The Frisco’s Ash Gove Subdivision was a favorite. It was a bit of a throw back, since it retained its 19-teens era APBS semaphores, timetable/train order operation, and the affectations of such operations, i.e., extras, following sections, take-siding indicators, etc. Per the Eastern Division ETT #2, 9/9/73, four daily southbound freights, four daily northbound freights, a tri-weekly southbound local, and a northbound tri-weekly local plied the subdivision between Edwards and Nichols. The APBS-semaphores and the 7 open-agencies were more than adequate to handle the traffic. When thinking of extra movements and trains running in multiple sections, we Frisco fans are drawn back to the war years and a single-track mainline plugged with trains running between St Louis and Springfield. This is exemplified by a train order found on page 173 of Collias’s Frisco Power. We might be inclined to think that by the 70’s, the era of extras, and multiple-section trains was a thing of the past, but on the Ash Grove Subdivision, it was not the case. During the early 70’s, lead units bearing white and green flags were not that uncommon. This set of orders delivered to 2nd KCX is evidence that the Frisco was still “runn’n’ ‘em like streetcars” during the early 70’s. Form CT-94 Indicates that the operator at Lockwood had orders 17, 16, and F10 for train Second KCX (Kansas City Express). Train order 17 is a Form E Time Order, which was addressed to trains Second KCX, NWF, and local 5810. First 135 was running about 30 minutes to the bad, and the DS set-up the wait order so the inferior trains would know where 135 and her following sections would be. Train order 16 is a Form K order which annulled number 61 between Edwards and Nichols. Train 61 delivered freight from KC to Ft Scott and Springfield for points in SW MO and NW Arkansas. Train order F10 is a Form Y order, which was used to protect track work between Dix and Golden City.
If anyone is interested in obtaining Frisco Train orders, contact my friend, Richard D. Baker at toman718@cox.net. He has one of biggest train order collections in the country. He will be able to give you train orders from many different Frisco locations all over the system, and they are very reasonably priced.
Karl, The Clearance Form and train orders are swell. Putting the information into context with the extra details is even better. Thanks for sharing. This is good fodder for the modeler who is conflicted by wanting to model the 70s but also wanting to realistically run with TT&TO operations. Best Regards,
