GP40 series would be fine with me, too. Didn't the real SSW have some very late production GP40-2s with angled blower duct? I really like the way those looked. I planned on modeling somewhere around 1985.
That would be a great train to model, as I do like tank cars.
Dakota
DDavidsonFarms ...but as of now, I was thinking of making some custom "Blue Streak Fast Freight" decals for a few SD40-2s (since the independent SSW probably wouldn't own tunnel motors).....sort of the way Chicago & Northwestern did with that "Falcon Service" SD40-2.
...but as of now, I was thinking of making some custom "Blue Streak Fast Freight" decals for a few SD40-2s (since the independent SSW probably wouldn't own tunnel motors).....sort of the way Chicago & Northwestern did with that "Falcon Service" SD40-2.
IF you are doing an independent SSW, you might want to rethink your motive power purchases. After about WW II, the real SSW bought power as directed by the SP, not to meet its own needs.
The BSM would have operated very nicely with GP 40's, same HP and less weight than the SDs. Probably pooled to San Antonio or next 500 mile inspection point west of Corsicanna.
Trains to and from Shreveport interchange could well have used SDs, pooled with SP power between Pine Bluff and Houston due to the awful profile of the SP's former HEWT line, aka 'The Rabbit'. In the era you are talking about those trains out of Houston, particularly the SRASK, generally had 5 loads of plastic pellets behind the power, and another five ahead of the caboose with almost everything else being hazardous materials, including some really nasty ones I will not name. A great train to model if you have a tank car fetish.
Mac
I have heard bits and pieces about the Blue Streak, but not enough to really be knowledgeable on it. But someone on another forum recommended a book called Blue Streak Merchandise by Fred Frailey(?), so I intend to get a copy and dive into it.
I do know enough about it to know I'll need to do a good representation of it on a layout. I'll probably know know more about what to do when I've read the book, but as of now, I was thinking of making some custom "Blue Streak Fast Freight" decals for a few SD40-2s (since the independent SSW probably wouldn't own tunnel motors).....sort of the way Chicago & Northwestern did with that "Falcon Service" SD40-2.
RME DDavidsonFarms I didn't realize Corsicana was one of the major SP interchanges, so this will work out really well with what I was wanting to accomplish. You mean to tell me you're unfamiliar with the Blue Streak Merchandise??? You have a treat in store. Next to the Super C the BSM may be the most famous hot freight train in history -- rightly so! From a quote in Trainorders: One of my favorite railroad memories was trying to chase a BSMFF. It had 5 tunnel motors. I had a hard time trying to keep up with it. I can remember the engineer waving bye bye to me as he kicked it into [eighth] notch. I never saw it again. Now that was railroading.
DDavidsonFarms I didn't realize Corsicana was one of the major SP interchanges, so this will work out really well with what I was wanting to accomplish.
You mean to tell me you're unfamiliar with the Blue Streak Merchandise???
You have a treat in store. Next to the Super C the BSM may be the most famous hot freight train in history -- rightly so!
From a quote in Trainorders:
One of my favorite railroad memories was trying to chase a BSMFF. It had 5 tunnel motors. I had a hard time trying to keep up with it. I can remember the engineer waving bye bye to me as he kicked it into [eighth] notch. I never saw it again. Now that was railroading.
It's purpose, in 1931, was to attract freight (LCL and Express) traffic along points in Missouri and Arkansas. The point was, that it was an adjunct to the SSW's Truck Line [Southwestern Transportation] and offered a speedy express service South of St. Louis. and final distribution by S.W. Trans. trucks].
The Later section was originated in Memphis ( Sou. Pacific ownership) to Pine Pluff and on to the West Coast.
It was 'handled' all the way across to California. There are stories about 'rolling crew changes'; ' enroute additions and drop-offs', when it was the only thing getting attention in Yards along its route. THe BSM(FF) was one of those ledgendary trains that 'failures to preform' by tainmasters, would cause heads to roll, as well. Like the 'Super C's on the Santa Fe, as well. They were truly the Hottest trains rolling on their systems; and schedules made, were schedules to be kept!
I do not know how long the Cotton Belt's merchandise train lasted, but it certainly was longer than the Santa Fe's did. I became aware of it in 1951, when the father-in-law of one of my uncles gave me a Cotton Belt pencil which advertised the train.
Did the Cotton Belt charge more for freight carried on the Blue Streak?
Changing times, different routes.
Johnny
DDavidsonFarmsI didn't realize Corsicana was one of the major SP interchanges, so this will work out really well with what I was wanting to accomplish.
