20
A MERRY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM R.C. GRAYSONCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & PRESIDENT OF THE FRISCO RAILROAD
REPRINTED FROM THE DECEMBER 1974 ALL ABOARD
Frisco Photo's Pg.8-11The Frisco Museum's Dining car was in need of paint.In Frisco Photo's we show you some of the fun we hadpainting the car and share some history of the car arrivingin Springfield. Larry Gaddy
Timetables Pg.12-15For the majority of rail travelers, trains and timetableswere synonymous. The public timetable was a quick andconvenient source of information for train schedules,accommodations, and services. This is the third in a fivepart series in which we are profiling the public timetablesissued by the Frisco. This installment features those producedbetween 1935 and 1949. Alan Schmitt
Rick's Tips Pg.16-17Rick McClellan's tips this issue are about Flat Car LoadsHow to model them and be different, yet realistic.
Ray The Researcher NEW FEATURE' Pg.18Ray Wells, the Frisco Museum's Researcher, writesabout the Frisco/BN merger.
Retired Frisco Employee Turns 100 Pg19
FRONT COVER:20 years ago the Frisco Railroad and the Burlington NorthernRailroad merged. The cover is a reminder that though the Frisco isno longer a working railroad, it is still in our minds, and our hearts.For more information about the merger, see Ray the Researcher'sarticle on Pg 18.
BACK COVER:Classic FriscoA beautiful snow scape scene. This photo is in the museum'scollection. It appears to be a promotional photo.
DONNA WAGNER, PRESIDENTOctober 22nd, 2000! Impor-
tant day for you? It was for Alan andmyself. That was the day a new"Working Board" was elected, and weare very excited about it.
Out of that board we have anAll Aboard Committee, and we areworking on a Finance Committee and aMembership Committee. Things arereally hopping around here!!! We had awork day and repainted our Diner/Lounge Car, painted the front door, cutbrush and bushes (thanks guys, thatwas lots of fun) and are going to get ourfence painted. We want to work on thecabooses also, but we will probablyhave to wait until spring to do that. Weare being represented at some trainshows again and have a new memberfrom the Tulsa train show.
I want to thank our previousboard for the time they donated.
We need volunteers! I wouldlike to have as many as we can get. Forworking at the museum, we can use 1from 2 PM to 4 PM on Wednesdays, 2on Thursday and Fridays 1 from 10 AMto 1 PM and 1 from 1 PM to 4 PM. OnSaturdays we need 1 from 10 AM to1 PM. That is only 3 hours a day, andif enough people volunteer it would onlybe every other week or so. I have awonderful volunteer from 10 AM to2 PM, Linda Kerseythe wife of our Vice-President. She has been with us for2 1/2 years and I simply could not dowithout her. I get lots of comments onhow nice she is. We make volunteeringa lot of fun, so please try to find a fewhours to spare and give me a call.
There is a membership renewalform with this All Aboard. We are goinghave the same renewal date foreveryone, Jan 1st, for all members.That gives us the ability to budget themuseum's funds and it will makemembership renewals easier.
I will be sending a 3 monthfinancial statement out with the next AllAboard so you know what our incomeand expenses are. Those of you who
can't just "pop in" this will let you knowour financial position and see whereyour money goes.
We are working on the AllAboard, getting it out in a timely manner.Please note that we have some newarticles in the All Aboard. If you haveany ideas, suggestions or articles forthe All Aboard, or can volunteer sometime to put it together we welcome yourhelp. We are also considering peopleto put on this committee.
We are celebrating our 14thyear of operation. June 1st was thedate that we started in 1986. We havebeen in Springfield for 7 years as ofSeptember 23rd. We have a greatmuseum with a lot of artifacts andmemorabilia and with your help we willbecome even better.
I truly want to thank all of youwho have stayed with us. All of yoursupportive calls, letters & visits areappreciated. Also appreciated are thedonations and ideas that you bring us.I hope the excitement rubs off on all ofyou! Let's stay connected.
Donna
Daniel Batson, Editor ALL ABOARD!
Hello, my name is DanielBatson, I am the new editor for the AllAboard! magazine and I am also theSecretary of the Board. I am fromSpringfield, MO and was raised alongthe High Line just outside of Willard,MO. I have been involved with themuseum for several years throughmodel railroad groups and being amember.
