Please see the following link for a trackside view of the interlocking tower at Hallett, OK http://www.flickr.com/photos/15115247@N05/2591144433/sizes/l/ The tower is located on the Frisco's Perry Subdivision at mile post 460.9. This structure protected the former diamond crossing of the SLSF and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas (MKT) Railroad. On the MKT, the tower was located on the Katy's Oklahoma Subdivision at mile post 257.5. The line was their route from North Yard, Parsons, KS, to Oklahoma City, OK. The Katy abandoned this line in 1977. This poured concrete structure is similar in design to other Katy interlocking towers in at least North Clinton, MO (SLSF / MKT - gone), South Clinton, MO (SLSF / MKT - preserved in Clinton) and Navade, MO (MoP / MKT - gone). The tower is located just north of the Cimarron Turnpike (a/k/a US Highway 412) overpass, bridge 460.8, over the Perry Subdivision. This is just east of the Hallett and Jennings exits for Oklahoma State Highway 99, Exit 48, from the Cimarron Turnpike. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
First of all I think it is but am not sure. It would either take dynamite or a big wrecking ball to tear it down. Having said that, is it just me or how many others of you take the time to really look at pictures like this and study the surroundings such as the ballast, the ties, the brush along the right of way, and the trees and shrubs. I encourage all of you to look closely at the picture again and really study it. Start with the ballast and work up.
The satellite photo isn't very good, but it does appear to be visible on Google maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Halle...548,-96.571342&spn=0.003146,0.006121&t=h&z=18 The KATY ROW is visible in the photo as well (more so if you zoom out a little). Paul
Yep it's there all right. Use the little street view guy and you can get down to eye level with it from the turnpike.
Excellent note, Bob. And one possibly worthy of another thread or a write-up for The Meteor. One of the things I enjoy the most about Mike Condren's photos is the abundance of scenic texture and small details that surround the trains and track. Best Regards,
The tower is still there and in the town of Hallet there is an old depot made into a house. I haven't had a chance to stop and ask the owner if it was the old Frisco depot or where it came from. There was another interlocking location close to Pawnee but just a few foundations and old poles remain. Steve.|-|
Steve, The depot you referenced is the former Missouri, Kansas and Texas (MKT) depot. The Katy station was moved to a new location a half mile north of Exit 48 from the Cimarron Turnpike (a/k/a US Highway 412). It is on the west side of Oklahoma State Highway 99. It is somewhat obscured from view from the highway when traveling north by a row of trees. The address is approximately 985 5th Avenue (a/k/a Oklahoma State Highway 99). Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
