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After further thought, it seems somewhat unlikely that Texas & Pacific would purchase service plates with Missouri Pacific Lines featured prominently on the front. Even though it was somewhat of a corporate charade, T&P always tried to function with a considerable degree of independence. Usage of the “Texas” service plates on the I-GN is certainly plausible, but it would be helpful to find some T&P dining car interior photos or mention in the T&P employee magazine to actually confirm usage on the T&P.
That said, the predecessor to the steam plate, which was the Sunshine Special service plate, did prominently mention the three roads involved, namely StLIM&S, I&GN and T&P, and it seems likely that these earlier plates were indeed in service on the Sunshine Special from end to end. By the time the steam service plates were first purchased in 1929, perhaps “Missouri Pacific Lines” was seen as all encompassing – including even the T&P, at least for this purpose.
Does anyone have any documentation to either confirm or refute the Texas version of the steam service plate usage on the T&P?
Bill Pollard
