In the time frame 1960-63, what coal traffic existed on the Frisco? From the mines where to the power plants where?) Was it all steam coal? Were unit trains in operation? Any foreign road coal? Any details would be helpful. Glenn Fisher
Mansfield Branch, later called Central Branch, was still producing coal in the early 60s, though rail service had been cut back by that time to Huntington, AR. Andre
There was coal in Southeast Kansas between Pittsburg and Ft Scott, and southeast from Ft Scott into Missouri.
To expand upon this, the Parsons Sub, Afton sub and Ash Grove sub all still served several mines around Pittsburg, and a few over into Missouri. Look at this Northern Division Time Table from 1961. See the bottom of page 14, it lists several mines on the subs I mentioned. http://frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/northern-division-ett-42b-april-2-1961.9956/
Thanks to all who have responded! Any ideas as to where most of the coal was going? Any power plants? Coke Mills? Unit trains or were these too early in 1962? Glenn
I think most of the coal stayed pretty close to where it was mined. Back then we didn't have the large coal fired power plants that we do now. There were several smaller plants scattered around. I don't know of any unit trains, at least what we think of as modern unit trains, until the late 70s. 1960s was a low time for mining around Pittsburg. I would think shipments would have been made to smaller power plants that were scattered around in the region. Central Mill down by Pitcher might have still been using at that point, I would have to look into that. Production actually rebounded a little bit in the late 70s when more coal fired power plants had been built. From what I have read, Clemmons 22 and 26 mines near Pittsburg fed the power plant at Asbury, MO, as well as a plant down in Riverton, KS, as well as some being shipped up to KCP&L. Its also possible that some was sent to the power plant down by Springfield MO for a short while, but I don't have any confirmation on that one.
I think a lot of the coal around Winfield, Alabama went to Birmingham used to heat furnaces to pore iron to make large diameter slip fit sewer and culvert piping. Now they use cheaper natural gas. Many of those coal fields have been covered over now growing pine trees. Hurt the railroads.
In know that some of the coal from the Garland, KS area went directly to Springfield, MO. It went down the Ozark Branch to the Springfield City Utilities (SCU) power plant at Lake Springfield on the James River.
