FEBRUARY - MARCH 1992

VOLUME 6 February - March, 1992 NUMBER 5

Doodlehugging on the Frisco 6They were classic Brill Model #55 gas electric motor cars originally purchasedfor service on the Gulf; Texas, & Western Railway. Nos. 600, 601, and 651are on track in this issue.

Rick's Tips 7

Frisco Folk Rick McClellan shares with us an assortment of modeling tricks,tips, and neat things to do that are relatively simple, inexpensive, and quick, allof which can enhance the appearance and operation of your layout. Thisinstallment features tips for building power control panels for your layout

Frisco Roster Tales 9Frisco Folk Ken Wulfert shares with us the first of a series of Roster Tales onthe Frisco's diesel switcher locomotives. This installment features the NW-2's,SW-7's & SW-9's.

Down At The Depot 17First established as Ft. Wichita in 1868, Fort Sill, OK is the featured station inthis issue.

FRISCO BAY WINDOW CABOOSE #154 12This is the second in a two part edition of the NEW CAR SHOP in which FriscoFolk Rick McClellan provides detailed instructions for an HO scale model ofthe only wooden hay window caboose on the Frisco.

PresidentAlan Schmitt

Vice-PresidentClarence Pearce

Secretary-TreasurerSaundra Schmitt

Alan SchmittClarence PearceSaundra Schmitt

Charles E. MahaffeyWarren Hall

Richard Napper

Editor Alan SchmittFMIS Editor Richard NapperContributing Editor's:

Rick McClellanKen WulfertJim Quarles

DISTRIBUTIONRachel Schmitt Sarah Schmitt

Frisco 4-4-0 #42 sits fired and ready for service on the turntable at Enid, OKcirca. 1909.

MODELING IN PUBLIC 15Frisco Folk Jim Quarles offers some insights and "tricks of the trade" that areboth applicable to public and home layout operations.

FRISCO STATION SCHOOL 19The significant contribution that women made on the Frisco is evident in thisarticle about the Frisco Station School, which first appeared in the Frisco Manmagazine, December, 1917.

An assortment of Frisco equipment and facilities in the 1990's is captured forus in this photo feature by the cameras of Frisco Folks Wayne Porter andRichard Napper.

ABOUT THE COVERFrisco Folk Steve Thiel captures classic Friscosteam power as 4-8-2 1522 makes the grade intoRolla, MO, October 27, 1991. See related story

The Frisco Folks headline markedthe section in the various companypublications that reported the activitiesand accomplishments of companyemployees and their families. TheFrisco was a family oriented company!The Frisco Railroad Museum Inc. iscontinuing that family tradition inour FRISCO FOLKS supportorganization, for individuals whobelieve in the purpose and objectives ofthe museum and are committed topreserving the rich heritage of the Frisco.A variety of membership levels areoffered, as follows:

SWITCHMAN: A one yearmembership for a donation of $25.00BRAKEMAN: A two year membershipfor a donation of $50.00.FIREMAN: A three year membershipfor a donation of $75.00.CONDUCTOR: An expanded threeyear membership for a donation of$100.00.ENGINEER: A life membership for aone time donation of $500.00 or more.

The museum is pleased to acknowledgethe following membership renewals inthe FRISCO FOLKS:

Lawrence Pakula BrakemanMarylandDon Kincy SwitchmanArkansasSteve Counts SwitchmanMissouriDanny Nigh SwitchmanMissouriRobert W. Metcalf SwitchmanMissouriW.B. Fletcher SwitchmanCaliforniaRon Pottenger SwitchmanMissouriGlenn Martin SwitchmanMissouriW.L. Jack SwitchmanVirginia

William Lane SwitchmanTexasWayne Porter SwitchmanNebraskaJames Freeman SwitchmanCaliforniaBruce Danielson SwitchmanMinnesotaSteve Roberts SwitchmanSouth CarolinaChris Perez SwitchmanFloridaWilliam Pollard SwitchmanArkansasRobert Dick SwitchmanMissouriJim Marsh SwitchmanMissouriLeroy W. Sweetland SwitchmanFloridaEd Paschal SwitchmanMissouriDoug Hughes SwitchmanMarylandB.W. Van Allen SwitchmanArkansasHoward Rector SwitchmanMissouri