Thanks guys, I knew this was the place to go. The info is greatly appreciated, as I've really been trying to dig deep into this project and have something that is largely based on reality AND still have a sense of plausibility on the aspects I am taking my liberty with.
I was leaning toward modeling somewhere in north-central Texas.....I wanted a fictional small town, but on one of the routes near the Waco area. I didn't realize Corsicana was one of the major SP interchanges, so this will work out really well with what I was wanting to accomplish. Many thanks!
Jeff,
I think you are correct that a big part using the SSW corporate identity was the requirement that SP solicit preferentially via Ogden which itself was a condition the ICC imposed in the UP/SP unmerger ca. 1920. That requirement did not apply to the SSW.
jeffhergert Wasn't part of the reason the SP used the SSW for purchasing the Golden State Route plus KC to St. Louis due to SP being required (at that time) to solicit traffic via Ogden and the UP? Something SSW was not obligated to do. I remember reading something like that in Trains many years ago. (The issue about whatever happened to the Rock about 1982 or 83.) . . . [snipped - PDN] Jeff
Jeff
- Paul North.
blue streak 1 Didn't both Cotton Belt (SSW)and Texas and New Orleans RRs (TNO) as SP subsiditaries have to be chartered in Texas by Texas law ? Wasn't all RR tracks in Texas owned by a Texas corporation ? In the past not the only state.
Didn't both Cotton Belt (SSW)and Texas and New Orleans RRs (TNO) as SP subsiditaries have to be chartered in Texas by Texas law ? Wasn't all RR tracks in Texas owned by a Texas corporation ? In the past not the only state.
After trying for more than a century, the Southern Pacific railroad finally has been able to establish a direct track line from the West Coast into Chicago.
Southern Pacific Lines said Tuesday it has obtained the necessary authorization from the Interstate Commerce Commission to extend its service east from Kansas City to Chicago, enabling the firm to offer direct service for the first time between Chicago and California...........
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-10-03/business/9003220483_1_southern-pacific-lines-icc-approval-chicago-route
Wasn't part of the reason the SP used the SSW for purchasing the Golden State Route plus KC to St. Louis due to SP being required (at that time) to solicit traffic via Ogden and the UP? Something SSW was not obligated to do. I remember reading something like that in Trains many years ago. (The issue about whatever happened to the Rock about 1982 or 83.)
Also mentioned in that article as I recall, was that SSW and the RI used the same rule book. Not that it would be a major consideration, but would be hardly any problem qualifying operating people on rules of the new company.
Your research is correct in that the purchase of the Golden State route by the SSW was to further SP's interest. There was some legal/regulatory reason to do it in the name of the SP. Perhaps it was that SSW could qualify for the major loan required to rehab the line but SP could not. My recollection was it was a govt loan and SP was too rich or too poor, but this is a very vague memory and should not be relied on. SP annual reports of the era discussed the transaction.
If SSW was independent, the SP interchange at Corsicanna would have been a crucial piece of business, as it was as a subsidiary. I doubt SSW would have purchased the Choctaw Route, just more cost, and may have changed the revenue division unfavorably. SSW would have bought line into Memphis, as they did in fact.
If SP got the Golden State, that would have been a threat to SSW traffic over Corsicanna. I suspect SSW might have bid for GS. SP would probably have out bid SSW but ICC might have allowed SSW purchase anyway. Who knows? Not me.
Another alternative history is that the desires of UP and ATSF came true and the Golden State became a bike trail. Put $100 million into the SSW and watch the tide of traffic roll!
Hi, this is my first post on the forum. I'm a fan of the St. Louis Southwestern, a.k.a. Cotton Belt Route. I've sort of grown up with it as a part of my roots, as there's lots of remnants of the old SSW all around my area (bridges, depots, etc.). I'm also into model railroading as a hobby and I've decided to model the Cotton Belt, but with a fictional twist, as if it was never under control or ownership of the Southern Pacific.
My question is this: had the SSW been an independent railroad, do you folks think it would've purchased the Golden State route? Just from my research, I feel that this was mainly a move for the SP to have a more direct transcon connection to the Midwest. Is this an accurate assumption? Could the Cotton Belt have purchased maybe the Rock Island's Choctaw Route instead if the SP hadn't been calling the shots? Or maybe they would've just stuck to their core system?
I know this is all just speculation, but I knew this would be the place to ask. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and will be helpful for my fictional as well as prototype research. Thanks!
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