The Frisco's Willow Springs Sub was a difficult district, and it required skilled engine men to get a train over the line. Tangent track comprised approximately 74.3 miles or 54.3% of the total mileage (136.8 miles) on the Willow Springs Subdivision, the two longest tangents on the subdivision are 2.54 miles and 2.43 miles and are located near MP C221-C224, however, the average tangent length is but .31 miles long. Passenger trains were pressed to maintain the maximum passenger-train speed limit of 70 mph. Twenty percent of the subdivision had a 65 mph restriction, seven percent had a 60 mph restriction, sixty-eight percent had a 55 mph restriction, three percent had a 50 mph restriction, and two percent had a 45mph and below restriction. Before reaching the Delta Country, the builders of the Memphis Road had to conquer two drainage divides which required grades of 1.3% to 1.5%. Known as Whetstone Hill and Sterling Hill both required grades of 1.4% - 1.5% to cross the divide. The ruling grade both northward and southward was a stiff 1.5%. Whetstone Hill MP C-260.0 - C265.o Frisco Track Chart; my collection Whetstone Hill MP C265.o - C270.0 Frisco Track Chart; my collection Whetstone Hill MP C270.o - C275.0 Frisco Track Chart; my collection Sterling Hill MP C280.0 - C285.0 Frisco Track Chart; my collection Sterling Hill MP C285.0 - C290.0 Frisco Track Chart; my collection Sterling Hill MP C290.0 - C295.0 Frisco Track Chart; my collection Willow Spring Sub passenger trains and hotshot freight, 131, made decent time over a challenging district with steam. ETT 31; my collection.
They sure didn't believe in a pick & shovel when they built that line. I think Koshkonong Hill northbound was steeper than Whetstone but Kosh Hill had some places where it leveled out enough to get a run at steeper portions. I was told northbound out of Thayer if you make it to Kosh you could make it to Springfield. The line originally was not planned to go through Thayer but West Plains ponied up enough money to entice the line to be re-routed. Originally at Willow Springs it was to turn east towards Hutton Valley, (which was latter built by the Current River RR to Grandin, MO.). From there it was surveyed to turn SE through White Church, Peace Valley, Thomasville, Royal Oak, Alton & Billmore, MO. In Arkansas it was planned to go through Dalton, Elevenpoint & Birdell following the Eleven Point River to where it empties into the Black River north of Black Rock. After crossing the Black River & entering the Delta it was a straight shot to Hoxie. That's why there is a little curve just east of the MoPac xing, to line it up with the new survey via Thayer.