The museum is pleased to welcome thefollowing new members to the FRISCOFOLKS:

Lee E. Monroe EngineerColoradoCharles Menley FiremanMissouriWilliam C. Hogin SwitchmanU.S. Virgin IslandsRaymond E. Verr SwitchmanArizonaL.L. Clerico SwitchmanKansasSteve Talent SwitchmanArizonaJeffery D. Knobelock SwitchmanOhioPaul Abendroth SwitchmanNew JerseyDennis M. Barnette SwitchmanMississippi

- note from the

Membership Secretary

When the museum first openedin 1986, we set as a long-term goal a netgrowth rate of fifty new Frisco Folkseach year. June 1, 1992 will mark theend of our fifth year of operation. I ampleased to announce that as of February1, 1992, we have reached our 1991-92goal of 300 members! Thanks to eachof you for being a very special part ofour Frisco family. If it wasn't for youfolks, The Frisco Railroad Museum Inc.would not be in existence!

Fromthe

Presidents

DeskThere was a time when I

thought the phrase, "Due tocircumstances beyond our control..."was a convenient excuse for anorganization's lack of commitment,concern, or effort in providing qualityproducts and services in a timelymanner. However, since the museumopened its doors in June, 1986, I havechanged my thinking and havedeveloped a new understanding andappreciation for that phrase.

A case in point is our 1992calendars. For the last three years (1989-90-91) we have attempted to produce acalendar replica as close to the originalsissued by the Frisco as possible. The1992 calendar (1964 calendar year) wasgoing to continue in that same format.The layout work for the 1992 issue wascompleted and taken to the printer inOctober, 1991 so as to allow amplepreparation & printing time to send itour with the December-January issueof the ALL ABOARD. When thecalendar wasn't ready at the first ofFebruary, thus delaying the mailing ofthe ALL ABOARD, two decisions were

two new

MEMBER INCENTIVE

The museum is pleased to announce two new Member IncentivePrograms that will benefit both our Frisco Folks family andthe museum's growth & operation!

NEW MEMBER REFERRAL

made. One, this year we will print ourown calendar and two, we will findanother printer! Both have beensuccessfully accomplished andalthough, "Due to circumstancesbeyond our control," it's not a colorrendition, please find enclosed your1992 calendar!

PROGRAMS

In order for us to maintaincurrent records, and so you won't missout on receiving your ALL ABOARDand other museum correspondence,please notify the museum office of anychange in your address and/or phonenumber.

While preserving traditionsand memorabilia from the Frisco is aprimary goal of The Frisco RailroadMuseum Inc., we are also committedto establishing and maintaining acomprehensive archives of historical,technical, and photographic informationabout the Frisco. We are a museum anda resource center! Access to out archivesis available through the FRISCORESEARCH SERVICE. If a memberof our Frisco Folks has a question aboutthe history, operations, equipment,facilities, services, etc. that were a partof the Frisco, we will research theirquestion and prepare a written report.In addition, a list will be provided of anyreprints of related documentation that isavailable.

The Research Service is themost popular program offered by themuseum and although two days a weekare now being devoted solely to research,there is still a six to eight week back-logof requests.

Each requests is thoroughlyresearched and while it takes time toprocess them, the end result is alwaysquality work well worth the wait.

When you submit a request,your patience and cooperation will begreatly appreciated!

"Word-of-mouth advertising is the best advertising an organizationor business can get!" We have all heard that statement and can attest to itstruth. Many of our Frisco Folks have already been spreading the word aboutour museum and the programs & services we have to offer. Well, we thinkit's time such good advertising should be rewarded! Consequently, as ofMarch 1, 1992, we are establishing a NEW MEMBER REFERRALprogram. For every new member that a current member refers, they willreceive a 10 % credit towards their next renewal. EXAMPLE: When aSwitchman member refers a new member, they will receive a $2.50 credit ontheir next renewal. Refer ten new members in one year, and your nextrenewal is FREE! It's the best of two worlds: Refer new Frisco Folks andhelp the museum grow while, at the same time, saving yourself some bucks!The New Member Referral program will apply to Switchman throughConductor levels of membership.