Enough about me, I volun-teered to take over the job of editor forseveral reasons. My goals for themagazine are to produce the magazineon a regular basis, 4 times a year. Iwant to build a staff to produce andwrite regular features and to train oracquire an editor to take over the AllAboard by 2002. Another of my goals isto have a surplus of regular featurearticles, and have a list of authors whocan write Feature Articles. And ofcourse, to have a consistent and qualitymagazine that is fun, informative, andeasy to read for Frisco Museummembers. Without you, publishing thismagazine is impossible. We need volun-
teers to write articles, research data,and help print and stuff the All Aboard.I am asking for each of you who readthis to think if there is something youcan do to get this magazine to press.No matter how small or insignificantyou might think it is, believe me, it doeshelp! Even addressing the envelopeswould be a help. And for those of youwith knowledge of, or worked for theFrisco RR, how about spending sometime putting that knowledge ancexpertise down on paper. I can providepeople to help write the article.
Here are some of the new fea-tures you can expect to see in this, ancfuture issues. Those with an *astericknext to it, needs a volunteer to produceand write it. *What's Happen in! 1 to 2page collection of things going oraround the Frisco System today (thiscollection is dependent on the memberssending us information from all alongthe System, modern and historical alikewill be included). Frisco PhotoPhoto's of Frisco today and years goneby. *Remember When A look back byFrisco employees, spouses ancrailfan's, stories (embellished is fine!)Ray The Researcher Ray Wells wilshare some of the research he hasdone, or some of the interesting materiahe has come across in his time asresearcher at the museum.
Some ideas for new featuresIndustries the Frisco serviced, Historyand purpose of memorabilia in theMuseum's collection. I need volunteerto get these in print. I also need someoneto take the Caboose Chronicle series.
Here is a list of the people whchelped put this issue together: AlarSchmitt, Donna Wagner, Larry GaddyGordon Garrett, Jeff Ruth, GarlancKersey, Ray Wells, Rick McClellan. T(each of these people go my thanks foa job well done. We put this issuetogether in less than a month, and plaron having another issue ready to go topress by the end of January. Work hasalready begun, there is still plenty otime for you to volunteer your time oinformation.
In closing, this is our first timeas ateam, there will be mistakes. Pleas(don't beat us up to bad with themContact me with anything for the AlAboard at [email protected] or myhome #417/863-6402. Dan
Frisco Museum Business PageBoard of Directors Meeting that have been discussed is toA new Board of Directors was go ahead and designate anappointed by the old BOD on organization(s) to take theOctober 10th, 2000. The new museum in full, or parts.BOD is listed in the column to The call for volunteersthe right. The BOD was brought was made to ease the burden onup-to-date on the financial the Frisco staff (Donna) andsituation of the museum, and the few volunteers that donatethe state of affairs by Donna their time now. She needsWagner, President ofthe Frisco someone to help run theMuseum. Some of the business museum, give tours and help inbrought before the board: the the gift shop during the weekAll Aboard magazine, and on Saturdays. There is adisposition of the museums need for a qualified volunteerassets if it was ever dissolved, to scan the museum's photo'sneed for volunteers to help at into a database. The All Aboardthe museum and submissions editor is needing volunteersto the All Aboard, several from all over the system toamendments to the By-Laws volunteer their knowledge, time(changes addressed, written and writing skills for articlesnotice to all BOD members 15 for the magazine. There is alsodays prior to next BOD meeting) a need for membershipneed to elect a Chairman of the recruitment. The BOD is askingBoard. members that go to train shows
The All Aboard to ask for space to place a postermagazine was discussed in and brochures about thedetail. The highest priority is museum membership.to produce the magazine on a Charles Robertsregular basis, 4 times a year. resignation was read, he isDan Batson volunteered to take resigning because of ill health.on the job of editor until a Art Lindeman has asked to besuitable replacement can be an "Advisor" to the board andfound. museum. Both of these Frisco
