Lenexa / Olathe Industries

Discussion in 'Kansas City Subdivision' started by yardmaster, Aug 24, 2008.

  1. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Folks:
    Looking for a few good Northern Division industries that might have been served by the Olathe Turn for my son and I to model.

    Simple names and types of industries would be welcome - I could wing it accordingly.

    Any track charts/plans of the sidings/spurs would be quite dandy.

    Photos - well, that's way above and beyond, but would go a long way toward capturing the proper look and feel in 1:87!

    Best Regards,
     
  2. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    The Merriam KS to Olathe, KS segment of the KC Sub would make a great switching layout even if all of the other aspects of this line were omitted.

    Starting during the mid-60’s and continuing through the mid-70’s, the area between 75th Street and Olathe became hotbed of light-industrial and warehouse development. The Frisco benefited from this development, and laid numerous tracks to reach its new customers.

    The industries in this area generated enough traffic to warrant a KC-Olathe turn. Eventually the Frisco kept an engine and caboose around Lenexa When the crew had completed its work for the day, they spotted the locomotive and caboose on the closest side track.

    The J. C. Penney warehouse handled box cars of furniture and appliances and the Whirlpool warehouse handled boxcars of appliances.

    The Ford warehouse, near crossover-C, handled 86 foot hi-cube boxes.

    GM also had a warehouse and received boxcars loaded with parts

    Continental Can also moved a lot of traffic in box cars.

    In general, the area received carloads of commodities by rail, and then distributed them through out KC via truck.

    For a brief period of time, The Smokey Hill RR stored some of its collection(the KCS Hospitality for one) on the Lenexa House track and on the track that served Deluxe Check. One one occasion, an unknown person released the hand brakes on the cars, and the cut of cars rolled onto 105th Street. The local paper carried pictures of the "big wreck" and I still remember one line in the news article that wanted to know why the track ended with out warning.

    In the Olathe area, please note the wye near Keeler and Dennis. This is the former KCCS, which the Frisco used to connect with the ATSF.

    If you have Google Earth Street View, you should be able to obtain photos in the area.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 25, 2008
  3. bob_wintle

    bob_wintle Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Chris:
    Google Microsoft Virtual Earth. You can zoom in and do a Birdseye view of the entire area. This aalows you to see all four sides of the buildings. I realize that this is pictures of what is there now but it should include stuff that still exists from quite awhile back.
    when the search comes up click on the one that says Live search maps. In my opinion this is a great tool for the modeler. Microsoft has done a terriffic job documenting the KC area.
    Bob Wintle
    Parsons, Ks.
     
  4. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Superb information as always, Karl and Bob. Many thanks for the quick reply - this gives lots o' possibilities to ponder!
     

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