MEMBER RENEWAL DISCOUNT

Our Frisco Folks membership program is the life-line of ourorganization! We take great pride in being a 100% member supported group.When membership renewals are received in a timely manner, it helps themuseum meet its financial obligations and maintain an efficient and costeffective operation. Consequently, as of March 1, 1992, all renewals that arereceived prior to the mailing of a second renewal notice will receive a 10%credit towards their next renewal. EXAMPLE: When a Switchman membersends in their renewal prior to a second renewal notice being mailed, theirnext year's renewal will be $22.50 rather than $25.00. It's not much, butevery little bit counts! The 10% discount credit will always be based on thenormal membership amount and is open to Switchman through Conductorlevels of membership.

St. Louis Steam Train Association's auxilary water tender for 1522Newburg, MO October 27, 1991 Ken Wulfert photo

St. Louis Steam Train Association's "Firefly" Crew CarNewburg, MO October 27, 1991 Ken Wulfert photo

ByKen Wulfert

EDITOR'S NOTE: Frisco Folk KenWulfert offers a status report and somepersonal observations on the latest runof restored Frisco "Mountain" steamlocomotive No.1522. (See ROSTERTALES, December-January, 1991-92ALL ABOARD, pp. 13-14)

Many of you are aware thatFrisco 1522 was plagued during thespring/summer of 1991 with anoverheating hearing problem in herengine (pilot) truck. The hot bearingcaused two trips to be suddenly aborted,both while on the BN. Loyal 1522'ssupporters worked very hard during thesummer and fall to replace the frictionbearings with roller hearings. OnOctober 26-27, 1991, old friend 1522was subjected to some trial runs on theBN to test out the new hearings. Shepassed all tests with high marks!

On Saturday, October 26, sheran from St. Louis to Valley Park andhack for the initial tests. All went well,so on Sunday, October 27, the big Frisco4-8-2 steamed down to Newburg,Missouri with a train of assorted freightcars, plus her auxiliary water tender andthe St. Louis Steam Train Association'screw car, the Firefly.

As on Saturday, 1522performed well. I was able to be inNewburg that day to see her arrival.Though late because of BN traffic, 1522made her usual impressive show. I wasquite touched by the reaction in thetown to this unannounced happening.The small group of BN, SLSTA, and St.Louis NRHS people who were there togreet 1522 attracted a number of thelocals to join the show. When 1522arrived, complete with her melodiouswhistle - echoing across the Little Piney

valley, plus great blasts of smoke andsteam and the usual ruckus of an arrivingtrain, many more locals literally camedown out of the hills to join in. As youmight suspect, there was much "Friscotalk" that went on while 1522 and hertrain ran down to Bundy Junction to beturned on the wye, and then was servicedat Newburg. It was a great time!

I was on a tight schedule andhad to leave Newburg before 1522 leftto return to St. Louis. As I roared out oftown, two sights caught my eye thatwill not he forgotten. First, wheelingdown Newburg's main street, headingtowards the tracks, was an old gentleman

in wheel chair, moving as fast as hecould so he could see the steam trainbefore it left town. Second, I saw in mycar's rear view mirror the same sightthat was causing the old man to rushdown to the tracks - there, centered inline with Newburg's main street, framedby the buildings, was a sight I had seenbefore only in photos. A Frisco steamengine was sitting on the tracks, alive,shiny, hissing and smoking, lights on,the center of attraction, ready to goabout what it was destined to do. Forthat brief moment, Newburg, MO,MP119.1 on the Frisco's EasternDivision, was itself alive again.

