Here are snapshot pictures of a couple of the Lindenwood Yard NW2's - SLSF 260 and SLSF 264. They were working the west end of the yard in late summer, 1978 here in St Louis. These pictures were taken from our perch at the top end of the Lindenwood pedestrian bridge over I-44. As long as son Kurt and I stayed up on the bridge, the folks in the yard office, which was at the bottom of the bridge steps, let us alone. Off to the left ahead of the NW2s, the railroad crossed the River Des Peres, then on to Southeastern Junction, where the Eastern Division kept on going straight southwest to Springfield, while the River Division veered off to the south under I-44 and on to Memphis. Note SLS 260 and SLSF 264 are NW2s phase V. The transition between the hood and the cab is smooth as in the later SW7s and SW9s. Earlier NW2 phases had a two-step transition, angle down, then flat to the cab. The NW2 phase V units did retain the curved top windshields, however. Later SW7s and SW9s had flat windshield tops. Frisco's NW2s had no multiple unit (MU) connections, so they always operated alone. Frisco time! I miss it. Ken
Ken and others, It is a bit off topic, but in the photograph of SLSF 260, what is the yellow pole alongside the track that looks to be some sort of signal indicator?
That is exactly what it is. We had them in Tulsa also in the pre hand held radio days. The switchmen could communicate with the yardmaster on the squawk boxes. I remember seeing one still standing in Tulsa before I retired earlier this year. Terry
Thanks, gents, for the clarification. Looks like an interesting lineside detail to model if one's era is appropriate. Best Regards,
