This article [Paris News, April 11 1940] notes a route was first surveyed for the Chicago, Texas & Mexican Central in the early 1880s.
The mountain ranges being mentioned (Rich Mountain, Winding Stair Mountain, Poteau Mtn Range, Waldron Ridge, etc) are in my backyard. I often travel through several of them and ride dirt motorcycles in them on occasion. The described route does not sound anything like the same route as the Frisco settled upon at all to me. Headwaters of the Poteau River? That's several miles EAST of Waldron, Arkansas! Trying to route a line from Paris, TX to the near the headwaters of the Poteau River would result in line that is several dozens (or more) of miles longer than what the Frisco used AND cover topography that was far more challenging than the Frisco used. The Frisco's climb over Winding Stair Mountain was short and sweet. It was nowhere near the complexity and length of their Boston Mountain Grade over the summit at Winslow, AR in the Ozarks. True the southward ascent of Winding Stair had a very short section that was steeper than the steepest portion of the Boston Mountain Grade (not by much), but still, comparing the two, the Winding Stair climb notably less severe and for sure less in length. Consider: The northward Boston Mountain Grade begins just north of Chester, AR (MP 386.1) then stiffens at 382.7, with the toughest part from just north of Schaberg, AR (MP 381.0) to the summit at Winslow, AR MP 374.7. In all, that's about 11.4 miles of mountain grade with much of it severe. Winding Stair's steepest grade is southward. It began at Bengal, OK (Indian Territory when the rails built through) MP475.4 to Compton, OK, MP 478.9, some 3.5 miles. As you can see, the Frsico did an excellent job of routing through the Ouachita Mountains south of Fort Smith, Arkansas. FAR better than would have resulted had they followed the route outlined in this article. The article is a very interesting find and interesting read, and I most certain appreciate it being posted. For sure it definitely offers an insight into the misinformation of journalism over the centuries. I would definitely lump the above article into the "Journalistic BS" column. Still, it has been saved to my Arthur Sub folder for it is recorded "history" as it was unfolding, suppositions, inaccuracies, and poor data notwithstanding. Andre
Thanks Karl for that link. I thought I had that profile saved from years ago, but if I do, it's tucked away somewhere stupid and I haven't seen it in years. SO, I created a new "Winding Stair Profiles" folder in my "Arthur Sub" folder and now they are safely saved (and readily found) therein. Some interesting points: If I'm reading the profile correctly, then I correctly recalled that it had a very short section of 3.0% therein. (Which I did not mention in case my memory was faulty!) That compares to the 2.69% steepest portion of the Boston Mountain Grade of which I spoke. However, I think I recall the 2.69% on the northbound Boston Mountain Grade to be longer (over a 1/2 mile?) than the very short 3% section on the southbound Winding Stair Grade that's on the north side of the divide. I do recall that "Mac" MacAdams made mention that the Winding Stair climb was pretty tough, but not as tough as the Boston Mountain Grade. "Mac" ran both subs often, and toward the end of my time that I had free access to the Frisco trains, was holding down a job running the "South Man" on the Arthur Sub. He made mention several times that he wanted me to see that portion of the Frisco, but it would require either me spending the night at Hugo, or the wife having to make a long trek to meet me somewhere south of Talihina to pick me up. Of course, now I very much regret that I didn't make it happen. I've ridden one of my motorcycles on all the portions of roadbed that I could from Bengal almost to Talihina, but I couldn't see a way down to and over Rock Creek south of Lambertson. Here's a pic from February 2019 on the north side of Winding Stair divide looking north toward Bengal: Beautiful country down that way, but I do think the Ozarks are more tumbled and prettier. I sure miss the Frisco. Andre