Doodlebugging On The Frisco

On November 1, 1908, theGulf, Texas & Western Railway wasincorporated as a wholly ownedsubsidiary line of the Frisco, operatingbetween Berwick and Whitville, TX.Stations along the line (circa. 1936)included: Berwick, Costin, Hensley,Jacksboro, Jean, Jermyn, Loving,Megargel, Mineral Wells, Olney, Perrin,Rendham, Salesville, Salesville Jct.,Seymour, Wells, Westover, &Whitville.

Ownership was officiallytransferred to the Frisco in 1930, and bythe end of1940 the last remainingseventy-five miles of the line wasabandoned between Jacksboro andSeymour.

In 1923 and 1924, three 42'Model #55 gas electric motor cars werepurchased from the J.C. Brill Companyfor service on the G.T. & W. line. No.600 was purchased in 1923, order#21749, as a Baggage-Coachcombination under AFE #3527, for$12,963.06. No.'s 601 and 651 were

purchased in 1924, under AFE #7279for $15,333.80 each, order Nos. 22122(601) and 21948 (651). Car 601 was aBaggage-Coach combination while 651was delivered as a straight Baggage-Express unit.

The all steel cars were equippedwith similar 68 HP engines: 600 aService Motor Truck Co. unit; 601 a Brillbuilt engine; 651 a Midwest EngineCorp. unit. The two Baggage-Coachcars included seating capacity for thirty-two, divided into two sections toaccommodate segregated travel. Theinteriors were finished in Mahoganyand all three units had the standardcanvas covered wood roof designs.

It is interesting to note that ourrecords indicate the cars were allpurchased in June, 1930, from a "JermynEstate." Other than possible connectionwith the town of Jermyn, TX, little elseis currently known about thistransaction. All three cars were retiredfrom service in 1938.

First public timetable listing of G.T. &line, showing Motor Car service beingprovided on trains 1-2, August, 1930

Last public timetable listing of G.T. & Wline, showing both Motor Car (1-2) andMixed Freight (24-25) service, December,1939

SLSF 600-601CLASS: MOTOR CAR

colors and would cut it in just about anydimension. I ordered black 8" x 12"sheets that cost $3.00 each and boughta 30 ft. roll of 1/8" yellow chart tape for$3.50. The plastic sheets are coveredon both sides with a peel away brownpaper covering. I laid out the trackschematic on this covering with a penciland drilled holes for switch machinetoggle switches. I recommend using adrill that is slightly larger than thediameter of the toggle switch and usinga drill hit that has a starting point orguide on it to avoid the drill slippingfrom where you want it to go. Markingeach hole position with a awl is alsovery helpful in preventing the drill frommoving on you. Taking your time andpreventing the drill from slipping onthe plastic are the two most importantparts of this project. The plastic sheetmay shatter a bit on the back side of theplastic but it should be minimal.

Once the holes are completed,I removed one side of the paper coveringand began applying the yellow charttape. It cuts easily with a hobby knifeand you may want to indicate tracksthat continue by cutting the end of thetape to resemble an arrow similar to thephotograph. I have not applied anylettering to my panels yet, but DougTaylor indicated that he used dry transferlettering and found that it adhered to theplastic quite well. He sealed his panelwith a flat finish to protect the drytransfer lettering.

Power panels can be mounted

Frisco Folk Rick McClellanshares with us an assortment ofmodeling tricks, tips, and neat things todo that are relatively simple,inexpensive, and quick, all of whichcan enhance the appearance andoperation of your layout.

