Is there anyone here that model this region, specifically the Coffeyville branch? I have an interest in that area based on many visits to see relatives I made during the 70's and have become interested in potentially modeling that era and area now. I realize the SF is long gone to that area and many things have changed. That is why I am curious to know if anyone has any period pics of the region. Could be anywhere from Chanute on down to Cherryvale, Independence and Coffeyville.
Thanks guys
I live in the area about 10 miles west of Coffeyville. What do you need to know? The trackage hadn't changed much since then. The only way it has been affected is in Northeast Oklahoma when they needed to move the tracks to make room for Copan Lake. I have been trying to find pictures of this area in the time period you specified. In Coffeyville, there was Missouri Pacific and Santa Fe. The same in Independence. I am not sure in Chanute or Cherryvale.
There is a club in Cherryvale that used to model the Cherryvale area. I am not sure what era. Sadly, they had to move and got flooded out of their present location. I believe they are back up and running. You can do a search on MR's website and find their contact information. They should be more helpful than I can be since era your asking about was before my time.
Will
Forgot to mention that most of the frieght probably would have been mostly grain and whatever could fit in boxcars. There may have been some reefers come through. Don't forget passenger service. Santa Fe had two named passenger trains, The Tulsan and The Oil Flyer. They both went from Tulsa with many station stops including Caney, Independence, Cherryvale and terminated at Kansas City. The Tulsan was an all chair car train, while The Oil Flyer was an all Pullman Sleeping Car train.
There was some coal mining in the sixties, but it was way east of Coffeyville and was probably sent east.
Will wrote: ". . . the Oil Flyer was an all Pullman sleeping car train"
Sorry, but not so. Santa Fe trains 47 & 48, the Oil Flyer, always had coaches or chair cars in their consists and usually only one Pullman, going back to their inauguration in 1940. The sleeping car service was discontinued in 1965, although the train contined to run until 1968. See A Quarter Century of Santa Fe Consists, by Fred W. Frailey, available on CD-ROM from the Santa Fe Ry. Historical & Modeling Society at atsfrr.net.
So long,
Andy
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
Andy, thanks for the correction. My apologies.
I forgot to mention an industry that is still going strong in Coffeyville. There is refinery that has been there since 1906. It has a bunch of tank cars around almost all of the time.
Will, Thanks for the reply. Wasn't the grain silo a COOP run industry back then. I found a little info on a couple of ATSF historical sites and actually the track plans for Chanute, Cherryvale, Ind etc, but not coffeyville. Maybe next time I get in town to visit the relatives I can take some photos of the track layout. I guess I was thinking that a neat switching layout down my garage walls could be made representing the industry in the area and at the same time give me the opportunity to pay some sentimental tribute to the whole thing.
I saw the refinery on Sat when I was there as well as Coffeyville power and light which was very interesting with the cool red brick and huge sign on top. Man that area took a hit from the flood, this was my first time back since about 2004-5.
Some of the rail spurs are gone, like the old north south trackage that used to serve the page milk and roadway wharehouse between 4th and 11th street and I don't know about the tracks out to the paint plant. I noticed one of the girder bridges over 11th street still has its old santa fe logo on it.
Yea I saw about the club, that sucks, looks like they got kicked out of the depot a few weeks before the flood, man that is just the worst of luck!!!
ogaugeWasn't the grain silo a COOP run industry back then
I believe that was COOP. Here is a link that shows several pics of grain elevators in Kansas. This has proven useful more than once.
http://bnsf.com/markets/agricultural/elevator/menu/kslist.html
I know what you mean about the floods. I helped volunteer some of the cleanup. It was quite devastating. At the Coffeyville Air Muesum, there are several pictures of the city that might show some industries. I don't remember any trackage shown. You might want to contact the Coffeyville Historical Society. They may have some important information or they might know someone who is more knowledgeable about the railroads.