Hello, I'm looking for a locomotive assignment sheet for the CB&Q sometime between 1945-1953; I'm specifically trying to find which steam locomotives (O5 4-8-4s in particular) came through Kansas City. I've seen mentions of these assignment sheets circling in various corners of the internet, but can't seem to pinpoint the actual documents.
I'm currently stuck at home quarantining per the doctor's orders, so I can't search the local RR library, unfortunately. Would anyone happen to know that info off the top of their heads, or know where I can access CB&Q locomotive assignments? Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
Do you belong to the Burlington Route Historical Society? That would be the first place I'd go to for info like this. The times I have run into old railroad motive power assignment sheets at railroadiana shows/swap meets have been pure happenstance. They are not the most common.
If assignment sheets don't seem to be available, sometimes employee timetables contain hints of information about locomotive assignments, because certain locomotives are referred to in limitations about speed on certain grades, or certain tracks which they are too heavy for.
Picture books such as the Morning Sun color series can also help get an understanding of what locomotives were seen where, assuming they have good captions. Your desired era is a bit on the early side for Morning Sun color. Again I wonder if the Historical Society's magazine has had issues that focus on Kansas City and surroundings. Their 1994 annual meet was in Kansas City MO and their 2007 meet was in Kansas City Kansas. I suspect one or more issues of their magazine featured the host city at that time.
Dave Nelson
The historical society has them and other information, although it requires a membership. So that's under consideration.
Luckily though, my quarantine has ended so I went to the train library. Sure enough, I was able to find what I was looking for!