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June 3, 2018 at 1:14 pm #6109Dennis FairclothParticipant
The other thread about the Aurora depot and signs reminded me of this Steve McVey slide taken on November 12, 1970. The view is looking east from I believe McNatt Ave, a westbound Frisco local and a northbound MP train, guessing train SMU given the Southern power.
June 4, 2018 at 8:42 pm #8807clemmie_doris12ParticipantGiven the date of this photo, there are several points worthy of discussion.
I don’t think the UMS and SMU existed that early. They certainly didn’t use those train IDs if there was a similar type schedule. It’s a pretty safe bet that this was run-thru power out of Memphis, but I am not certain of train schedules and run-thru agreements for that period.
Another interesting fact is that this is prior to the trackage rights agreement with the Frisco from Aurora to Springfield. The line was still in place from Crane to Springfield. Does anyone know when the first MP train used the Frisco between Aurora and Springfield? I just wondered if there was a “test” period prior to the actual agreement.
Looking at the photo, I would speculate that the head end of the MP train is a setout for Carthage. That looks like Atlas and Joplin cars in the first five or six. It’s also interesting to see an engine in the old Frisco black and yellow.
June 4, 2018 at 11:11 pm #8809Dennis FairclothParticipantThose are certainly good observations Kevin. Here is some additional info….
You are correct that the “UMS” and “SMU” symbols were not being regularly used in 1970….those trains were 201 (south) and 202 (north). Interestingly enough, the 9/1970 Circular 61 freight schedules for this pair of trains shows “201 (UMS)” and “202 (SMU)” on the schedule titles, so at least from a service planning perspective, the UMS and SMU symbols existed as far back as 1970.
These schedules also note “This train is operated in conjunction with Southern and Union Pacific with locomotives operating via all three carriers.” So at this time, there was a locomotive run-through agreement in place.
When the MP converted to a mostly all-letter symbol system in 1974, the run through agreement with UP and Southern was not in effect, and so the UMS/SMU symbols did not show up until 2-15-1978, when run through schedules were re-established.
You have a good eye for freight cars….the 1970 schedule for #202 shows it picking up a block of cars at Memphis destined “Crane-Carthage, MO”, to be set out at AA Siding. (You will have to remind me what AA Siding was renamed.)
As to the MP local operating over the Frisco between Aurora and Springfield, the first run was June 4, 1972, using GP7s 211 & 213. This is based upon notes from Steve McVey.
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