Wichita Terminal Association (WTA) Railroad

Discussion in 'Wichita Subdivision' started by MFreix, May 3, 2011.

  1. MFreix

    MFreix Member

    Does anyone know if the WTA had it's own motive power, or did they use loaners from the 4 owner roads?

    Also, can anyone provide info on how they interchanged with the SLSF or other Wichita roads? Did they simply spot cars at the interchange, or did they operate transfers directly into the owner road yards?
     
  2. mvtelegrapher

    mvtelegrapher Member

    As far as the power situation goes, each owner road loaned power to the WTA, it is still the same today. Not sure the time frame on how long each roads power was assigned. I believe that each road took its interchange traffic to the WTA and picked up anything for them but that needs confirmed. Today, the Kansas and Oklahoma (KO) Railroad, which I work for, gives our WTA traffic to either the BNSF or the UP who then forwards it to the WTA. Same thing getting the empties back.

    John Chambers
    Watco Companies
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2023
  3. renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013)

    renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013) Passed away March 8, 2013

    I believe the loaned power to the WTA was for a month at a time, then the next month, another road loaned poweer to the WTA.
     
  4. friscorr

    friscorr FRISCO.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Today, it gets power from the BN or the UP on a yearly assignment. As John pointed out, the KO typically will give traffic to the WTA at the Santa Fe Yard in North Wichita, or will yard it where the BNSF will hand it off to the WTA.
    Codeman
     
  5. The WTA was formed in 1889 as Wichita Union Stockyards & Packing House Tracks Association. It was a private operation owned by the stockyards and packing companies. The company operated its own engines.

    In 1903 the city's railroads, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF), Frisco (SLSF), Chicago Rock Island and Pacific (CRIP), Missouri Pacific (MP)), went into partnership with the industries and the company became Wichita Terminal Railway (WTR). It was managed by MoPac as a joint switching operation. Interestingly the first engine used by WTR was a Frisco unit.

    On 2/1/1910 the four city railroads bought out the interests of the stockyard's and packing concern's ownership and reformed the company as Wichita Terminal Association (WTA). One official from each of the railroads would serve on the WTA director board.

    At first plans were to acquire its own engine fleet but this never did take place. Instead each company would lend power to WTA on a scheduled rotation which length has changed over the generations. This arrangement between BNSF (former ATSF & SLSF) & Union Pacific (UP) (former CRIP & MP) continues to this day.

    Sometime in the 1950's, Frisco engines were no longer used by WTA and it is said that Santa Fe would take over when it would have been Frisco's turn. I lived directly across the street from WTA lines in the 60-70's and never ever witnessed a Frisco engine there. With exception of very few changes WTA remains the same format for the past century
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2023

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