Frisco COFC Loading/Unloading Points

[Rick McClellan]

I am not well read on the COFC service in the 1970s, but I am fairly sure that containers on 89 ft flats were common during this period.

Does anyone know where the COFC load/unload facilities were on the Frisco? Were they the same points as the TOFC ramps? What vehicles were used to load/unload the containers from the flats? :confused:

My curiousity has peaked since I bought two Walthers Flexi-Vans w/flats (one NIFX/MILW containers, one Seaboard car/SBD containers) over the weekend. I have already learned that the North American Leasing cars leased to the MILW under NIFX (early 1960s) reporting marks later went to MILW reporting marks and numbers by 1976 (58xxx series). I will have to change those to put this car in service correctly. I also know that these were originally intended for US Mail service but the railroads lost the mail contracts late 60s/early 70s. Since this equipment was fairly new, it appears that it was put in general service but photos are difficult to come by. Any info on the Seaboard Flexi-Van or Flexi-Vans in general would be a great help.

[meteor910]

Rick -

Seems to me for some time Lindenwood has had COFC loading capability as well as TOFC. I don't know exactly what they had as I never paid attention to it - I was always ga-ga-ing locomotives on the other side of the yard when I visited.

Lindenwood has been transformed into a major intermodal facility now.

Ken

[pbender]

Hi Rick,

The flexivans were different than than other COFC cars. They have a turntable built into them, and the containers are rotated off the cars and placed on their wheels. This didn't require any special equipment, just an area where the turntable could rotate and a tractor could back onto the container's king pin and pull it onto a set of wheels. There was an article in Model Railroader a number of years ago that discussed the process and included drawings of the flatcars. I have that somewhere, and could at least get you the issue it is in.

I've seen lists indicating that the Frisco owned some flexivan trailers, but never any of the flatcars. I've never seen any photos of these.

I've never seen a list showing anything but TOFC facilities on the Frisco. I know the ramp at Springfield did not have provisions for anything but circus style loading until it was moved from the North Yard to the location of the former North Yard shops (which I believe happened in the BN era).

Paul

[Rick McClellan]

Paul,

I have seen others refer to a Feb 1992 Model Railroader article on Flexi-Vans and it is also referred to at this Flexi-Van website

http://members.surfbest.net/intermodal@surfbest.net/FLEXIVAN.HTM

Could be that any Flexi-Vans bound for Springfield were loaded onto their trailers at North Yard. There was room on the TOFC tracks for tractors and there was the reefer track on the south side of the yard. It would still be interesting to learn how the Friso dealt with the non-Flexi-Van containers.

Thanks for your insight Paul and if you happen across the Feb 1992 MR please let me know, I would like a copy of the article and would gladly reimburse you for copying, mailing, etc.

[FriscoFriend]

I believe that when I lived there in '78 there were strings of big TG&Y trailers on 89' flats although it may have been in the mid 80's when I traveled ther with P&G but I'm almost sure it was in the '70. They were very noticeable being white or sliver trailers with big red letters. I might be wrong, but I think the other end of their journey may have been in OKC because that was their headquarters. Attached is a picture of the store in I believe Lawrence, KS which clearly shows the logo that was on the side of the trailers.

[FriscoFriend]

After doing more thinking (for me that can be dangerous) I believe I also remember seeing a lot of JB Hunt trailers on flat cars, but don't remember the year.

[meteor910]

Thanks for your insight Paul and if you happen across the Feb 1992 MR please let me know, I would like a copy of the article and would gladly reimburse you for copying, mailing, etc.

Rick - I have the Feb 1992 issue of MR if Paul has trouble finding his.

Ken

[bob_wintle]

I have already found mine and have copied it. I will be emailing it to Rick this evening.
Bob Wintle