Steam-era unit trains?

Did the Frisco ever run solid trains of coal and/or oil between the wars? If so, where?

 

There is a difference between a unit train and a "solid consist" of a given commodity. A unit train is comprised of a single commodity, sent from one shipper to a single consignee. The railroad gives the shipper a better rate for this arrangement. In general, unit trains are not a one-time movement.

The Frisco brought out the company photographer on numerous occasion for special steam-powered movements of a single commodity, e.g., beer, cotton, strawberries, etc. The Leaky Roof even ran the "Cass County Lime Train, which distributed agricultural lime to towns in Cass County, MO.

The Frisco was an innovator in the concept of the unit train. During 1940, the Frisco proposed a rate of $2/per ton vs $$2.75 per single car-load for coal moving from Oklahoma and Arkansas (off the Central Div) to St Louis. The rate required a shipment minimum of 2000 tons, and the usual single shipper and single consignee restriction. Twenty-two other coal roads opposed the rate, but the ICC approved the rate. On July 11, 1940 the first three trains were photographed ready to depart the depot at Ft Smith. Three spic and span, 1306-class 2-8-0's handled the three trains. A photo appears in the Aug 1967 TRAINS.

 

In 1927 or 1928, there was a 27-car train that hauled 1,485 tons of limestome sent to Cass County as a part of a lime day program. A 27-car train on the Leaky Roof would have made quite a sight.

 

The Cass County Lime train operated on July 9, 1928 between KC and Garden City. It was double-headed, and the event was recorded by Pathe News. The train included a flat car for the band, and a coach for officials.

 

I remember seeing something back in one of the older Meteors about solid block Strawberry trains in the late 20's and early 30's. But of course this would be a seasonal thing.

Ethan

 

Not Karl, but here is all I got -

"Approximately1,300 acres of alfalfa and 1,000 acres of sweet clover were sown in the countyduring the year. A lime train of 27 cars carrying 1,485 tons was run into thecounty and a lime day program was attended by nearly 2,000 people. Twolimestone bins were established during the year making a total of 13 in thecounty. One or more cars of lime were unloaded at each station. One Kiwanisclub in the county accompanied the train and wore suits made especially for theoccasion. They also furnished transportation for a band while a chamber ofcommerce paid the cost of obtaining the band. Another chamber of commercefurnished meals for the band and speakers and took all the advertising space inthe special limestone edition. A limestone contest was conducted in the countyopen to clover and prosperity delegates. The prizes were a 50 ton car of lime,1 bushel of alfalfa seed and 100 pounds of sweet clover seed. The first prizewas awarded to one delegate for having taken orders for 11 carloads of lime.The nine men who competed in the contest took orders for 2,500 tons of lime apart of which was delivered by the lime train. Circular letters were sentduring the year to seed dealers in the county who cooperated by placing therecommended alfalfa seed in stock. These dealers reported at the end of theyear the sale of 16,682 pounds of the recommended alfalfa seed. Newspapers inthe county issued three special editions relating to legumes soil improvementand the limestone train. Two circular letters were sent to all business men inthe county one inclosing soybean handbills and another alfalfa posters whichthe business men were asked to display. Five hundred soybean stickers and 2,000lime stickers were distributed through the delegates. Three thousand soybeanhandbills were distributed by two men in each of 20 different towns. They wereplaced in automobiles."
US DEPARTMENTOF AGRICULTURE Cooperative EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS1928, page 22

 

Thanks for all the good info and the clarification.

What of stock trains?