The disposition of the members are greatlymuseum's assets is written that appreciated for all of their workin the event the museum was to and commitment to theclose, 1. Find an organization museum through the years.to take the assets as a whole, Thank you Charles and Art.2. Find several organizations To all who have stuckto take parts of the assets, & 3. with the museum, we sayIn the case there is no interest thanks. We hope to get thein the assets, then it would be magazine back on track and onsold and the proceeds to go to time. It's time to board and getanother organization of like this train on the high iron.disposition after all expenses Meeting adjourned.were paid. The only changes
Fayetteville, ARAs far as current happenings
go, several people are looking atdeveloping the old Frisco depot herein Fayetteville. Several ideas havebeen put forth, but I think thatfinancing will be the key. Also, theconcrete foundations for the varioussteam-era facilities are still visible atFayette Junction on the south side ofFayetteville. Cato Springs Roadintersects the tracks of the Ark-Mo.RR and a side street will take you tothe north end of the 'Y'. With wintercoming on, the grass should diecompletely and reveal all thatremains. if anyone wants photos andor measurements of the Fayettevilledepot, freight house, and/or yardoffice, they should not wait, as one ofthe proposals was the construction ofsome sort of hotel adjacent to thedepot. If anyone is interested, youcan email [email protected] Mccullah
Springfield, MOIn June a heavy rain of around
3 to 4 inches caused some problems onthe old High Line and the South Yard.The bridge the BNSF uses tointerchange with the M&NA (the oldMoPac line into Springfield), had tobe checked for damage and the BNSFalso had to put down quite a bit ofballast on the tracks in the SouthYard. The switch crew for the SouthYard usually is working there around5 PM everyday except possiblySaturdays. They work the industriesdown thru the middle of Springfield,like Karchmers Iron & Metal(gondolas), Tindle Mills, a lumbercompany and used to switch MFAMilling until they closed it down a fewyears ago. Chris Alsup &
Dan Batson
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TXI'm still spotting, on a regular basis,the Frisco beige single-door boxcarscoming through on the KCS and BNSFin the Dallas area. They have thecoonskin outline (black) and reportingmarks both on the left side of the door.These seem to be one of the mostabundant car-types still in Friscocolors. I have just been spotting themrecently on the KCS in Lewisville, Tx.on the way to BNSF's Ft. WorthAlliance yard, and have also seenthem coming down BNSF's (formerSanta Fe from Oklahoma) line intoFt.Worth. All I know about the cars iswhat I said (beige, black herald andreporting marks to the left of a singledoor. Herald does NOT have the whitecenter).
Christonh er Ad ams
April 1941, Better Homes & Food Show at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, MO
Question? Hi, I am sick andtired of my friends telling methe Frisco was not a big railroad,but I don't know how big itreally was. Can you help meout so I can tell my friendswhat they obviously don'tknow?Answer! YES! We can help.Here are the facts based on theHistorical Guide to NorthAmerican Railroads, publishedby Kalmbach Books in 1985. In1979, just a year before themerger, the Frisco had 4653miles of track in use. TheChicago & Eastern Illinois had644 miles in use in 1957, the
Rock Island, 7021 miles in 1978and the Lehigh Valley in 1974had 988 miles of track. TheErie Lackawanna in 1975 used2807 miles, the MilwaukeeRoad, 3064 miles in 1979, theMinneapolis & St. Paul 1391miles in 1959. The Texas &Pacific in 1975 used 2139 miles,and the Louisville & Nashvilleused 10,396 miles in 1982.Two of the more well knownlines, the Western Pacific andthe Western Maryland, had inthe early 80's approximately1150 miles of track.
The railroads go from 6miles of track listed, to theextreme of over 10,000 miles in1929 that was controlled by theNew York Central Railroad.There is over 900 railroadslisted in this book, includingmergers and buyouts. In the1960's and late 70's, the Friscowas certainly one of the top 15railroads.
So the next time someonegives you a bad time about our"little" railroad, put your headup high and refer them to thisbook.
In 1975's February All Aboard,Robert J. McGilvry was honoredas one of the oldest engineers at97 years old. He began railroad-ing in 1897 with one of the "Big4" railroads. He started with theFrisco Railroad in 1903 and re-tired at "65 past".
March All AboardThe American Freedom Trainstarts next month with 22 red,white & blue cars filled with thehistory ofAmerica. It will travelover 17,000 miles, be viewed by40 to 50 million Americans andmake stops in over 76 cities.
May All AboardOn January 1st, the old RiverDivision was reestablished atChaffee, MO due to increasedtraffic in that area.. The RiverDivision consists of 266 miles ofmainline plus 91.4 miles ofbranch line.
