St. Louis-Monett-Wichita Trains

Does anyone have information on the St.L.-Wichita trains of the 1950's? (Tr.3-303 & 304-10) Engines, cars, sleeping cars, operations? Especially interested in the late 50's operations around Joplin.

Thanks, Tom

 

Tom

I'm sure you already know, but the Pullmans were Drake University and Norwich University.

Gordon

 

Yes Gordon and I also found that the 221-225 (15' RPO's) and baggage cars were used on that train in its latter days. Educated guess would be an FP-7's or passenger GP-7's; baggage, 15' RPO-baggage, coach and Pullman.?? Also I'm not sure when the service was discontinued?? I guess I'll have to do some time table research.

Thanks, Tom

 

I have seen one photo recently showing the train in the Wichita station with an E-8.

Ken McElreath

 

Thanks Ken--I've been doing some research and in late 1959, the Monett-Wichita (309-310) train consist would have been something like:

--Engine (E-8, re: your post)
--Baggage (no express messenger 363 or 368)
--15' RPO-baggage (221 or 224)
--60 seat coach (1064)
--42 seat coach ("Joplin")

The consist and car numbers came from Fred Frailey on the Yahoo Passenger Car Consist chat board--not sure if 1064 and "Joplin" both would have been in the train or alternated? !959 was after the St. Louis-Joplin Pullman was taken off, but "Norwich University" and "Drake University" served as the St. Louis to Joplin sleepers earlier in the 1950's.

Tom