Don, Post #1, 4th and 5th images are Oklahoma City. The train is west bound on yard track #1 with the main line to the right. Post #3, Oklahoma City yard track #1, main line to the right. I am sure it is the same train as above (west bound). Images #2 & #3 are of an east bound train probably between Quanah and Snyder. Next two images are of the same east bound train at the locations posted on the depots. My favorite is the picture of the conductor looking out the rear door of the caboose (post #12, first image). Sorry, I cannot help you with the QA&P. One of the posters asks about the Quanah depot. It was in use until the middle 70’s. And yes, it was; the general office, passenger depot, freight office and locker room. The square building in the background was the freight house. As you walked in the front door you entered the waiting room. The yard clerks had an office to the back right. And the trainmaster had an office to the left. The upper floor was for the QA&P officials. I believe the basement was storage and locker room for the crews. Jerome
I agree that the tower is at Springfield. The same tower is in the background of the picture of the "switchman" and the A-B grain elevator near the Broadway Avenue crossing is just over his shoulder. Tom
Don, In reference to my post #22, '3rd and 4th images are Oklahoma City' should have read '4th and 5th images are Oklahoma City'. Sorry for the mix up. Jerome
Thanks for these great images. The passenger train is the Quanah to OKC train 404. 409 ran from OKC to Quanah. John Moore Albuquerque
I hadn't noticed this before, but in post #4, the boxcar has a placard on the tackboard that even the blindest of us can read. I'm already thinking that this might be a fun detail to model - maybe use some of the kids' small adhesive "glue dots" that can be easily removed once the car is delivered to its scale consignee. Best Regards,
Mike, I couldn't find the one of the Springfield Tower. Been a long time since I seen you guys. Hope you and Jerome are doing well. I am retired now and live in Florida. Best Wishes Bill Jackson
Truly a beautiful priceless set of photos. They show the human side of railroading that is gone forever. I am thankful I hired out on the Cotton Belt in Dallas in August 1967 after my military obligation with the US Army Transportation Corps. After I was cut off the SSW extra board in Ft. Worth in September 1968 I hired on with John Santa Fe and switched in Dallas in the old East Dallas Yard (now a DART facility). I was 21 when I hired on with the SSW and there, as with the ATSF, got to hear the "tails of the rails" from the Old Heads. These were the days before we had walkie talkies so we had to pass hand signals from the tops of boxcars when interchanging with other railroads down in the Trinity River Bottoms. That was real railroading by gosh! It has all changed today and all the great railroads are gone, their flags called in, and most of the Old Heads have joined their fellow employees in the roundhouse in the sky which is just beyond the Big Rock Candy Mountains. RIP boys, y'all did a real good job. It was a real pleasure to have gotten to work with all of you and thanks a million for the memories and a Special Thanks to you Don for sharing with us! Joe Toth The Trinity River Bottoms Boomer
I cant believe I missed this thread, Some great shots of the "Q" for sure in there, What a treasure indeed to even find the film much less still find it in good enough shape to give us these images. Thanks Don! Tom Holley
