Hi...I'm Jim from St Louis. I grew up in Springfield and went to Central High and Drury College. In my early high school days, I often walked from school, down Boonville to the Square. My friends and I would grab a bite at the counter of Woolworths (?NewBerry's), then wander up South Street to the hobby shop where we were occasionally allowed upstairs to watch the HO slot cars in action. From there I caught bus #6 home to West Walnut street. I probably walked down Boonville near the Jordan creek and the tracks many times, but never noticed the trains. Years later I got interested in HO trains and built a 4x8 layout from Atlas sectional track. It had no theme, and was just a bunch of unrelated equipment, but I got hooked. Over the past couple years I have been looking for a theme, then one day stumbled across the beautiful builders photo of E8 2015 "Twenty Grand" against the blue sky and white snow. I fell in Love!! Now, that picture is the wallpaper on every device I can get it on, and if I could paint it on the back of my eyelids I would probably dream about it at night! If I can negotiate with my wife for a little space in the basement I plan on modeling the Springfield Depot around 1950 (the year I was born). Greeings all... Later...Actually I think that is Wilson not Jordan Creek, but my memory doesn't serve me well. ?Anyone know?
Which Depot are you trying to build? The Victorian style and or the SW adobe style station? There are a lot of photos on the website and track diagrams. If you need help with any of this, Please ask Take care, Paul
Will, I have been hoping to model the Adobe style Frisco station for sometime. Springfield was my home, but unfortunately, I lived right through the late golden age without any interest or desire for anything railroad. I did get as far as building a 1st floor mock-up of the station with standard walthers styrene wall pieces, to get a rough idea of size, footprint, etc. Unfortunately, my wife has currently (?temporarily?) reclaimed the basement area which I intend to use for my layout (intense negotiations are ongoing). To pass the time, I am currently working on various boxcar models. When I get to my home computer, I will post one of my CAD (3RDPLANIT) layouts for Springfield which I was planning. I will also post a photo of the mock-up, if those things will be of any help. Regards, Jim
Jim, The creek that ran alongside the Springfield depot and under the freight house was the Jordan creek. Wilson's creek is out south and west of town. I grew up in Springfield and went to Drury (BA '79) as well. I believe that Newberrys, Woolworth and Kresges all had counters. I remember the candy and toy aisles the best. I have ridden those Springfield buses all over town as a kid alone but not sure I would let a kid ride them alone now. Welcome to the group. Good to meet another Drury grad. Rick McClellan
Rick, I forgot about Kresges. I Graduated from CHS '68, but it took me 8 yrs (and a stint with Uncle Sam) before graduating from Drury (BA '76). We probably crossed paths, though. Will, Here is the footprint mock-up. It was done by eyeballing grainy pictures, and the proportions are off in places. Also, the attached freight building was longer. The layout drawing was done 2 yrs ago on "RailModeller", a MAC based railcad program. It too was done from some memory and a lot of imagination, but good luck on the depot, though. I think the last SGF Frisco depot was one of the prettiest of the whole system. Regards, Jim
Wow you are probably in my S'wester yearbook from Drury. I was there from 1975-79 mostly in the Breech School of Business on the south end of God's 40 acres. We probably walked right by each other . . . . Rick
I tried to avoid Breech as much as possible. I think I took 1 intro Econ class and that was enough. I spent my time at "Lay" majoring in Bio and Chem. Also, a little time in the practice halls behind the Union (which I think are gone) with the Jazz band my last year. Jim