August All AboardRecord Wheat Harvest MovesOn The Frisco! Despite heavyrains, hail and tornadoes, thisyear's wheat harvest producedan all-time bumper crop yieldingapproximetely 30 bushels peracre. The Frisco moved nearly 6million bushels of the yellow gold
October/November All AboardMartha Greer, the first lady"switchperson" with the Frisco isprofiled in this months magazine
December All AboardOpen house at the SpringfieldDiesel shop brings in over 1,000employees and their families
On September 30th, thelast Saturday of the
month, Donna, Alan anda group of volunteersteamed together toclean and paint theFrisco Dining Car
The Dining Car was transported via the CSX andBurlington Northern Railroads. It arrived at the
head end of Train 181.
Time andWeather hadcaused the
paint to fade.
Where's Donna?
While it may look likeeveryone is standing
around, they arewaiting for supplies to
arrive to finishprepping the dining car
for painting.
By lunchtime, everyonehad worked up a good
appetite.
The car was taken to theSpringfield Undergroundfor storage and initial
cleaning and restoration
Ray Wells &Larry Gaddy
are giving extraattention to
several placeson the dining
car before paintcould beapplied.
Painting the carwent quickly once itwas cleaned, sandedand prepped. Thevolunteers worked
in teams.
When it wasdelivered to the
Underground, thedining car could
not make thecurve due to itslength. It is an
85 foot car.
While one team was painting theroof, another team was painting thesides. Behind both of these teams
came another group to take thepaint off the metal fluting.
Standing back andlooking at a job welldone. To the right
is the Frisco caboosewhich is the next
piece of rolling stockthat needs paint. If
you would like tovolunteer or donatemoney for paint, let
us know.
As the work progressed thru the day, thedining car showed a great improvement. Nolonger will you see faded paint, bare metaland dark weathering, now you see a shiny
red paint job. A job well done!
Before the Dining Car was brought tothe Museum, it was painted in the
Burlington Northern Sante Fe'sEquipment Shop, located at the west
end of the Springfield BNSF shop
The dining car was set into place bytwo cranes, one at each end of the car.The two crane operators had to work
together to keep the car balanced, andto keep it from bending in the middleof the car. Once in place, a few choicewords along the lines of "NEVER AGAIN"
was said by the crane supervisor.
To read the entire story about thedining car move, look in the Fall 1995issue of the All Aboard, or contact themuseum for a copy of Volume X No.III
A great group of volunteershelped repaint the Oklahoma
City dining car.THANKS!
Advertising specific trains and various passen-ger services on the back cover and inside pages of thepublic timetables was common place for many years.However, it was not until the summer of 1936 thatspecific advertising began to appear on the frontcovers.
For the majority of rail travelers, trainsand timetables were synonymous. The publictimetable was a quick and convenient source ofinformation for train schedules, accommoda-tions, and services. They also served as anexcellent medium of advertising for both pro-moting the railroad and providing space foradvertising by local businesses along the line.This is the second in a four part series on thehistory of Frisco passenger timetable designs.
The depression of 1929 had its effect onthe Frisco, and by 1932 the road was in thehands of receivers. In 1933 the status waschanged to a trusteeship by court order and theproperty was operated by trustees until January1, 1947, when the reorganization of the com-pany was effected. In order to show that thebankrupt company still possessed the energeticvitality that had marked its previous years ofgrowth, the appearance of the Frisco began tochange. In particular, its public timetables tookon a new look that, with some variation, wouldbecome the standard design for the next four-teen years.
Out was the black cover of the previousthirty-five years. In, first appearing in the fall of1935, was a new design with a white back-ground, red diagonal stripes, and a raised white-on-black logo. Thenine states the Friscooperated in were listedin the lower corner,
along with the issuedate. It is interesting tonote that when the
cover was opened, thediagonal lines on eachside created a "V" effect
In 1938, the raised white-on-black logo wasreplaced with a flat design that included a baracross the bottom edge listing the corporate nameof the company. The background remained white,with red diagonal stripes.
design remained standard until March of 1942.With America now fully involved in the war
effort, the Frisco's's timetables took on a patrioticlook. The "V" design that had been created by useof the diagonal lines now became the stars &stripes "V" for "Victory."
In 1940 and 1941, the basic design formatof the timetables remained the same. However,there appeared a number of variations in colorcombinations. Its not clear if the various designswere simply the result of market research or theonset of World War Ii. Considering the wide spreaduse of institutional advertising by the Frisco duringthe war, it seems likely that the changes wereprompted by the war effort.