Power Control PanelsGood looking power panels are

something most modelers would like toQUESTION: Can you tell me if there add to their layouts. Afterwas ever a standard paint scheme for experimenting for several years, IFrisco depots? spotted some very professional lookingANSWER: Finding a standard power panels on Doug Taylor'sanything on the Frisco is a difficult task Pennsylvania Railroad layout. Theysimply because the railroads were at the were made of black 1/8" plastic sheetsforefront of innovation and were with yellow graphics. Doug shared thatconstantly experimenting and trying he obtained the plastic from a Lenexanew things. The scope and complexity (Kansas City area) company namedof the Frisco Testing Lab bears witness Cadillac Plastic & Chemical Co.. Heto that. When it comes to depots, there used yellow chart tape and letteringwere as many as eight different standard obtained from a local art supply store.construction plans, and probably as Armed with this information, I set outmany standardized paint schemes. to make some of these nifty powerHowever, the Frisco took great pains to panels for my layout.build depots that would fit into the I found that Cadillac. Plasticcommunities they were in. (9025 Lenexa Dr., Lenexa KS 66215Consequently, a great deal of flexibility 913-888-5950) carried the 1/8" plasticwas given to modifying the standards. sheeting in a wide variety of

We cannot find anystandardized color scheme for Friscodepots currently in our archives.However, after reviewing over 370 colorphotos of Frisco stations, the schemethat emerges as the dominate style is amedium gray with white trim.

The only documentationcurrently on file concerning depot colorsis a June 14, 1915 memo which states,"It has been decided to adopt asstandard the Lazarus fireproof paintfor painting roofs when newbuildings are constructed, the shingleswill he given a two-thirds dip, color...to be green."

The MAIL CAR is afeature of the ALLABOARD in which weattempt to answer someof the many questionsthat are submitted to ourFRISCO RESEARCHSERVICE.

If you have a question aboutthe equipment, facilities, or operationof the Frisco, please send them to theRESEARCH SERVICE. All requestare answered individually and selectedquestions will appear in the MAIL CARfeature.

from the inside or outside of the fasciaof a layout. I mounted mine from theinside and against a 1" x 2" that was cutto a 75 degree angle so the panel wouldhe tilted a bit and make it easier foroperators to see.

I have seen a lot of powerpanels, some really good and some reallybad. This approach results in the bestlooking, lowest cost method I have runacross. The panels are not flashy enoughto dominate the layout but look goodenough to compliment it.

GOOD LUCK and don't forget

to Ship It On The Frisco!

SD-45 #901, Cherokee Yard, Tulsa, OK August 4, 1980 Troy Botts photo

50 YEARS - 1942 75 YEARS - 1917

ATTENTIONFRISCO MODELERS

ALL SCALES!Got a modeling trick, tip, or neat thingto do that you would be willing to sharewith our readers? If so, write or callRick:

Rick McClellan15405 W. 144th TerraceOlathe, KS 66062913-829-4509

In 1942, the passenger stationat Newburg, MO was remodeled &enlarged and the depot at Ft. Sill, OKwas enlarged.

In 1917, a new combinationpassenger station & freight depot wasconstructed at Ft. Sill, OK.

LOOKING BACKWARD is a regularfeature of the ALL ABOARD that takesa look back through our files at thepeople, equipment, facilities,operations, and events that were a partof the Frisco 25, 50, and 75 years ago.

25 YEARS - 1967

On March 1, 1967, #901, thefirst of a dozen SD-45 36000horsepower diesel locomotives wasplaced in service. By January 1970,forty-nine of the road switchers were inoperation on the Frisco. Following theFrisco/BN merger of 1980, the SD-45fleet was renumbered series 6650-6696.

Ft. Sill, OK depot with 1942 addition "under construction" Frisco photo

Ft. Sill, OK depot showing 1942 addition nearing completion H.D. Connor collection

YARD POWER PART ONE

Railroads are fascinatingthings! It would he interesting to see acompetent analysis of the reasons whyall we railfans are so enchanted withthem. For me, its easy - I like the size,the smell, the feel, the noise, the sight,the power, the engineering and the logicof impressive machines in action doinggood for society. In my eyes, all of thisattraction is concentrated mainly on thelocomotive, the machine that seems tobe the focal point of it all.

Most railfans are also attractedby locomotives, generally givingpreference to big road power. To me,however, the unheraled switching oryard locomotives command the largestpart of my railroad heart. They are onlyslightly less impressive, probablybecause they are smaller, but in myremembrance at least, were a lot morecommon. Most of the trains I rememberseeing were powered by switcher typelocomotives, and, I'm sure, for thisreason, they occupy a slightly warmerspot in my railfan heart than do F-3's, F-7's. GP-7's, FA's, SD-45's, GP-38's, etc.I'm sure this reflects my St. Louischildhood - those of you who grew uparound Dixon Hill may have a differentperspective!

