How to Build Frisco's PB Tower in June Model Railroad Hobbyist!

Hey Y'all,

Just passing it along. In the June issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist, they will be having an article on how to build the Frisco's PB Tower. I don't know where that is, but I'm sure it can help someone here on the board.

Model Railroad Hobbyist is an online publication that is free. You just need to sign up. Puts all the magazines to shame, IMHO. You can check them out at:

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com

Awesome publication. Check it out!

Manny

 

I would have to agree that MRH is better than most print magazines these days. I am going to let all my subscriptions, except NG&SLG, expire.

 

The PB tower was located in Paola, KS at the MP, MKT, SLSF crossing.

 

MRH releases every month on the first Monday. Look for it, June 4th. Richard, thanks for answering that question. I was trying to find PB but could find no information.

 

I just looked at the satellite imagery of Paola, KS, and the railroad crossing at grade. It appears that PB may still be standing, although I know nothing of its current status.

 

PB tower is long gone, torn down around 1960, I had the pleasure of talking to the last Frisco operator in the tower when he was retired and still living in Paola, KS. My Dad told me Paola, KS had a roundhouse, coaling tower, and water tank in the steam days. Sure wish I had been born eariler, when steam died in 1956 I was only 10 years old.

 

Richard,

You sly dog, you! That article is about YOU! Congrats man! It's beautiful. Excellent job. Great pictures and explanation. Nice to be able to put a face to the voice!

 

I've done a little photography and railfanning at this spot. Was the old tower located right at the current crossing of the BNSF and UP?

 

yes, see the attachment for its approimate location

 

Here is a 1957 USGS topo sheet. Much has changed.

 

I do not think the above USGS map is correct. I visted Paola, KS many times, and there is no MKT line going into town that I ever saw. The MKT had trackage rights on the Frisco from their Glen Park Yards next to Rosedale Frisco Outbound yards in KC, KS. The MKT track came off of the Frisco and went behind the Frisco Paola, KS Depot, then crossed Bull Creek on its own bridge, then crossed the MP line heading Southeast. There was no interchange track just a MKT/MP crossing. If the MKT wanted to leave cars for the MP then they would of used the Frisco/MP interchange track. The MP came down the hill and crossed the Frisco Tracks on a curve(Frisco) then crossed Bull Creek on their own bridge, going to the MKT/MP crossing and heading south west. This was all in front of the PB interlocking tower. After the Frisco/MP crossing up against the hill was the MP/Frisco interchange track. The Frisco double main line then went to one track and crossed Bull Creek on their own Bridge leaving town going going south but mainly East.

 

MRH magazine has asked me to write a follow up article on how I build doors and windows for my Frisco structures. I do not know when it will be published but I think pretty soon.

 

Richard, I don't remember any railroad there either, but I wasn't driving until 1956 and not a railfan at that time . But that could be where the MKT came from that went East to/thru Louisburg, KS. Because it does seem like there were tracks near the old sale barn about a mile east of where it shows the tracks crossing 169 highway. (Now where Baptiste Dr. and Hospital Dr. junction.) When younger going down that way, I was always more interested on seeing if there was any MOP trains on the overpass.
E.L.West Spring Hill, KS

 

The MKT line into town was the MKT Branch that ran from Paola to Bryson, MO via Freeman, Harrisonville, East Lynne, Postoak, and Leeton. The branch crossed the Frisco via a crossing and a puzzle switch. I believe that the branch was retired circa 1958, although a stub into Paola lasted until the 70's.

The "interchange" at the MKT- MP crossing was the route taken by the MP's Colorado Eagle and Scenic Limited, which had trackage rights over the Frisco.

Last Febrauary, I started working up some schematics for several folks, and I completed a composite look at Paola, circa, 1903's. My intent to work up ones for the 40's and 60's has been delayed to mergers and acquisitions at work.

 

You da man boss! It is nice to put a face behind the man who does so much to keep the Frisco alive. I enjoyed the article. Now I hope to return the favor soon on an article about the hoist to the Meteor.

 

Great artical, great magazine! Indeed, it puts a lot of magazines to shame. One publisher has become so greedy you can only get new product reviews by subscribing. Same goes for their prototype magazine as well! All the other major publishers post a lot of product reviews and railroad news on their sites for free. Carstens' RMC and Railfan & Railroad have kept their "Mom & Pop" values alive. For example, RMC still values scratchbuilding too, whereas the "other" bigtime publisher pushes ready to run imported not so economical models.

Respect to Carstens and Model Railroad Hobbyist and also to Bob Brown for his excellent NG&SL Gazette. Quality and "home town" friendlyness is alive and well with these three publishers! Thank you all! Are there others?

Joe Toth

 

Perhaps greed was an improper choice of words. Sorry! It is ironic though that product reviews can be read on other publishers web sites without having to subscribe. I failed to mention Model Railroad News. This excellent publication is a comsumer reports magazine for model railroaders and is well worth the monetary investment. I have yet to read any misleading review of any product in their pages. Indeed, no one should expect other model railroaders to spend their time posting reviews or writing articals for free. We all have outgoing expenses with no one helping us make ends meet either.

I too feel the pinch since retiring and having to cut back on the amount I can devote to the hobby. I do prefer to pay up front for a review to insure that a product will meet my expectations before making a purchase and then finding out it falls short of same. It does save one the added expense of having to return an inferior product. However, the publisher in question should reconsider returning to their roots and follow the guidelines that the founder set up to insure that their readers continue to support the magazine.

Most of the publishers are taking their publications on-line and passing on the savings to their readers. I find this very positive and will even pay for Model Railroad Hobbyist should the need arise. They are taking the model railroad magazine in a completely new direction and I hope that all of the other publishers follow their example. Including more Frisco content will certainly insure additional readership and continued support from Frisco.org members of course.

Joe Toth