Jr., President The Old Time Historical Assn., Inc. P. O. Box 220
Climax, North Carolina 27233
How important is documentation to the engine collector? Very,
very important!!! With the original records, or copies of the
original records, the engine becomes a part of history. It has a
pedigree that keeps it from being just another engine. With good
who used it, where and for what purpose. The more information you
have about your engine the better. In many cases the proper
documentation makes the value of an engine many times greater.
When manufacturing shop drawings are available, restoration
becomes easier because you don’t have to guess and scratch your
head as much. Easier on the old ‘noggin’ also! In the case
of a steam engine and boiler, the boiler drawing and/or the factory
inspection certificate will help make the state boiler inspector
happy. By all means, keep him happy!!! The modern boiler inspector
is well educated and experienced in modern industrial boilers, but
usually doesn’t know ‘beans’ about our old boilers and
would just as soon not learn, because he sees them as big trouble
with a capital ‘T’. Therefore, in some cases, good
documentation is the difference between approval or disapproval.
Collectors shouldn’t take any documentation lightly.
Frick steam engine owners are fortunate because they can still
get copies of the original Frick shop drawings, engine and boiler
records used in the manufacture of their respective engines. Owners
of most other make engines are not so fortunate.
Although Frick built some steam engines before 1876, evidently
records were not kept or were lost. In 1876, formal records began
with engine #251. These records were handwritten in a bound book
giving the date, engine number and a brief description, but no
boiler number. On June 21, 1889, they began recording boiler
numbers, with boiler #1715 for engine #4751. This indicates that
earlier boilers were numbered, but were not recorded.
On May 23, 1913, with engine #16451, a loose leaf specification
sheet type record was put in use for engines, listing the major
components by number, any extras, remarks, and signed by the shop
foreman. February 23, 1914, with boiler #12809 for engine #17065,
the loose leaf specification sheet type record was put in use for
boilers, listing the steel supplier, major specification and test.
These loose leaf records provide a lot of information about the
engines and boilers, such as the boiler drawing number, whether the
boiler conforms to ASME code, whether the boiler was inspected at
the factory, the state of inspection, the inspection number and the
insurance company making the inspection and their policy number.
Every Frick owner should have copies for his engine and boiler.
On August 6, 1914, boiler #13009, for engine #17269, was the
first Frick boiler inspected to the State of Ohio boiler
standard.
On August 14, 1914, boiler #13022, for engine #16299, was the
first Frick boiler inspected to Massachusetts boiler standard.
ASME code boilers began, on request, July 16, 1915, with boiler
#13520, for engine #17870. 1916 brought the regular use of ASME
code boilers by Frick, whether requested or not.
January 18, 1917, boiler #13907, for engine #18662, was the
first Frick boiler inspected to Pennsylvania boiler standard.
October 5, 1920, boiler #14774, for engine #20718, was the first
Frick boiler inspected to New York boiler standard.
November 16, 1920, boiler #14883, for engine #21699, was the
first Frick boiler inspected to New Jersey boiler standard.
January 5, 1921, boiler #14469, for engine #20475, was the first
Frick boiler inspected to Indiana boiler standard.
March 3, 1922, boiler #14972, for engine #21989, was the first
Frick boiler inspected to Delaware boiler standard.
Then May 26, 1926, with Frick boiler #16123, for engine #27196,
came National Board inspection.
The Frick steam engine and boiler records, shop drawings and
foundry patterns were acquired by the Old Time Historical
Association, Climax, North Carolina, in 1973 and are being
preserved for posterity, so that Frick engine owners may
benefit.
The Old Time Historical Association also maintains the Frick
Engine Club, so Frick engine owners may exchange information and
make their hobby more worthwhile and enjoyable.
Anyone interested in more information may write to: The Old Time
Historical Association, Inc., P.O. Box 220, Climax, North Carolina
27233.
