Photo of the Week – May 15, 2017 – Atchison, KS

[Ted Ferkenhoff]

We are launching Photo of the Week with what I hope is probably an easy location to identify, given such a large structural feature.
If you can identify the location, please post. We are also interested in any other details such as direction/orientation (north, south…), probable date/year, and any personal anecdotes related to the photo.

[attachment=0:fguyvove]Box-13 Row-2-085.jpg[/attachment:fguyvove]

[Webmaster]

That is Atchison, KS looking east from the 14th St. overpass. Timetable direction for this territory was/is north/south. So, the GP15-1 switching the yard is headed north by timetable. The cut with the light blue covered hopper is sitting on the Santa Fe main. The track to the immediate left is the MP main. Note the two dwarf (pot) signals on this track. The MP office building is at the end of the bridge, to the photographer’s left. If you look over the top of the boxcars on the third track to the right of the Santa Fe main, you will see the ATSF freight house. It is a two-story rock structure which is now home to the Atchison Museum. The large elevator complex with the Pillsbury sign is no longer in existence.

[anonymous]

Well I think that filled in a few of the blanks! Thanks for the new “feature” and for the quick response!
Brian Frierdich
Dupo, Il

[Webmaster]

Anyone have a suggestion for the date? I could guess and come fairly close, but I thought someone else might have some clues that would really nail it.

[Webmaster]

For the record, I worked in and through Atchison from 19992 through 2008. Also, my caboose, MP 13569, came from the museum in Atchison. Having worked there, I felt compelled to provide some details on this photo.

Obviously, there was quite a bit of railroad business when this photo was taken. My guess would be that this photo was taken in one of the warmer months of 1977 or 1978. In addition to the MP engine doing some switching, there must be an ATSF job, probably a local doing some work. From the looks of things, the engine is under or behind the photographer.

If anyone has any further input, please, feel free to post it here. That’s what this forum is for.

[Author]

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