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Tower Grove, MP 3.3, Missouri Pacific Interlocking, MP 3.4, Rolla Subdivision - St. Louis, MO

Discussion in 'Interlocking Towers & Facilities' started by klrwhizkid, Feb 13, 2011.

  1. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    klrwhizkid, Feb 13, 2011
    #1
  2. pensive

    pensive Member Frisco.org Supporter

    UP dismantled the Oak Hill Branch a few years ago, so this interlock no longer exists.

    Both the Frisco and Missouri Pacific stations nearby were razed long ago when the bridge over the tracks was rebuilt.

    Three streets intersect on top of the bridge.

    Rich
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    pensive, Feb 14, 2011
    #2
  3. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Keith, neat link!

    My jaw nearly dropped at the sight of a heavyweight "Texas Special" observation car with what appears to be shadowline "fluting."

    Does anyone know if this was an MKT or Frisco car?

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    yardmaster, Feb 17, 2011
    #3
  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The Texas Special car picture is one of the many great photos from the late Jim Ozment.

    I believe it is a MKT car.

    Tom Galbreath would know for sure.

    Ken
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    meteor910, Feb 17, 2011
    #4
  5. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It is a MKT car named Edwin W. Moore (car #496).

    It ran in the third Texas Special consist because there were only two lightweight observation cars, Katy's #1400, Stephen F. Austin, and Frisco's #1350, Joseph Pulitzer. Rather than order a third car the Edwin W. Moore was rebuilt from the 1937-built William B. Travis, which is generally thought to be the last heavyweight lounge car constructed in the U.S.

    It was painted in red and silver with shadowline "fluting" to match the rest of the train. This car and the two lightweight observation cars were withdrawn from service at the end of 1958 when the Texas Special was gradually being downgraded.

    As the photo indicates, despite the attempt on the part of the Katy to dress the car up, it really didn't match very well.

    Greg Stout
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    gstout, Feb 17, 2011
    #5
  6. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Ken and Greg, thanks for the clarification and the history.

    I suspected that it had been a Frisco car, I would have surely seen or heard of it at some point in the past.

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    yardmaster, Feb 17, 2011
    #6
  7. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Greg is correct.

    It really didn't match up with the rest of the Texas Special train set very well, but I'll bet it provided a fun ride down the Frisco to meet Katy rails at Vinita!

    Sure wish we could find a picture of the Edwin W. Moore sitting at Newburg during the Texas Special's stop there.

    Ken
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    meteor910, Feb 17, 2011
    #7
  8. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    The more I look at the photos of this interlocking plant, the more I think of how this would be a perfect Layout Design Element for modeling a visible junction but making tracks disappear without using an inappropriately-placed tunnel portal.

    The urban buildings, the low earth cut and the street overhead; they all remind me of a Model Railroad Planning cover story, maybe 1997, on how to make tracks that head "over there" disappear from modeled scenes more gracefully.

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    yardmaster, Feb 22, 2011
    #8
  9. CHKmoundcity

    CHKmoundcity Member

    Has anyone come across a plan for Tower Grove tower?

    Tom P
    Gainesville VA
     
    CHKmoundcity, Nov 5, 2016
    #9
  10. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Tom,

    I'm not familiar with one around here.

    Wonder if the TRRA Historical and Technical Society would, by chance, have drawings or information?

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    yardmaster, Nov 6, 2016
    #10
  11. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I don't recall if Tower Grove was included, but there was an excellent TRRA H&TS annual bulletin several years ago covering all the St Louis area towers, both past and present.

    I think it was the issue right before the Texas Special issue, if I recall correctly.

    I have all of them here, but they are buried in a box so I can't yet look it up for you.

    K
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    meteor910, Nov 6, 2016
    #11
  12. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The TRRA publication (Summer 2008) has a schematic for the interlocking, but not for the tower building itself.

    GS
     
    gstout, Nov 6, 2016
    #12
  13. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    From Richard Crabtree on Frisco Rails Across Missouri:
    Here we see Frisco No. 2002 EMD EA7 "Commanche" (Built in March 1947) at Tower Grove Diamond at Tower Grove Missouri on June 23rd 1957. The Frisco Main is crossing over the MoPac.

    SLSF 2002 at Tower Grove.jpg
     
    klrwhizkid, Oct 29, 2020
    #13
  14. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    I have a attached a portion from the 1940, Jefferson Barracks 7-1/2 minute USGS topo map.

    Screen Shot 2020-10-30 at 6.48.22 AM.png
     
    Karl, Oct 30, 2020
    #14
    klrwhizkid likes this.
  15. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Just to make sure my bearings are correct.

    The old Chouteau Yard was just east of Tower Grove?

    I think maybe the west end tracks are on the right of Karl's map.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    yardmaster, Nov 6, 2020
    #15
  16. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    That is correct.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2024
    Karl, Nov 6, 2020
    #16
    yardmaster likes this.

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