Tulsa Tower, MP 423.0 - ATSF, MKT, MV (TP, MP) Crossing - Tulsa, OK - Cherokee Subdivision

Discussion in 'Interlocking Towers & Facilities' started by HWB, Apr 27, 2009.

  1. HWB

    HWB FRISCO.org Supporter

    I recall seeing a map of the Tulsa interlocker at Urban somewhere.

    Was it here?

    Does anyone know where something like that might be hiding?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  2. HWB

    HWB FRISCO.org Supporter

    I posted this on the Tulsa yahoo group.

    Does it sound correct?

    Ok this is what I have pieced together from all the information. And thanks to everyone who replied. I would be in the dark about ATSF operations in Tulsa if not for the wealth of information provided by everyone.

    Train No. 211, "The Tulsan", was scheduled to leave Kansas City at 5:00 p.m. daily for Tulsa. The scheduled arrival time in Tulsa was 10:00 p.m.

    Before the train arrived in Tulsa it would enter the wye just after crossing East Pine Street. It would continue until it hit the tail switch at North Rockford Avenue. It would then travel to the end of track which paralleled East Latimer Street and probably stopped right before North Utica Avenue before beginning the reverse move into the depot.

    The reverse move crossed North Peoria Avenue and then began to swing south until crossing the other tail switch right before North Lansing Avenue. The train continued its reverse move onto the mainline and headed to the depot.

    It then traveled through the ATSF yard and at the South end of the yard crossed East Archer Street before turning West and crossed the SLSF-MKT-MV (later TP, MP) interlocking tracks. It then moved across North Greenwood Avenue, then East 1st Street and to the South side of the ATSF depot on South Elgin Street. Their depot address is 111 East 1st Street.

    The train was scheduled to leave Tulsa the next day at 7:15 a.m. So the the power would be cut off and was taken back to the engine service facility which was located at the south end of the ATSF yard, probably behind the paper recycling industry that use to be there. The power would be fueled, watered and then return to the depot sometime in the middle of the night or early morning for the departure to Kansas City.

    Now here is where more questions arise. Train No. 47 was scheduled to arrive in Tulsa at 7:00 a.m. daily and train No. 212 scheduled to depart at 7:15 a.m.

    So did the possibility exist everyday to see both Tulsan's at the depot at the same time?

    Would the power for No. 212 have to be in place before No. 47 arrived?

    Would the power for No. 47 be in the yard until the afternoon and then moved back to the train?

    Anyone recall any times?

    This is fascinating information as I never knew this took place in Tulsa.

    Once again thanks for all the help.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  3. Steve40cal

    Steve40cal Member

    I'm not sure if the interlocker at downtown Tulsa was always called Urban but it is now.

    I was told it was named after the downtown Tulsa Urban Renewal project. Back in the day the Frisco interlocked with Santa Fe, the Katy and the Midland Valley (later Missouri Pacific) next to the freight house downtown east of the passenger depot.

    The interlocking tower had arm strong levers for throwing switches and clearing semaphore signals. BNSF still interlocks here with UP and SKOL.

    It is also end of CTC for the Cherokee sub and begins restricted limits for Cherokee Yard.

    Steve
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  4. HWB

    HWB FRISCO.org Supporter

    Thanks for the information.

    So there was a tower. Good to know. I would still like to see a map or plan if anyone has one.

    I'm thinking of modeling this interlocker and need something better than a street map.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  5. slsfrr (Jerome Lutzenberger RIP 9/1/2018)

    slsfrr (Jerome Lutzenberger RIP 9/1/2018) Engineer Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Try this link.

    http://www.nscalerailroadn.com/Index.html

    and go to issue.

    017 May/Jun 2003, pages 18-23, N-action: Tulsa Interlocking September 1957, Fisher, Richard Module

    I believe that issue is available.

    If it is the same module that I have seen at train shows, it is every will done.

    Jerome
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  6. Frisco2008

    Frisco2008 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The interlocking, also known as (aka) 'The Interlocker" is modeled in very close fidelity by the Tulsa-based Northeast Oklahoma N-Scalers (NEONS).

    They were the subject of the N-Scale magazine article. The have also modeled Tulsa Union Depot and the near-by Frisco freight house and the REA facilities.

    They are always at the Oklahoma City (OKC) train show and may show up at a location near you.

    Glenn
    Tulsa, OK
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  7. friscomike

    friscomike Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Howdy,

    I received this email from Charles DeVilbiss [mkt359@msn.com]. He asked about the Tulsa tower:

    "I got hung up trying to get through to the FRH&M so gave up on all the password stuff. Here I am. The subject describes what I hope has been saved in your archives--as I recall from Schmidt at the old Springfield location, he couldn't locate engineering material on Tulsa Tower, maps, charts, etc. Hopefully something has turned up."

    "I'll appreciate your help--I used to run Tulsa Tower and now have been asked to write up an article on the place for R&LHS newsletter by editor Dr. John Fike. I have my own chart, memories and photos but want to verify and add to what I have to use in this endeavor.

    C. J. DeVilbiss"

    "If you can help CJ, please either post here or send him an email direct."

    "Best regards,

    mike"
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  8. renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013)

    renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013) Passed away March 8, 2013

    You need to be more specific, what Tulsa tower are you talking about?

    What were its name, location, telegraph call letters?

    There were a lot of interlocking towers in Tulsa.

    Richard
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  9. slsfrr (Jerome Lutzenberger RIP 9/1/2018)

    slsfrr (Jerome Lutzenberger RIP 9/1/2018) Engineer Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Mike,

    There is an N scale model railroad club in Tulsa that has a very good model of the interlocking plant.

    He might be able to get information from them.

    Their link:

    http://www.tulsa-neons.com/default.htm

    Jerome
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  10. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Kalmbach Publishing Company's book The Modeler's Guide to Junctions has a very nice picture of the Tulsa Tower on page 23.

    Train No 118, powered by EMD E8A 2008 is depicted in the 1951 image, which was taken by Charles T Mahan, Jr.

    The interlocker protected crossings of the MV RR, the MKT RR, the ATSF RR, and the SLSF RR
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  11. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Karl,

    Do you have an ISBN for that book?

    Thanks,

    Tom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  12. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    ISBN 0-89024-646-7

    BTW, there is also H. K. Vollrath's picture of the Neosho interlocker.

    This picture appeared in Stagner's book.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024
  13. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

  14. mark

    mark Staff Member Staff Member

    Richard,

    In your post on this thread you note "There were a lot of interlocking towers in Tulsa."

    How many other towers do you know existed in Tulsa?

    Where were these other interlocking towers you referenced?

    Do you have photographs, diagrams, maps, timetables or other references of the other towers?

    I am familiar with the Tulsa Interlocking Tower that was located just northeast of the intersections of East 1st Street and South Hartford Avenue. This was the crossing of the Frisco, Santa Fe, Midland Valley and Katy just east of the Tulsa Union Depot.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2024
  15. tmfrisco

    tmfrisco Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have that picture and also saw it in the Classic Trains photo gallery last week.

    It is a great picture, however, the caption is incorrect. It says that the engine has just crossed the TP/MV crossing and is preparing to cross the MKT, but it should have read that the engine has just crossed the MKT and is preparing to cross the TP/MV. The Santa Fe is the crossing closest to the camera.

    The Frisco delivered cars to the Katy and Santa Fe through this interlocker and the MV, or MoP later, across 17th Street on the Texas Belt north of the entrance into the Texaco refinery.

    p.s. To view this picture check out the photo of the day feature of Classic Trains and type in Tulsa Tower.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2024

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