In the summer of 1940, the Frisco logoappeared in blue. In addition, the usual insertadvertising specific trains and various passengerservices was replaced with a little "flag waving," asseen below:
In the fall of 1940, the black logo returned,along with the standard copy in the advertisinginsert. In the late spring of 1941, the logo againappeared in blue. In the summer of 1941, the colorformat was reversed with the diagonal lines in blueand the Frisco logo in red. By the fall of 1941, thelines had returned to red and the logo to blue. This
According to our records, the "V" for "Victory" coverdesign remained until the summer of 1945. By theend of the year, the design had returned to the 1938version.
For reasons currently unknown, in Marchand June, 1946, the company produced two time-tables with covers that were a drastic departurefrom the standard design. Both issues featured thesame format. However, the March edition had alight blue background with dark blue logo andlettering, and the June edition had a dark orangebackground with black logo and lettering. Accord-ing to our records, these are the only two issuesprinted in this design.
By the fall of 1946, the covers once againreturned to the 1938 format, with two additions.One, the white space between the two vertical reclines was filled with dark blue lines. Two, the logoand lettering were printed in the same shade ofblue.
In 1947, following the emergence of theFrisco from fourteen years of bankruptcy, the pub-lic timetable covers retained their basic desigrformat, with one exception. In the summer of 1947the LINES on the logo and the bar across thebottom edge listing the corporate name of thecompany, were both removed.
Following the emergence of the Frisco from fourteenyears of bankruptcy, the public timetable covers re-tained their basic design format, with two exceptions.In the summer of 1947, the LINES on the logo and thebar across the bottom edge listing the corporate nameof the company, were both removed.
In March and June, 1946, the company produced twotimetables with covers that were a drastic departurefrom the standard design. While both issues featuredthe same format, the March edition had a light bluebackground with dark blue logo and lettering, and theJune edition had a dark orange background with blacklogo and lettering.
weathered and loaded it won'tlook out of place at all. From thispoint, you can detail the car tothe extent you desire and weightit. If the particular load I ammodeling cannot conceal weight,I try to place extra weight whereever I can hide it which isn't easyto do on a flatcar. The one thing
gray paint. Once this had timeto dry, I glued the pipe to thedeck of the car. From here Iplaced small pieces of balsa woodapproximately 4X4 underneaththe pipe as scotches to preventthe load from rolling and gluedthem to the deck. With thescotches in place it was time to
Flat Car Loads,Easy, Realistic &
Distinctly Different
It is always difficult tocome up with new andinteresting ways to load flatcarswith realistic loads. I feel like Ihave come up with two loadsthat are fairly easy to construct,is realistic, and not like any otherflatcar load you have ever seenbefore.
First, before loading theflatcar, it is best to weather anddetail the car prior to loading. Istart by distressing the deck ofthe car. To do this, I use a razorsaw and drag it across the deckto create a scraped up look,similar to what is seen from a carthat has seen many loads. Withthis done, next I give detail to theends of each board. Oncommercial kits where the deckis a solid piece of plastic, thegrooves of each board on top ofthe deck are not found on theedges of the board. By using aknife, you can create a groovefrom where the one on top stops,this and the distressing of thedeck may not seem very realistic,since it is the color of the moldedplastic, however, once the car is
I've found that works is to usesmall fishing sinkers that I canmash into shapes that will fitevery nook I can find. Moldableweight would work better for this,however with sinkers I can addbetween one-half ounce to a fullounce of weight, and on a 50 to60 foot car every ounce helps! Atthis point you are ready to loadthe car, or if modeling an emptycar, you are ready to go.
The first car I loaded Iused a simple concrete culvertload (fig 1) to model the concretepipe that I used from a cheapTyco car. To make the pipe lookmore like concrete the first thingI did was to give them a coat of
secure the load with cable. Forcable I used black thread. Tostart this process, guide thethread through a post pocket onthe car and tie it off. Next runthe thread over the pipe andinto the opposite pocket, thendraw as much slack as you canout of it so it will appear tight.Then tie it off. To make sure Ihad a tight knot that woulddefinitely hold, I placed a drop of
ACC glue on the thread makingit a secure joint. This shouldcomplete the car and give it arevenue load.