For this reason, and to givesome attention to the Frisco's hardworking yard hogs, I would like tolaunch a series on SLSF's switcherlocomotives. As in the past. I'llconcentrate on the diesels, though wemay touch on their steam poweredpredecessors form time to time. Let'sstart with a discussion of Frisco's earlyEMD end-cab switchers, the NW-2's,SW-7's, and SW-9's.

The Frisco generally had goodexperience with their initial exposureto diesel power - via their Baldwin VO-660 and VO-1000 switchers, series 600-601 (60-61) and 200-237 respectively.SLSF next joined a rapidly increasingtrend by purchasing EMD switchers,Model NW-2, starting in 1948. Tenunits were purchased, series 250-259,followed in 1949 by six more, series260-265. These locomotives were thethird EMD models on the system,following the six E-7's, series 2000-2005, in 1947 and the first of the F-3's,series 5000-5017 & 5100-5117, in early1948.

The 1000 HP NW-2 switcherswere used throughout the Frisco systemand gave excellent service. Theywouldn't pull as well as the Baldwins,and their fuel consumption was belowaverage, a two-cycle engine trait, but interms of reliability, maintenance,versatility and sound design, they werehighly regarded. As the NW-2 modelevolved at EMD, it went through anumber of different "phases," generallyfelt to he five in number. The firstFrisco units, 250-259, were Phase IVmodels; the last group, 260-265, werePhase V. The differences were largelysuperficial, the most obvious one beinga step-change hood reduction right infront of the cab on the Phase IV unitsversus a straight sloped reduction onthe Phase V units.

In late 1950, along with theaddition of a bunch of other new diesels,Frisco added to their EMD switcherroster with the purchase of five SW-7units, series 300-304. In early 1952,they followed up with ten more units,this time SW-9's, series 305-314. Bothof these types, which had replaced theNW-2 in EMD's catalog, delivered 1200HP, a hefty increase over the NW-2,

and also pulled better, more like theBaldwins, while retaining all the NW-2's many other good qualities. The SW-9's (except for 314) were equipped formultiple unit operation, allowing theircombined use for hump duty and forheavy transfer runs at major terminals.

EDITOR'S NOTE: According toFrisco Folk Lee Buffington, # 314 wasnot equipped with MU controls becauseit was assigned to switching operationson the Birmingham Belt Line. Lee alsoshares that shortly after its arrival oncompany property, #314 was involvedin a grade crossing accident that caughtthe engine on fire and required it beingreturned to the factory for repairs!

All three of these popularclasses of EMD switcher locomotiveswere wise investments for the Frisco, asthey all were reliable workers and lasteduntil after the 1980 SLSF merger withthe BN. I understand the NW-2's wereretired by the BN in 1982-83. I'm notsure of the current status of the SW-7'sand the SW-9's. In any event, theselocomotives were among the mostsuccessful on the Frisco roster. Theyworked around the clock doing the"grunt" work required to assemble themain line trains and played a major rolein the Frisco scene.

We'll follow this installment ofRoster Tales with similar discussionson the Frisco's other diesel switchers -the Baldwins, ALCo's, F-M's, laterEMD's and the "Little Fellows."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Following the1980 Frisco/BN merger, the NW-2'swere renumbered series 410-425; theSW-7's renumbered 75-79; and theSW-9 fleet became series 260-269.

NW-2 #255 Springfield, MO May 31, 1948A. Johnson photo

S W- 7 #304 Springfield, MO November 2, 1948A. Johnson photo

SW-9 #312 Birmingham, ALFrisco photo

NW-2 #255 Tulsa, OK July, 1980Troy Bolts photo

SW-7#300 Kansas City, MOWayne Porter photo

SW-9 #311 Springfield, MO North YardWayne Porter photo