Hi. I am Brian Ambrose from Renton, WA and have been a fan of the Frisco since the day SD45's 923 and 927 showed up here in Seattle on the Union Pacific 2-22-77. Later a U30B came into Seattle with "Orange Crush" written in the dirt which I thought was rather fitting at the time and why it was the first thing that came to mind when signing up. Frisco cabooses also showed up from time to time on the UP. I always thought the orange and white ones were so colorful. In the late 70's BN leased a number of Frisco GP35's and I photographed quite a few of them in the Seattle area. Then came the Frisco-BN merger and former Frisco power and cabooses made their way to Seattle. But before you knew it the locomotives were painted green and the cabooses were phased out. It was fun while it lasted. Fast forward to today. It's all BNSF now but many former Frisco GP38-2's and SW1500's are pretty common power around here now. I will enjoy talking about what I saw and photographed before the BN merger, during the BN years and what there is still in service today. Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
Welcome Brian. Glad to have you aboard. It's great to have a Frisco fan from so far away. The more the merrier. Cheers, Ed ##
Thanks for the greeting Ed. I have been trying to think of times I photographed along the Frisco itself and right now the only time I can recall was at Wichita, KS in 1982 on a trip to visit a friend. The only photo I took was of BN NW2 421 outside the shops. There was no other power there, just the switcher though I remember seeing a train leaving as I was pulling up. That was frustrating looking back on it now! Later I'd like to find out how many trains there were in and out of Wichita on the ex-SLSF in 1982. I never did have the chance to do much research before going on that trip. Also wil be curious to know what BNSF runs through Wichita now. Might be fun to go back and try to get what I missed in 1982. Brian
Looking with anticipation to any photo's of "orange crush". (I love it). I can do without the "Green Hornet's" though. (Just joking.) Glad to have you here.
Brian, welcome to the fold. It's always good to know we have another person that can appreciate America's REAL railroad. Sharing your pictures of Frisco's hardware is appropriate, especially if placed in the appropriate sub-forums.
Hi Brian, I used to make the run from Neodesha, KS, to Wichita, in the early 60's.. My maps show that the original Frisco lines into Wichita were abandoned by the BN. Date unknown. These are the lines from Augusta to Wichita and from Wichita to Ellsworth. The segment of this line from Augusta to Severy, KS, is being operated by the Kansas Eastern RR. East of Severy, KS, some segments of the old Northern Division are abandoned and others are still in use. The Frisco line running north out of Wichita took you to the end of the line on the Frisco at Ellsworth. That was as "close" as the Frisco ever got to San Francisco. They had high hopes....... Hope this helps. Ed ###|-|
Your information is outdated. The line that you speak of has been completely dismantled from Fredonia to the west. It has been gone for several years. Bob Wintle Parsons, Ks.
Bob, I appreciate the update. Sorry to hear that. I have some good memories of those runs. Thanks, Ed ### |-|
