In my quest to learn about the history and current status of the railroads that passed through my home town of Enid, OK, I gathered quite a bit of reference material. So I am posting the highlights for each line here. Source materials and web links are available on request. Frisco - Beaumont KS-Vernon TX line [NE-SW]. Built as: Blackwell, Enid, and Southwestern Railway Build years: 1902-05 Blackwell OK to Darrow OK- (84.3 mi.) 1900-01 Darrow to Red River- (154.3 mi) 1901-03 Ownership: Acquired by the Frisco 1907 Acquired by Burlington Northern 11/21/1980 Abandonments: Davidson OK to Vernon TX (15.32 mi.) 1957 Beaumont KS to Winfield KS - unknown, likely pre-1980 Davidson to Frederick OK - unknown, likely post-1982 Enid to Winfield (71.1 mi.) 1982 notes: Last train Enid to Arkansas City 5/29/1982 Current operations: Enid to Frederick is now Grainbelt [Farmrail] (GNBC) since 1987
Hello, I just joined the group and noticed this post. I live in Enid (grew up here) and have been researching material for several years for a possible book on Enid's railroads. Lately, I've been trying to find information on the BES line in general and on Edward Lockwood Peckham in particular. I've visited the library and museum in Blackwell but they have very little information on these subjects. I have most of the general biographical information on Mr. Peckham but feel there must be much more historical data on him as he was such a fascinating and influential person. Are you aware of sources I may have overlooked pertaining to the BES line and Mr. Peckham? Thank you very much for your time. Mike Marshall
Have you googled Oklahoms State Rail Plan Update ? Before suggesting this, I did and it has a 2012 update on the www. Older year updates, if available, possibly will also give you vast amounts of information. The challenge is sorting our the part that interests you. My involvement with the OKDOT during the doling out of the former Rock Island properties sure gave me an excellent impression of their forces at that time. They were extremely courtresous, helpful and willing. I was a sales rep ( peddlar) of RR MofW equipment. Good luck. Jooe
KANSAS RAIL PLAN UPDATE 1999-2000 p 82 shows abandonments including: S.L.S.F. Ry.Beaumont to Northeast Winfield Ks Mileage 42 Abandoment year 1977 Burlington Northern Rr. N. Winfield-Arkansas City-Oklahoma mileage 20.2 Abandonment Year 1982 Joe [ QUOTE=MisterPleasant;13182]In my quest to learn about the history and current status of the railroads that passed through my home town of Enid, OK, I gathered quite a bit of reference material. So I am posting the highlights for each line here. Source materials and web links are available on request. Frisco - Beaumont KS-Vernon TX line [NE-SW]. Built as: Blackwell, Enid, and Southwestern Railway Build years: 1902-05 Blackwell OK to Darrow OK- (84.3 mi.) 1900-01 Darrow to Red River- (154.3 mi) 1901-03 Ownership: Acquired by the Frisco 1907 Acquired by Burlington Northern 11/21/1980 Abandonments: Davidson OK to Vernon TX (15.32 mi.) 1957 Beaumont KS to Winfield KS - unknown, likely pre-1980 Davidson to Frederick OK - unknown, likely post-1982 Enid to Winfield (71.1 mi.) 1982 notes: Last train Enid to Arkansas City 5/29/1982 Current operations: Enid to Frederick is now Grainbelt [Farmrail] (GNBC) since 1987[/QUOTE]
Little more info! DOWN AT THE DEPOT pp18-19 of FRISCO ALL AOARD Volume 11, Nover 3, 1998 has some interesting history focused primarily around Snyder, OK. Also the WWI Military registration card dated SEP 12,1918 for a Edward PARKHAM, DOB 18 SEP 1872,Onondago, N.Y. Spouse Margaret obtained from WWW.
Does anyone know if the Frisco or the SF switched the industries between Enid and Avard? Was Avard just an interchange point for the Frisco? Any idea on train lengths/power? According to pics I guess this line was joint SF-SLSF trackage. The one picture of a SF train on this line had six axle power but I can't find any pictures of Frisco trains on this line out of Enid. Did the Rock do much interchange at Enid? If so where or to whose yard did they do this? Thanks. Steve
