A link to this amazingly nice photo was just posted on https://www.facebook.com/groups/shipitonthefrisco/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/22267242@N02/32528227385/in/contacts/ It is high resolution.
Wow - pre-diesel house facilities. And look at all that heavyweight, Pullman Green. That is a swell photo. Best Regards,
Thank you Keith for posting that wonderful shot. I believe it's the first time I've seen these facilities. Larry
Those were the days when even the standard heavyweights were kept clean. I see that engine still has its nose coupler clamshell cover. This photo was probably taken 1959 or earlier. They started to remove the clamshells about 1959. Tom G.
I was able to download it in the usual way, but I haven't figured out how to manipulate the download (it's a big file) GS
Hi Greg: What's the "usual way"? When I right clicked on the photo that Flickr displayed, I didn't receive a "Save Image" option, just "Save Page As", and other page options.
There's enough detail in this to keep one busy for some time. For instance, the puddles of water in the drainage area between auto parking and the tracks is a often-seen but seldom-modeled detail. I poured over some of the steam-era Sanborn maps that I have, in an attempt to better orient everything. It looks like we might see the backside of a Redbird in what I think I've seen identified as the "blacksmith shop?" Seems that there should be a transfer table beyond it and then a machine shop, with the double-roundhouses further back toward the 12th Street Viaduct? Or, perhaps the roundhouses are already gone. As it is, I don't see a sign of the coaling tower. I have another map that shows transfer table and adjacent buildings, but with one turntable/no roundhouses. Frustratingly, I neither jotted down nor can find dates on the two maps. Will try to break out a more powerful magnifier. I can not find a description for the single-track open-ended shed on either map. Anyone know what it was?
There is a download button in the lower right hand corner of the page. click on that and you get a choice of sizes to download. Paul
I see two converted troop sleepers in that train, one immediately behind 2022 and one the 3rd car in the train. Paul
That photo begs for more questions about the yard. There is that other photo (b/w) of the yard by C. A. Smith in 1951, apparently right after the flood receded. It looks like it taken about 100 or so feet further to the right and it shows the coaling tower in place.
I would say that we are seeing 2022 backing the combined Firefly and Sunnyland through the wash rack. My reason is the consist of two RPO-Baggs and three passenger carrying cars (two coaches sandwiching a buffet-lounge.) Following unloading at KCUS, the engine has now backed the coaches and buffet-lounge through the wash rack onto the storage track at the right, and it is now setting the rest of the train on the second track. The first four cars belong to the Sunnyland, along with the last coach. These were split off from the train at Fort Scott to continue southeast as the Sunnyland. The second RPO-Bagg, two baggage cars and the first coach and buffet-lounge remained with 2022 as the Firefly to Tulsa. Ken McElreath
Ken, It would appear that this is about 10 AM, so one must ask what are the Firefly and the Sunnyland (connection) doing in town? To my eye the 4th car(behind the Redbirds) appears to be a full postal car, so I am inclined to believe that this is 105 undergoing preparation for the evening departure from KCUS. I believe that the cars that we see in the 19th Street coach yard belong to the KC-FS, the Oklahoman, 111/112, the overnight KC-OKC train, and "extras". The Redbird in the "house" belongs to the Oklahoman. I have to change my earlier thought, and this image post-dates the flood...circa '52-'54.
I think it is amazing how you guys can tell all of the information you have provided from just one photo !!! How do you do that? Joe
I absolutely agree with Karl's assessment of the situation. I love being shown wrong; it's how I learn! What a modeling opportunity, to use a Redbird as a coach yard switcher. Ken McElreath
Joe, it's called Frisco Forensics. Combine the image provided with a knowledge of what trains ran in a particular time window and what was their particular consist and you get an overall picture (pardon the pun) of what is happening and being seen in the scene. The great thing about this forum is that most all of the information needed to formulate the conclusions is already here for the viewing. Hard core Frisco Fans like Karl and Ken are ready to jump on a real nugget and bring it to a high polish for the rest of us to enjoy.
^ What Keith said! It's cool the way a chap gets smarter 'bout the Frisco by just hangin' out with these here jeeniuses!
