Since I am also a C&EI fan I am always collecting pics and other items from that road. I have had the attached pic for some time of the C&EI depot in Marion which was still there as of last year. I pulled it out today for a quick look and noticed something for the first time since acquiring this photo 5 years ago. Does anyone else catch the odd/not so odd item in this pic from Marion Illinois?
Eureka Pythagoras! Karl found it! Just how far did Frisco equipment travel on the C&EI? I shall sacrifice a hecatomb in your honor!
The Frisco controlled the C&EI starting in 1903 until WW-1. I think they shared equipment and some trains during that period. I have a pic of a Frisco/C&EI gondola around here somewhere. Ken
Sure wish we could find an old pic of one of those ungainly Frisco 2000 class 2-8-8-2 Mallets, serving as a helper on Iron Hill climbing up to St Clair. Had to be a sight! K
The Frisco, the Rock Island and the C&EI were all linked under the control of B.F. Yoakum from the early 1900s until 1913, when he lost control of the Frisco and the C&EI in bankruptcies. I've seen several photographs which suggest that rolling stock was exchanged pretty freely between the three roads during this period. In I.E. Quastler's book on the Rock Island's carshops at Horton, KS, there is at least one photograph that shows the yard at Horton full of Frisco freight cars. Whether the Frisco cars were being sent there for repair/maintenance, or whether they were being pooled between the two railroads for revenue service, I do not know. I've also seen a photo of a freight train at Fair Play, Mo., that appears to consist mostly of C&EI and CRI&P stock cars. This was on the KCC&S, which was overtly or covertly controlled by the Frisco from 1901 until it was abandoned in 1934. I'd welcome further documentation or information on this if available.
Karl was puzzled about Huddleston's assertion the Frisco welcomed the availability of USRA heavy 2-10-2's that had been assigned to the C&EI for their grades. I am, too. Bradley A. Scott reminded us Yoakum joint control of C&EI, Frisco and Rock Island ended in 1913. USRA did not even begin until 1917. How is it that USRA locomotives assigned to C&EI got onto Frisco? I suppose USRA could have forced it for some operational situation. Records of engine assignments would show it, but it is hard to believe those would remain after more than 90 years, especially if it was for a temporary situation. Karl is right about the Frisco having lots of 2-10-2 locomotives available; Frisco Power (Collias) indicates their manufacture between 1916 and 1917. This was in the era before USRA. Curiouser and curiouser...
