Franklin, at milepost 189, was the site of a large yard and trainmaster’s office. The yard facilities included a roundhouse, back shop, water treatment plant, car department, scales, and diesel servicing. Leon Sapp was the MKT Trainmaster for this division around 1970, and according to Leon, the yard here was large but underutilized. Rail was 60-70 pounds, and by September 1970, was being cannibalized in places for use on the Moberly branch, which had very light rail. Extra 229 North is rolling past the weed-choked yard, headed for St Louis. (Leon Sapp-photo)

The above is an excerpt from Rails Around Missouri, Chapter One, page 30. Rails Around Missouri is currently in its second hard cover print run, and is due out by Thanksgiving 2015. You can order your copy via the link below, and your copy will come signed by the author, and in time for Christmas! Postal or dealer orders are also an option directly from the printer. Contact Don Banwart, donald@sekan.com or call 620 664-7014.

The book is packed with over 500 all-color images from between 1946 – 1986, and from every corner of the state. Our online price is $54.95 plus $8 shipping. If it is a gift, please email me after your order to make sure I have that info: atsf101@hotmail.com