Hello Everyone! I've been a member of this forum for several years now but kinda forgot about my account I created when I was in 6th or 7th grade but now that I've become active again I thought I might as well properly introduce myself. I'm Cade VerHage, now a high school senior in Ava, Missouri. I spent my first five years of my life in Belleview, Florida where I grew up watching CSX trains race down Baseline Road on former Seaboard trackage in front of my grandparents' gas appliance store. I was hooked on railroads ever since. Though I'm a Seaboard Airline fan at heart, my other favorite railroad is the SLSF itself, hence why I'm on this forum. Growing up, I loved watching BNSF run down it's former trackage between Mansfield and Springfield. As I became a history buff, the Frisco caught my eye. Ava itself was once served by its subsidiary line, the Kansas City, Ozarks & Southern Railway, between 1910 and 1935. My love for the Frisco has grown increasingly since I rediscovered this site. As you can tell from my username, I once had interest in becoming a V-Scaler, an idea that died once my free time faded away. However, I am really considering on bringing the idea back to life through Trainz because there is one project I'd like to create. A huge Frisco route focused on the Willow Springs, Lebanon, Ash Grove, and Springfield Subdivisions. If anyone would be interested in helping me out please contact me! Anyway, thank you guys for having me on here, I hope to become an active member of this community!
Welcome Cade. There are other V-Scale interested parties on this site that have done quite a bit of work on sections of Frisco Right of Way.
Welcome Cade. There was another Trainz enthusiast that was working on the Frisco's Clinton line, as I recall. Last name was "Ricketts"? He has several pictures of his efforts here at Frisco.org in the V scale forum. I have a large Frisco-themed V scale route, but my V scale works are compatible with Microsoft's Train Simulator and Open Rails Train Simulator. On my V scale Frisco effort (circa late 1880s) Central Division rails (called the "St. Louis Division" back then) are in place from Fort Smith, AR, to about 3o miles south of Monett. Along the way north, I include the 18 mile Black Mountain & Eastern. (The BM&E was the most rugged of any railroad in the Ozarks. It had steep [6+ %] switchbacks, tall trestles [one about 130' high sitting on the edge of 25' or so bluff. I had to include it!]), the 40 mile St. Paul Branch of the Frisco, and the 18 mile long Eureka Springs Railway from Seligman, MO to Eureka Springs, AR. From Fort Smith, the Frisco rails continue south all the way to the division point (then) town of Talihina, Indian Territory (I.T. is now Oklahoma), including the Frisco's 18 mile long, coal rich, Mansfield Branch. South and southeast of Fort Smith, I went ahead and included all the known rails that penetrated the "Coal Belt" of the region. This includes the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Southern from Van Buren, AR-Cherokee Jct, I.T.-Greenwood, AR. Also included in the Coal Belt region was the Midland Valley rails from Fort Smith to Maney Jct, then over to Excelsior, AR, and Hartford, AR. I'll never complete it, but I enjoy tinkering with it when in the mood. Currently only a small percentage of the 200-3000 miles of railroad have basic scenery. (Maybe 20%?) However, it's fun to piddle with it when I'm in the mood. Enjoy your stay! Andre
Thank you guys for the welcome back! Sounds like that'd be one heck of a route, I also run MSTS but I model with Trainz. I'd love to get my project up and going and hopefully follow through with completing it. I remember Ricketts Highline route, I was hoping to find an update on it as I'd like to run his route someday myself.
Well, I noticed I made a typo. I typed 200-3000 miles... that was SUPPOSED to be 200-300 miles. I can't remember the figure I came up with, but I think it was around 225 or so miles... but I just can't remember. No matter... like I said... it will never be completely finished, it's just a hobby route I mess with when I'm in the mood. Andre
Your mention of "the Kansas City, Ozarks & Southern Railway, between 1910 and 1935" caught my attention. My son-in-law just returned from a research trip to Ava where he is writing a book on a rural farm house that was destroyed by fire back in the 195o's. H lost some relatives in the fire and has ancestors buried in the Ritter Cemetery. Some of his friends/relatives are also assisting with his research on the KC, O & S Ry & own land where a portion of the RR existed. That book will come later. We welcome your visiting The Railroad Historical Museum, Inc. when you are in Springfield. We are open 2-4 on Saturdays but would be glad to give you a one on one tour outside these hours if you are in the area.
Small world isn't it? A friend of mine and I went for a drive searching for the former right-of-way a week or two ago around Old 5 and Mt Zion. But I've been wanting to go to the museum for a bit now. I'll check it out for sure now.
friscotrainz.2787/ Hi Cade ! "the Kansas City, Ozarks & Southern Railway, between 1910 and 1935" @ Ava, MO Elima Shay gear locomotive used at Ava, MO owner by: (12-1-1922) Ozark Southern RY Co., Ozark Southern RY #5, Ava, MO Elima Shay shop # 985, KCO&S #5 , Class B = 2 wheel trucks (8 wheel drive). fueled by 2 Cords of the available wood. Ava is on the Ozark plateau, relatively flat; .... Comparing to Sligo, MO where they used Class C = 3 wheel trucks (12 wheel drive) since those three Shays worked hopping between low valleys over the tops of very tall hills. Sligo's locomotives were Lima shop #s 1744 1929 2883 which were fueled by 5 tons of the available charcoal produced by the Sligo Furnace Company. Charcoal fueled the Sligo iron-ore smelting furnace and everything else, (consistent slow long burning within fire boxes). Every Lima Shay locomotive produced are described at website https://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/searchdataframe.htm . KCO&S #5 's photo is attached (with 3 others). Photo Credit: George R. Kadelak collection (1922) KCO&S was the locomotive's fifth and final owner. Check out Elima Shay # 985, KCO&S #5 when you go to the Railroad Historical Museum, Inc. Let me know what you find out! I study railroading, particularly in the Ozarks. Good luck ! mountaincreekar , Charles mountaincreekar@yahoo.com Oh PS: Do you know "River" ? He may like your trains hobby. His dad is Rick Clunn, Melissa (wife), Sage, "River", Brooke, Cortney (children) Ava, MO Rick is the super-star pro bass angler within Bassmasters and for Bass Pro Shops ( https://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/rick-clunn )
