I found this information from an ICC Railroad Accident Report for a 1938 train-truck accident in Columbus, KS. This might be useful for the "rivet counters" when laying out trackside details on our respective layouts. "A standard cross-buck sign, with the words "RAILROAD CROSSING" on the sign, and the words "SAFETY FIRST" vertically on the post, is located in the northeast corner of Card Crossing 23 feet from the center of the track and 19 feet east of the center of Edgeman Road; the top of the post is 11 feet 2 inches above the top of the rails. The entire sign had been recently repainted... "The private property sign, 4 feet wide and 1 foot 5 inches high, the bottom of which is 7 feet 5 1/2 inches above the ground, is located 149 feet west of the crossing and 21 feet south of the track. The telephone-telegraph pole line is located 25 feet south of the track center." Thanks, CLA
Anybody know when the 2nd main line from Valley Park to Times Beach, MO was taken up? Late 1060s maybe?
I grew up in Arbyrd, Mo., and vaguely remember the old Frisco depot before it was demolished or moved when Frisco went to a joint operation with the SSW. During the years of 1965, '66, '67, and '68 I worked for the Frisco as a relief agent / operator during summer breaks from college. I hold the distinction of being the last hire requiring a wire test as a condition of employment. The railroad was rapidly transitioning to teletype and phone. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to C. R. Carmody, who trained me in his spare time in Senath, MO, W. D. Brown, agent in Kennett, who spent many patient hours with me on the wire when I knew he had better things to do, the wire maintenance man who repaired the telegraph wires from Kennett to Senath, and many of the helpful people I had the pleasure of working with and relieving while I worked the extra board. "Tiny" Crites and C. J. Eifert, of Chaffee, E. Z. Basket, agent at Pocahontas, agent Sandbothe (?) of Manila, O. L. Dement, who worked the third trick at Hayti for a long spell, Joe Cashion, ? Stroud, trainmaster R. L. Buchanan, and all the other agents I relieved during those long, hot summers. In addition to working the extra board, I held the regular job at joiner for one nine-month stretch. This was a 12:30 - 9:30 a.m. job, and I was able to work that job and continue with school until time to work vacations the next summer. I was, also, the last agent to hold the Lake City job. I am trying to gather photos of all the stations I worked during my employment on the Frisco. They include: Senath, MO, Campbell, MO (joint with SSW), Ste. Genevieve, MO, Portageville, MO, Chaffee, MO, Walnut Ridge, AR, Pocahontas, AR, Lake City, AR, Joiner, AR, and Manila, AR. If you have old photos of any of these old stations, including Arbyrd, MO please contact me. e-mail: arbyrdgrad@hotmail.com Snail mail: V.C. Wheeler, 2933 C.R. 745, Jonesboro, AR 72401
Mr. Wheeler I am working on my Missouri Railroad depot web site at the following. www.fidnet.com/~hijack It has the 175 depot photos that I photographed 20 years ago. Plus, since I've finished putting mine up, I've received over 30 that I've posted. There are many more to come. I know I have several that you are looking for. I do have the rail line listed for all depots I have that information on. Sorry, I do not have a way yet, to search for a certain line. Down the road I hope to have that capability. Every time I add more, I post a message in several of the railroading news groups. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the depots. Jack Forbes
Hi Folks, I am trying to locate a picture of the freight house that was in Van Buren, AR. I am also looking for information as to when the current depot was built and any pictures of the old depot. I am planning on modeling the area around the depot and Main Street as it was in the late 1920s. Anyone having any information in that area, I could sure use the help. I am in Iowa and it makes for a long commute. But my Dad was from Van Buren and I spent a number of my school years in Mountainburg. Thanks, George Walls
