FA-1 5218 and GP7 547 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in December 1960 (Al Chione).
FA-1 5217 on a freight at Cherokee, Kansas on October 14, 1962 (Al Chione).
FA-1 5217 at Bridge Junction, MP C481.4 (date unknown).
This image depicts a northbound freight at Bridge Junction, MP C481.4, as it prepares to cross the A&MRyB&T (Rock Island, Iron Mountain, and Cotton Belt) crossing. In the background, the double track and a signal bridge of the A&MRyB&T can be seen. One can also see the A&MRyB&T pole line as it gains height to pass over the Frisco’s Memphis Sub. The interchange can be seen in the foreground. The Harahan and the Frisco bridges are visible in the hazy background on the right.
The photo’s low angle does not give a good view of 5217’s roof line, which would help determine if the 5217 has received an EMD prime mover.
Special thanks to Karl Brand.
FA-1 5208 at Memphis, Tennessee (date unknown) (Charley’s Slides).
The train is southbound on the Memphis Subdivision. The locomotives have just crossed over the Illinois Central (IC) at mile post 483.8 (MP 483.8). This crossing is just South of Memphis Central Station owned by the IC and host to passenger trains of the Frisco and Rock Island.
At this point the train is on “Broadway”. “Broadway” is a 2.8 mile East/West corridor of multiple tracks for various railroads extending from the two railroad river crossing bridges (Frisco and Harahan) east to KC Junction.
KC Junction lies between Interstate Highway 69 (I-69) to the West and South Waldran Boulevard to the East. At KC Junction the eastern railroads (Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis (NC&SL)–Louisville and Nashville (L&N), Southern (Sou), Union Railway (URY)/Missouri Pacific (MOP)) diverge to their individual routes and yards to the Northeast, East and the Frisco to the Southeast.
In the distance to the right of the nose of FA-1 5208 one can see the three parallel, through truss, major bridges crossing the Mississippi River. On the North (upstream) side is the Harahan Bridge (CRIP, MoP, SSW). It has double tracks, is 4,972 feet long and was opened on July 14, 1916. On the South side is the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge (“old highway” bridge). This is the most southern of the three bridges, is four vehicle lanes wide, 5,222 feet long and was opened on December 17, 1949.
Sandwiched in the middle between these is the Frisco Bridge. It has one track, is 4,887 feet long and opened May 12, 1892. When completed by the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis (KCFS&M) Railway it was the first bridge crossing of the Mississippi River at Memphis.
To the left of the train, near the second and fourth locomotives, are the backs of ground level triangular dwarf signals. Above each is a small round cast metal sign, when viewed facing the signal front, with the letter “A”. The “A” designates these as Absolute “stop” signals. Leading wheels must not pass the signal unless a proceed indication is received or authority is granted by the dispatcher or operator.
The view is looking Northeast.
Special thanks to Mark Davidson.
FA-1 5231 and F7A 5023 lead a freight train at Kansas City, Kansas in June 1961 (Al Chione).
FA-1 5217 leads a freight train at Kansas City, Kansas on May 15, 1963 (Al Chione).
FA-1 5222 at Springfield, Missouri in October 1961.
FA-1 5203 at St. Louis, Missouri in July 1962 (Fred Byerly Blackhawk Films).
FA-1m 5217 and F7B 5135 lead three other units leaving Oklahoma City East Yard going over the North Canadian river in December 1960.
FA-1m 5217 has been repowered by EMD. Note the two exhaust stacks on the roof and EMD builder’s plate above the Alco builder’s plate to the left of the cab handrails.
F7B 5135 is followed by an unidentified number F3B and two F3A units.
This view is looking down river to the northeast. The train is westbound on the Chickasha Subdivision. The overhead bridge in the distance is South Lincoln Avenue. It spans the North Canadian River and the extreme west end of the Frisco’s East Yard.
Special thanks to Mark Davidson.
Texaco Dieseltex HD advertisement featuring Frisco content from February 1950 in Railway Mechanical and Electrical Engineer.
