Tulsa group needs more time to save a train steam engine

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A committee that's working to keep a 1940s-era locomotive off the auction block plans to ask city officials for more time to work on their plan. <br><br>The Save the Old Frisco

Tuesday, February 4th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A committee that's working to keep a 1940s-era locomotive off the auction block plans to ask city officials for more time to work on their plan.

The Save the Old Frisco Engine for Tulsa Committee will present its initial plan Tuesday to the Park and Recreation Board, which has jurisdiction over the locomotive.

City officials announced late in 2002 that they planned to sell the Frisco No. 4500. The steam engine has been parked in a Southern Kansas and Oklahoma railroad yard in Owasso since 1991.

Committee Chairman David Yowell said plans to restore the train and place it on exhibit, perhaps on the west bank of the Arkansas River, are moving forward.

He said the group has received a commitment from one railroad to move the train to west Tulsa at no cost to the city or others.

The proposal to place the restored engine on River Parks property has the backing of River Parks Executive Director Jackie Bubenik.

``It's part of Tulsa's heritage,'' Bubenik said.