In 1982, the call board in OKC looked about like this: 1 train out west-537 with 3210 on the return. 1 turn out west to Cyril or Fletcher as needed (usually every night except weekends). 2 trains east-30 and the OCCY with 537 and 539 returning. 1 7:00 am switcher 1 8:00 am yard job 1 "Dayton job" (switched Dayton tires) 1 4:00 pm yard job 1 "Midnight job" in the yard as needed 1 "Lawton job" (switched Goodyear tires) In the Spring, a grain turn would be bulletined to switch wheat elevators between Quanah, TX and Altus, OK and sometimes as far as Headrick. During this time there were a steady stream of work trains being run on the West end, because the track conditions would make you want to cry. How many trains does this crew district run today? I worked in the Oil Boom days, pulled the pin before the oil bust of 1985, and haven't been back for a visit.
Very interesting information - sorry that I can't answer the question. Welcome aboard though. Charlie ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO! | IAMOKA.com
I live in Mustang, Oklahoma, which is on the route from OKC to Lawton. During the spring & fall, there is some pretty solid traffic. During the summer & winter it sort of dies off. Usually in the morning (10:00), there is a switcher run west that works Firestone and the other places along Newcastle Road. Later in the day there are 2 through freights almost back to back. I usually here another fright go through at about 12:00 - 1:30 in the morning. I'll start paying a little more attention and will let you know.
Welcome to the TrainBoard TrainBooks. Are you retired, or want to go back to work, or going to be a rail fan, or just want to throw rocks at the tracks! ------------------ Watash #982 "See you in the Pit"
While clicking thru the BNSF website, I noticed that the Oklahoma sub has been spun-off, as it was labeled "shortline railroad". What is the story on that? Where do the West end trains tie up now?
Boy, am I ever glad to hook up with you guys. I had begun to think there was noone on the net interested in Frisco! I live in Hobart, Ok, at what used to be a hub of Frisco and Rock Island, and have done a lot of research into both in Oklahoma. Most old Frisco tracks are now either GrainBelt or FarmRail (the case where I live is FarmRail). Farmrail names its locos after Native American Tribes in Oklahoma. They are mostly old Paducah rebuilds of GP-9M's or GP-10's. They pull unrepainted used rolling stock from every road, plus some modern. A lot of the traffic is seasonal-grain, etc. and chemicals. The old Santa Fe line south through Lone Wolf to Altus and Wichita Falls, Tx is also FarmRail, and has been redone to very good conditions. Alas, The Rock east-west line was abandoned in the 80's. I got to witness the "joining cermony" for Frisco and BN (which was held near Clinton, Ok) and have photos of it. I had an Uncle who worked with Frisco on MOW crews for 40 years, and a couple for BN before he pulled the plug. I have lots to share, and lots to learn. Anyone interested? Graphite
Welcome to trainboard Graphite i'm sure you will enjoy this place as much as I do. I'd love to see some pictures of the farmrail locomotives as i have an interest in grain terminals and operations. You might want to take a look at this topic http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000223 I look forward to seeing more of your posts
Graphite, Welcome aboard!! One other Frisco spin-off you may know about is the Kiamichi Railroad down in southeastern Oklahoma. Its fleet of 20 burgundy-painted locomotives (GP7s, GP9s, GP10s, GP35s, GP35Ms, and GP38s) haul up to 35,000 carloads yearly on the former Ardmore & Arkinda Subdivision, and the remnant of the Arthur Sub from Paris, TX north to Antlers, OK. FYI, two ex-Farmrail GP7s (617, Kiowa and 620, Caddo) came to Kiamichi in November 1987. One became KRR 702, while the other became Chaparral 703.
Thanks, Friscobob. I have been on the Kiamichi- the tourist train, several years ago. Took the turn North to Antlers. At the time, I didn't realize it also ran south across the river. Like to do that sometime. My Uncle had several photos he took while doing MOW on the Red River Bridge. He hated it, from what he said. He was in the Navy, WW 2, and had gotten all the water he ever wanted to see, he said!
Also, on my last visit to the FarmRail yards in Clinton, I noticed that they have several old heavyweight passenger cars, Royal Blue in color. There was some talk at one time about a tourist run out in this part of the country. Haven't heard anything more in several years. It was supposed to be a dinner train-type run, like the Ark & Missouri runs from time to time. Incidentally, FriscoBob, do you know how the Westbound line out of Hugo came to be? I read once that John Ringling of circus fame, who owned several oilfield operations, sponsored the addition in order to get his oil products out. It was also used to connect the circus's winter quarters at Hugo (the huge winter barns are still there, west side of town) with the mainline North-South, and with the MKT. The circus moved its winter quarters to Florida in the 70's, and it really hurt Hugo, plus Frisco went out soon after that.