For the second car I useda large beam load (fig 2), thisload was a little more complicated
Stories from A Treasury of Railroad Folklore
to create, but I think it makes aninteresting load. To build thebeam I started with a piece ofstrip metal for the center of thebeam. I got this piece from metalused to weigh cars in inexpensivekits, this gives me the addedbonus of adding a good deal ofweight to the car without havingto look for places to conceal it.From here I cut two pieces of .40styrene, approximately 1 /2" wideand about 3/4" long. To simulaterivets I drew out a simplediagonal pattern on each andtapped dimples on these markswith a small nail and hammer.You need to use a small hammerfor this, as it doesn't take muchto leave an indention. For thepiece of the gusset that wouldconnect with another beam, Idrilled holes according to thesame diagonal pattern used forthe rivet detail. With the gussetsmade it was time to glue them tothe beam and paint it. To paintthe beam, I used grey, a red orrust color would also beappropriate. With the paintingdone, it was time to glue thebeam to the deck of the car andsecure it. To secure the load,once again I used thread as cablethen used the same methods ason the previous load. To go overthe top of the car I glued a coupleof pieces of Plastruct angle to thebeam, and drilled a hole throughthe ends and threaded the cablethrough these.
These two loads were notthat difficult to create and giveyou a load that is unique to howyou build it. These two projectscan be completed in a couple ofevenings and will really standout in your yard. Once again itgives you something to ship onthe Frisco!
Down in Arkansas in theold days there was a jerk-waterrailroad with a reputation. Thereputation was that it neveradhered to its schedule.Operating crews, and patronsas well, came to regard thetimecard as the work of apractical joker.
There was a travelingman who rode over the line atfrequent intervals. Oneafternoon when he disem-barked from a smelly daycoachat his destination he hailed theconductor.
"Old man, " he said,extending a large cigar, "acceptthis with my compliments as atoken of gratitude."
"What's the notion?"inquired the conductor.
"Because I've beentraveling on this road for twelveyears and this is the firstoccasion when the train evergot in exactly on time."
"Mister," said theconductor, "that looks to melike a mighty fine cigar and I'mfond of smokin'. But I can'ttake nothin' on false pretenses.I've got to tell you the truth,this ain't today's train, itsyesterday's.
Whistle Stop
A millionaire... bought alarge estate near a tiny whistle-stop station on a neglectedbranch line. From SearsRoebuck he ordered aprefabricated chicken coop and,when he received word that ithad arrived, set out in a truck
with his butler to bring it home.No one was about when he spiedthe coop along the right of way,and he soon had it loaded on thetruck. Half a mile up the roadthey passed a little man in bluewho had "Station Master"written on his cap. He took onelook and shouted "Stop that car.What do you think you have onthat truck?" asked the littleman.
"My new chicken coop,"explained the millionaire.
"Chicken coop my eye,"cried the station master, "that'sGrigsby Station!"
Where He Got The Ice
There was a party ofgentlemen the other day on atrain on one of the roads cominginto Nashville, and none of theparty being strictly temperancemen, one of the crowd suggesteda drink. Another wanted toknow where to get it. All seemedwilling, but the day was warm,very warm. At last the fourthman in the party said he had abottle of fine "cock-tail" whichhe would furnish if anybodycould get the ice.
A fellow passengerremarked that he would furnishthe ice if they would share withhim. He left the car and cameback with plenty, which wasduly used. As a matter of course,in a short time another drinkwas proposed and the ice mankindly requested to furnish thatnecessary article to a cocktail,but with his mouth watering
cont on pg18
Ray Wells, Museum Researcher
The Frisco was officiallymerged into the BurlingtonNorthern on November 1st, 1980.In the 1960's the Frisco hadtalked merger with the ChicagoGreat Western, Santa Fe, andSouthern. In 1966 theBurlington purchased a sizeableblock of Frisco stock.
For about a decade therewas no further substantive newsof a Frisco merger, but onFebruary 1st, 1977 a jointFrisco/BN team was formed tostudy the feasibility of the twosystems merging. Seven monthslater, the two companies agreedto join ranks and on December28th, 1977 the merger app-lication was filed with theInterstate Commerce Comm-ission (ICC). By May 1978, themerger had the endorsement ofthe stockholders of bothcompanies. The ICC conductedhearings in Washington, DC,Chicago and Dallas in 1978 &1979. On April 17th, 1980 theICC unanimously approved themerger.
Implementation plans Folklore Stories - continuedwere put into place and May
"M"" for a drink and every look one of19th was targeted as M Day.longing, he said: "Gentleman, ITwenty-two days later however
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas want the drink, and I could(MKT) asked the courts to delay furnish the ice, but I am afraidthe merger and appealed the if I take any more off the corpseICC decision. On May 13th 1980, it will spoil!the Fifth Circuit Court of Appealsgranted the request for a stay. Public RelationsThe court vacated the stay onNovember 21st of 1980.
