TBT – Rock Island style

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Owensville Rock Island 1205 local 10-20-75 Dalman

While trains 73  & 74 were the only scheduled through freights across the St Louis line, the Rock Island did operate locals in each direction our of Eldon. On the est end, these locals served customers at Union, Owensville, Belle, Meta and Freeburg. GP7 #1205 has a 21-car westbound local in tow near Owensville on October 20, 1975. (Paul Dalman photo)

This excerpt from Rails Around Missouri can be found in Chapter 7, page 178. Rails Around Missouri is a hardcover, 224-page book filled with over 500 all-color photos of the railroads of Missouri from 1946-1985, with history and maps going back to the 1800s. Sold out in early 2014, Rails Around Missouri is back in hard-cover print, due for re-release by December 1, 2015. Order your copy below, and it will come signed by the author, in time for Christmas. Postal, email and dealer orders can be placed with the publisher, Britegraphics, of Pittsburg KS. Contact Don Banwart, donald@sekan.com for more info on those options.

My price is $54.95 plus $8 shipping.

Throwback Thursday – KCS style

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Grandview KCS 27a 8-69 Maty

Grandview KCS #1 obs 8-69 Maty

The northbound KCS Southern Belle, train #2 calls on Grandview in August 1969, led by E8 #27. When inaugurated in 1940, the Southern Belle operated with sleepers, a diner-lounge and chair cars, and made the KC-New Orleans trek in just over 21 hours. By 1969, its last year of operation, the Belle is down to a baggage, two coaches and an observation-diner, which brings up the rear as #2 heads north for Kansas City. (Both – Allen Maty)

The above is an excerpt from Rails Around Missouri, Chapter 4, page 88. The first hard cover production run of this book in 2013 sold out in 12 months, but a second print run is currently underway, and will be available by Thanksgiving 2015. You can order your copy today with the link below, and your copy will come signed by the author. Our price is $54.95 plus $8 shipping.

Dealer and postal mail orders are also available. Contact the publisher directly for more info: donald@sekan.com

Frisco Friday from Rails Around Missouri

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As we re-launch the production of Rails Around Missouri with a reprint of the original book, below is an excerpt from Chapter 7 – Central Missouri, and a look at the Frisco’s Salem branch.

At Cuba, milepost 86, a branch was built to the lead mining areas to the south of the mainline. Known as the Salem branch, this branch split at Lead Jct., with one line going to Buick, and another to Salem. A pair of Frisco GP38s lead a Salem branch train over the Meramec River near Steelville on October 11, 1980. (Terry Norton, photo; Chris Guss collection)

Steeleville SLSF 455 N of 10-11-80 T Norton-Guss

Your copy of this 2nd Edition is available with the link below, and will come signed by the author. Delivery will be in time for Christmas 2015.

 

Rails Around Missouri to be reprinted!!

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RAILS AROUND MISSOURI IS HEADED BACK TO PRINT IN HARD COVER! In an agreement with Britegraphix of Ft Scott, Kansas, a second hard-cover run of Rails Around Missouri will be available by Thanksgiving 2015! At the publisher’s request, the book will feature a new cover, but will have the exact same look, feel, and content of the 2013 production run. Retailing for $59.95, the book contains over 500 all-color photos from every part of the state, featuring lines and locations that no longer exist. If you missed out in 2013, don’t miss out now! Books should begin shipping around Thanksgiving 2015, just in time for Christmas.

The book can be ordered in several ways:

1- using the link below, your copy will come signed by the author

2- either by phone or postal mail from the publisher: Britegraphix, PO Box 631, Ft Scott, KS 66701, phone 620 664-7014

3- inquire at your local hobby shop. Many in Missouri carried the book in 2013.

4- at train shows attended by SEK Hobbies. If the show is in KC or STL, the author may be on hand to sign copies. Stay tuned here for those dates.

As FYI – a true sequel is being considered. If you have pre-1980 material, especially pre-Amtrak passenger action, please contact me!

atsf101@hotmail.com