Instead of repairing that issue now, the museum decided to initiate its 15-year overhaul earlier than scheduled, which was supposed to begin next year. While 1630 is out of service, IRM plans on using J. Neils Lumber Co. Shay 5.

Frisco 1630 was built by Baldwin in 1918 for use in Russia, but it remained in the U.S. after the Bolshevik government could not pay for it. The engine was regauged and briefly leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad before being sold to the Frisco in 1920. Frisco later sold it to Eagle-Picher Mining, where it operated until the 1960s, when it was donated to IRM.

IRM is presently raising money to fund the 1630s restoration. —Railfan & Railroad Staff