Ken Creager is fundraising
Save Frisco 3749
Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Florida Railroad Museum Inc, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
The Story of Frisco Railroad's 3749
In 1957 MGM released the "Wings of Eagles" recorded at the Pensacola Navel Air Station, the birthplace of navel aviation. Staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the film also stared an unassuming Frisco Railroad 0-6-0 type locomotive numbered 3749, weighting 77 tons with an 11-foot wheelbase for switching services in the film.
After filming the Frisco 3749, the last of its kind, set in Pensacola's Pen Yard for several years until it was finally sold to a local scrap dealer in 1968 or 1969 where it remained intact until the seventies.
Frisco retired the 3749 in Sept.1952, from then until the Fall of 1956 it was leased to Alabama State Prison and worked their branch from Huxford to the prison. It was then moved to Pensacola and used in the movie until early 1957 when it was placed into storage. It remained in Pensacola until the Fall of 1966 when it was sold for scrap to Pensacola Scrap Processors. Saved again, it was moved there in November of 1966 and then sold to a private individual in the Orlando, FL. area where remained until late 1970s, when it was then donated to the city. It was then displayed at the Church St. Station in Orlando before being donated to the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, FL in 2012.
As a point of introduction, my name is Ken Creager and I volunteer as the Director of Steam restoration at the museum where I am embarking on a journey to restore the locomotive cosmetically to its 1957 glory as it served in the movie (As seen in the picture).
As with any non-profit, funding is always a key to our success and this project is no different. With such a rich history, and being the only survivor of this locomotive type, it is our goal to run this go-Fund-me campaign to drive awareness to the plight of the locomotive and raise funds for its restoration.
As the locomotive is often referred to as “Old Duke” due to the reference with the John Wayne movie, we are looking to complete the restoration effort this locomotive in the next year, back to a presentable condition for the museum to share with tourists and students in the area. With work already well under way, it is time to drive this project to a finish.
Thanks in advance for your assistance – I have attached a few images of the “Now and Then” to show you what we hope to accomplish in the coming 2019/20 restoration year.
We appreciate your kind consideration in this request. The Florida Railroad Museum (FRRM.org) is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and your funds may be tax deductible – your kindness is greatly appreciated!
Ken Creager
The Story of Frisco Railroad's 3749
In 1957 MGM released the "Wings of Eagles" recorded at the Pensacola Navel Air Station, the birthplace of navel aviation. Staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the film also stared an unassuming Frisco Railroad 0-6-0 type locomotive numbered 3749, weighting 77 tons with an 11-foot wheelbase for switching services in the film.
After filming the Frisco 3749, the last of its kind, set in Pensacola's Pen Yard for several years until it was finally sold to a local scrap dealer in 1968 or 1969 where it remained intact until the seventies.
Frisco retired the 3749 in Sept.1952, from then until the Fall of 1956 it was leased to Alabama State Prison and worked their branch from Huxford to the prison. It was then moved to Pensacola and used in the movie until early 1957 when it was placed into storage. It remained in Pensacola until the Fall of 1966 when it was sold for scrap to Pensacola Scrap Processors. Saved again, it was moved there in November of 1966 and then sold to a private individual in the Orlando, FL. area where remained until late 1970s, when it was then donated to the city. It was then displayed at the Church St. Station in Orlando before being donated to the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, FL in 2012.
As a point of introduction, my name is Ken Creager and I volunteer as the Director of Steam restoration at the museum where I am embarking on a journey to restore the locomotive cosmetically to its 1957 glory as it served in the movie (As seen in the picture).
As with any non-profit, funding is always a key to our success and this project is no different. With such a rich history, and being the only survivor of this locomotive type, it is our goal to run this go-Fund-me campaign to drive awareness to the plight of the locomotive and raise funds for its restoration.
As the locomotive is often referred to as “Old Duke” due to the reference with the John Wayne movie, we are looking to complete the restoration effort this locomotive in the next year, back to a presentable condition for the museum to share with tourists and students in the area. With work already well under way, it is time to drive this project to a finish.
Thanks in advance for your assistance – I have attached a few images of the “Now and Then” to show you what we hope to accomplish in the coming 2019/20 restoration year.
We appreciate your kind consideration in this request. The Florida Railroad Museum (FRRM.org) is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and your funds may be tax deductible – your kindness is greatly appreciated!
Ken Creager
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