In 1953, communities along the old Frisco line began asking Frisco Railroad to make old Frisco steam locomotives available as historic attractions. Dr. Clair V. Mann, secretary and historian of the Phelps County Historical Society and the former historian for Frisco, led the campaign for Rolla and the Phelps County area. On January 25, 1955, Phelps County was granted the 1501. Requests for an order board and passenger coach were also included as a package deal to be located at Schuman Park, the former site of a Frisco water tank.