Switch List Abbreviations

Discussion in 'Operations' started by Boomer John, Jan 26, 2020.

  1. Boomer John

    Boomer John Member

    Karl was kind enough to give me a heads up that Charlie Dischlinger had posted a switching puzzle based on the actual situation at Bolivar in the 1980. It is issue #27 of FMIG Newsletters.

    I had a little trouble following it, but just about have it. There is a list next of cars at spots when the train arrives. There is no indication of what is to be done with the cars, but next to each car is an abbreviation - XB, XCH or XF. I thought this was what kind of car, but maybe it is a code on what to do. Can someone help with this?

    There is also an industry on the switch list but not on the track diagram. Garrobert is getting a tank car of molasses. Does anyone know who this is?

    I have tracked down the reporting marks and number of most of the cars list. A real mix 40 foot box cars, a 50 foot exterior post boxcar, cylindrical hoppers, tank cars, a silver Frisco covered hopper.

    This would be a great town to model.

    John
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
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  2. mark

    mark Staff Member Staff Member

    John,

    The codes referenced are car status and car type.

    The status is indicated either by the "X" or commodity. "X" stands for empty. For the additional cars being respotted or picked up, the commodity is indicated - ammonium nitrate (fertilizer), logs. As a note for other uses, ammonium nitrate is also used in or with explosives.

    The car type is indicated by the following letter(s) - B = Boxcar, CH = Covered Hopper, F = Flat car.

    In this specific case based on the agent's list the crew is to handle a Hutchinson Northern 50' boxcar, 3 Frisco 40' boxcars, a North American Car Corporation leased 59' pressure differential covered hopper, a Katy 53' covered hopper, 2 Santa Fe covered hoppers (50' and 55'), a Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific 59' bulkhead flat car and 5 Frisco 50' gondolas.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
  3. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    [QUOTE="Boomer John, post: 81692, member: 1158" There is no indication of what is to be done with the cars, but next to each car is an abbreviation. XB, XCH or XF. I thought this was what kind of car, but maybe it is a code on what to do. Can someone help with this?
    There is also an industry on the switch list but not on the track diagram. GARROBERT is getting a tank car of molasses. Does anyone know who this is?
    John[/QUOTE]

    Mark beat me to the answer about the XB, XCH, and XF.

    However, GARROBERT is an abbreviation for Garland Roberts (industry). The car is to be set out on the gas company spur next to the tank cars shown on the map.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
  4. mark

    mark Staff Member Staff Member

    John,

    Below is a little additional business and supplemental cargo commodity information.

    Garland Dale Roberts was one of principals in Garland Brothers Livestock Sales, Garland Brothers Livestock Auction and Pro-Lix liquid feed dealer. The business was started with his brother in Bolivar in 1959. He died September 22, 1999. The family continues to operate the livestock business.

    Molasses is derived from refined sugarcane or sugar beets. Although in different amounts, the two types of refined molasses contain numerous vitamins (B6, B7, H), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and potassium) and other elements. It is used primarily as a sweetener, flavoring and/or binding agent. Molasses is commonly used in syrup, brown sugar, dietary supplements, rum and ethanol. In addition, it can be used in agriculture as a fertilizer or horticulture as a soil additive to promote microbial activity.

    In the case of this customer's business it would most likely be used in livestock feed.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
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  5. Boomer John

    Boomer John Member

    Mark, Keith,

    This clears it up, thanks.

    Since the locomotive was a GP 38-2 this was after the Clinton branch was cut in two, so they came out of Springfield and would go back there. The cars marked empty (the X) would then return to Springfield. The MKT car would go to the Beacon spur and ATSF 300203 would location D132, Weaubleau.

    I would never have guessed so much activity at Bolivar. It looks like about 14 years later it was abandoned (1994-1980). I wish I would have come across this earlier, this looks like a winner. Maybe I should move!

    The big decision would be pre-1974 so I could use one of those cool Athearn GP7s. If so the train would pass through. How would they do that, switch trailing spurs on the way to Clinton and trailing going back to Springfield? On the other hand, if after truncation Mandarin orange and white GP 38-2 (not as cool). Bolivar could be the end of the run (no business today north of there) requiring more interesting switching and run around.

    Mark you truly are a walking encyclopedia of anything Frisco. How do you come up with stuff like history of Garland Brothers?

    John
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
  6. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    I won't tell Mark's secrets.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023

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