The consolidation ofwork While Mr. Stewart waspresident of the Hannibal & St.forces, properties and equipment
of the two roads began Joe, his policy was to make theimmediately. The first merged new means of transportation asfreight train rolled out of Kansas popular as possible withCity on December 1st bound for Missourians. One night he wasSpringfield, Memphis and Birm- traveling over the road when aingham. The new train contained baby set up an outcry whichfreight that began its journey in disturbed the whole coach. ThePortland, OR. When it reached mother tried in vain to quiet theits destination in Birmingham little one. Stewart rose from his3076 miles later it had completedthe longest freight haul over a seat, went to the mother andsingle railroads lines in North said: "Madam, my name isAmerica. Stewart and I am president of
Today the Frisco is part of this road and it is my duty tothe Burlington Northern Santa look after the comfort of theFe and has finally reached it's patrons. Hand that baby tocorporate name, the St. Louis- me."San Francisco. He took the baby in his
Gone, but not Forgotten. arms and walked up and downthe aisle until he put it to sleep.
The first merger freight train from Portland, OR to Birmingham, AL. B.G. Davidson general manage:transportation at Springfield, on the left greets W.H. Egan, V.P. Chicago Region and Samuel Zimmerman
Superintendent, Ottumwa Division. Photo Burlington Northern News - Merger Specia
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:HEATHER D. BERRYHILLCENTERPOINT MARKETING(918) 582-2444
RETIRED RAILROADWORKER CELEBRATES100TH BIRTHDAYTULSA, Okla., August 28, 2000
-Hobert Madison, a local Tulsa man
livin g at Heatheridge Assisted LivingCommunity, will turn one hundred on
Monday, September 11. This retiredrailroad worker was born in 1900 andhas lived long enough to see historicalevents first-hand. His sharp wit,surprisingly young-looking featuresand vivid memory of his days with theSt. Louis-Sam Francisco (Frisco)Railroad seem to be his secret to along, happ y life.
Hobert has been a resident atHeatheridge for the past five years.He has been looking forward to his100th birthday party for quite some
time and says, "I've waited a longtime for this day. I hope all myfamil y and friends at Heatherid ge areplanning a big shin-dig!"
Just as Hobert is proud of turningone hundred. he's even more proud ofhis career with the Frisco Railroad. Asa matter of fact, Hobert comes from along line of Frisco workers. Hisgrandfather, Rasmus Madison andfather, Thomas Madison also workedfor the railroad. Rasmus was a Friscoemployee for forty years and Thomasfifty. Hobert managed to stay forty-fiveyears before he retired. Threegenerations managed to help grow therailroad to where it is today.
Hobert started outas a steno clerk in 1920and moved up toAssistantSuperintendent beforehis retirement in 1965.The Frisco Railroadstarted in St. Louis,Missouri in 1890. By1920, the railroad hadexpanded to eight other
states including:Florida, Texas,Oklahoma, Alabama.Mississippi, Tennessee,Arkansas and Kansas.It began by privateowners andstockholders as apassenger and freightrailroad to helppassengers and cargoget from point A topoint B, faster than theold stagecoaches.
In 1980, the Frisco merged withBurlington Northern-Santa Fe, whichoperates one of the largest railnetworks in North America.
The history of the Frisco Railroad ispreserved by the Frisco Railroad
Museum in Springfield, Missouri. Ifyou visit this museum and look hard
enough, you just might find a fewphotos of the Madison family.
When asked about his favoriteactivities and hobbies Hobert said. "1love to dance and go to church. 1 usedto love to drive until they took my caraway when 1 was ninety-five. I forgavethem though. The roads are probably alittle safer with me off them!"
Heatheridge Assisted LivingCommunity will be celebratingHobert's 100th birthday on Monday.September I I at 12:30 p.m.Heatheridge is located at 2130 S. 85thL. Avenue. Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74129.All are welcome to join in celebratinga century of life.
Heatheridge is a Gold MedallionSenior Housing and Healthcare
Community. Other Gold Medallionproperties include: Heatheridge HeightsAssisted Living Community. TheBroadmoor Retirement Community,Rainbow Health Care Communitiesand Leisure Village Health Care Center.For more information please call(918)622-9191.
