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Given 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.