Caboose SLSF 1156 In this image the caboose was on display at the former Frisco Museum, 543 East Commercial Street, Springfield, MO. The caboose has since been sold and moved adjacent to the Branson Landing Center, Branson, MO. Photograph dated 3/29/1996.
Hello Fellow Frisco Folks, I was in Branson today down by the Branson Scenic Railroad depot. Which for those of you that do not know, is a former White River Railway station built in 1905. It was later part of the Missouri Pacific (MP), and now belongs to Union Pacific (UP). Currently it is leased to the Missouri and Northern Arkansas (M&NA) Railroad. At any rate they have Frisco caboose SLSF 1156 on their right of way. I posted 3 pictures taken today. In the background of the last picture, you can see all of the development of the new Branson Landing project. Take care, Rich Ship it on the Frisco!
During this time caboose SLSF 1156 was used on the Olathe turn, which serviced the industries between Rosedale, KS and Olathe, KS. It spent most of its time working between Lenexa, KS and Olathe, KS. Photograph was taken just south of old crossover "C" in Lenexa, KS. The train is traveling Northbound on the west main. Photograph dated 5/9/1974.
Frisco caboose SLSF 1156 is located in downtown Branson, MO. The cabooses has what looks like a baggage car door on the side. Next to the caboose is a maintenance of way (MOW) motorcar speeder.
When the Olathe Turn had run out of time, its crew would salt the train away in which ever of the many side tracks that was the closest. In this case, the train had been placed out of the way for the weekend on the 1200 track, which was the lead to J. C. Penney, Whirlpool, American Can, et al. The track left the mainline just north the 111th Street overpass. In light of recent discussion, the open baggage door shows the interior to be painted a light gray. At this time most local cabooses carried a single, square, red reflector in lieu of marker lamps. The caboose SLSF 1156 carried a "slow-moving vehicle" reflector, which would be found more often on farm implements than cabooses. Photograph dated July 1974.
I was in Branson, MO recently and could not find the caboose at the depot. So we went down the line and noticed the caboose SLSF 1156 has been moved about 1 mile north of the depot along with the Frisco speeders beside it. I noticed that a window was broken on the door on the left side of the car. They were moved because of the building of the new Branson Hilton. The car is visible from East Main Street.
Update on the caboose SLSF 1156. I just returned from Branson, MO. My mother won free tickets to White Water amusement park so we swam and then went downtown shopping. The caboose is a block north of the depot on a spur track. It appears that the car is being used for storage. I could not get a picture from the main road so I went up to the next stoplight to turn when I noticed another caboose sitting off the line next to a grey rock building. I made the turn and saw it was an old Missouri Pacific (MP) caboose there the road number was MP 13502. It had an American flag painted on the car too. On the grey rock building was a sign that read Table Rock Asphalt. Behind the building was a collection of locomotive wheels. I went further back to see a diner car painted silver with Branson Scenic Railway painted on it. It was having a truck rebuilt and was on an odd looking jack. All windows were broken on the car. Only a couple hundred feet away was the caboose SLSF 1156. It looked real good compared to the other two cars. No broken windows that I could see. It was sitting next to a pair of wigwag signals that look new. I hope this car gets some sort of good use in the future. I also found another Frisco car just south of Branson. It was being used as a residence and had tons of railroad stuff around it. The owner even had a motor car in their front garden. The car had no number visible, but it did have a coonskin on the sides and on the ends on each side of the door. It appeared to be a 1100 series car as it matched most the wood cars in this series. Hope someone would know something else on this car. Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
Please see the following links to photographs of Frisco caboose SLSF 1156. http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/log/050bf75c-5688-49f5-bb1b-fb6412a423d5.jpg (6/4/2010) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1523658 (3/12/2009) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1523643 (3/12/2009) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1523644 (3/12/2009) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1637395 (3/12/2009) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1523660 (3/12/2009) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1523659 (3/12/2009) http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/06f3be36-8d69-4008-bb62-f0566552a748.jpg (5/22/2008) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=951780 (11/9/2007) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=751361 (5/12/2007) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=294892 (12/20/2005) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1940766 (12/15/2004) http://www.flickr.com/photos/spierson82/21357408/sizes/l/in/set-499436/ (2004) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=68176 (5/10/2003) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=74934 This is one of the Frisco built, all steel former Howe truss boxcar conversions for local service. These cars featured a center cupola, with a sliding side door and 13' baggage compartment. It was constructed during late 1953 and early 1954 in their shops in Springfield, MO. The 3 cars of the class were used on branch lines and provided express service to local communities. Photographic evidence indicates these cars spent a considerable amount of their service on branch lines, particularly those radiating out of Enid, OK. When it was retired by the railroad, it was donated to a YMCA Camp near Halltown, MO. It was later acquired by and moved to the former Frisco Museum (closed) at 534 E. Commercial St, Springfield, MO. The museum had acquired the car for display to permit handicapped access due to its wider baggage compartment door. When the museum closed, the car was again sold and moved south. This car is currently located in south central Missouri. Located near the intersection of E. Main St. and Branson Landing Blvd. This is on the east side of town, north of the Branson Scenic Railroad depot (former Missouri Pacific (MP) Railroad) parking area and west of the Branson Landing Mall. The location address is north of 448 E. Main St., Branson, MO. Please see http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...oid=Udjbj4z_pgoEcCzwgF7Olg&cbp=12,265.82,,0,5. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
