Can anyone give me information about iron ore movements on the Frisco? Origination, destination, equipment and route. Thanks Mark H
I am only aware of one corridor of the Frisco system where iron ore traffic moved regularly, that being Mobile to Birmingham. Imported iron ore from South America was moved to Birmingham mills. I have not found any info on volumes, years moved, or if there was enough volumes for unit trains.
I'm not sure if this counts for much, but from about 1890 to 1930, they moved a lot of iron over the Salem Branch from spin-offs like the Cherry Valley Branch, Decamp/Winkler Branch, Sligo Branch, and the line that ran south of Salem to the Riverside Mines. These were comparatively small operations, but collectively, I'm sure they accounted for a lot of traffic. The only photos that I have ever seen were ones of wooden gondolas in big "FRISCO" lettering being loaded at Cherry Valley. Pat Moreland, Union MO
Thanks so much! Was just curious about where the mills in Birmingham got the ore from that they used. Mark H