Attached is a news service photograph of number 21 at Belton, MO. The caption bears little infomation about the image, but it seems that the Four Aces and 1013 were regulars on the Clinton Sub passenger local at this time, and the arrival of diesel power was pending. Not only was the existance of the steam locomotives in peril, but the train itself would pass from the scene within 5 years.
I thoroughly enjoy these types of "action photos." I wonder if that's an REA van backed up against the platform? I often forget that milk hauling wasn't just a northeastern railroad phenomenon. I think this aspect of operations is going to require further research in the Frisco Employee's Magazines. And, I think I need to add a few milk cans to the platform at our Olathe depot. Best Regards,
Neat shot Karl, a scene repeated thousands of times a day across the country. I grew up in Maplewood, a suburb of St. Louis, and the morning MP passenger train stopped there and tons of milk cans were exchanged. I'm not sure where it came from or where it was going. If it was to Pevely Dairy, they could have just driven it a few more miles. Always wondered about that. Should have asked the agent since I hung around the depot a lot in the summer watching steam since Hungerford ruined my favorite road. Never missed watching the commuter train go west with a loud talking 4-6-2. Then one day it had a blue and white Alco FA on it and the world as I knew it ended. It's all crap now.
I find it interesting that the head end car is one of the express, baggage, mail triple types. That is the same type that used on the little 2 car Wichita train for many years Tony L.
As usual, the press got it partly right referring to 1111 and 1013 as "sisters." They were of the Frisco family, but we here on Frisco.org know 1111 was a 4-6-0 and 1013 was a 4-6-2 Pacific. These numbers place those locomotives on the High Line, or possibly other lines out of Kansas City. Good modelling information.
Karl, you continue to amaze me with your collection of goodies. Obviously I, again, seem to be the ignorate one on this stuff. I have never seen a triple door car such as this. I did find a similar unit for Seaboard, but photos seem to be very hard to find.
I had the same thought as Keith. Look at the reflection on the baggage car from the guy on the cart with the milk cans, compared to the drab appearance of the automobile. Even in their final hour on these lesser routes, the Frisco kept 'em clean (usually)! Ken
Oldguy--That car is a 15' RPO-baggage combo, the Frisco had several, most with turtleback roofs. I've seen a photo of Frisco's car #109 which looked like that and had a monitor roof. Tom
Just curious if the Bethelehem Car Works B&O model ( http://www.bethlehemcarworks.com/Products/Sparrows_Point/images/B&O%20RPO-Baggage%20Kit%20SP-46_small.JPG) would be a good stand-in for the RPO car? Anyone ever put one of their kits together?
Robert, it looks to me like it would be a good starting point. However, it might need some kitbashing. Just by eye-balling the kit, it looks to be a 70' long model, whereas #109 to which Tom refers above was 61' long over the end sills. Otherwise, I think it would be a "good enough" stand-in without any butchery. Best Regards,
I forget where I've seen the real good roster shot of #109 (On this chatboard or somewhere else??), but there's also a pretty good view of it in the wide panorama shot on page 130 of Collias' Frisco Power (2nd car in the little "pike size" passenger train). At some point the car was painted red and silver and was used as the RPO on the Oklahoma City-Lawton connection of the Meteor. Tom
Yardmaster Chris--The vehicle backed up to the platform might have been the mail messenger hauling mail to/from the Post Office. Tom
Agricultural products were shipped by rail all across America. Milk, eggs, baby chicks, etc. Any members have tarriffs that show just what the Frisco hauled? Though slowing disappearing, there were still a lot of small farm towns in the 60s. I visited a farm during the summer of 1960 in Oklahoma just across the border from Texas and there was still no indoor plumming! I don't remember it it was a one or two hole privy though.... Carrollton, Texas, was still receiving LCL shipments in 1961 and it is just about 12 miles north of Dallas. Gads, look at it today in 2012! Joe Toth
These items would have been handled by REA, so there would not have been a Frisco tariff. However, the Frsico handled nearly everything a small community might need in lcl lots. I have a book of delivery tickets from Weaubleau, and I have posted just a few at http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?1697-Weaubleau-D-132.2&highlight=Weaubleau Post #5
