‘Missouri’ Sneak Peek for 3-22-13

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In a scene that could easily be the 1950s, KCS E7 #12 stops in Grandview with the southbound Southern Belle in August of 1969. When inaugurated in the 1940s, 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, 2 coaches and an observation-diner. Passengers are boarding the second coach as a 50s-era car waits for the train to clear. (Allen Maty)

This selection from “Rails Around Missouri” can be found in “Chapter 4 – The Kansas City Southern.” “Rails Around Missouri” will be released May 1, 2013 as a 224-page, hard-cover book filled with over 500 all-color images like this one. Your copy can be reserved today at the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. All copies will come signed by the author, and will ship the week of May 1. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover. (Contents identical)

 

 

‘Missouri’ Sneak Peek for 3-15-13

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Orchard Farm is our next stop on the CB&Q’s Keokuk – St Louis “K” line, 16 miles from West Alton. Orchard Farm is a small community, at the time hosting an elevator and a depot, each with its own siding. CB&Q U25B # 103 is on the point of another westbound freight as it rolls through Orchard Farm in September 1969. Though still a small, rural town, this scene is dramatically different today in keeping with the growth of St Charles county. (Mike Haper, photo; Jan Kohl collection)

This selection from “Rails Around Missouri” can be found in Chapter One: North Central Missouri. “Rails Around Missouri” will be released on May 1, 2013 as a 224-page, hard cover book with over 500 all-color photos like this one. You can reserve your copy today at the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover. (Contents identical) Books will ship the week of May 1.

 

 

‘Missouri’ Sneak Peek for 3-8-13

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Springfield was home to the Frisco’s largest shops in both the days of steam and diesel. Heavy locomotive repairs and rebuilds were performed here since 1909. Constructed in 1948, the diesel shop served the Frisco and its successors until 1996, when it was closed by BNSF. Demolished in 2006, the shops are seen on June 11, 1980. (Terry Norton, photo; Chris Guss collection)

This week’s preview selection of “Rails Around Missouri” is from Chapter Eight – Southwest Missouri. “Rails Around Missouri” is a new 224-page hard-cover book with over 500 all-color photos like this one. The book will be release May 1, 2013, and your copy can be reserved for the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover. (Contents identical.)

 

 

‘Missouri’ Sneak Peek for 3-1-13

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Next door to Murray yard in North Kansas City was Wabash’s Avondale yard. Being the western-most point on the Wabash system, the yard in North KC was busy and active, receiving traffic from St Louis, Chicago & Detroit. The yard featured a large roundhouse and locomotive servicnig facilities, which became property of the Norfolk & Western in 1964. On October 19, 1968, no Wabash heritage can be found as a high-hood N&W U28B and three N&W RS3s idle in front of the roundhouse. (Bill Gibson)

This selection from “Rails Around Missouri” comes from Chapter Three: Kansas City & Surrounding Area. “Rails Around Missouri” is a new 224-page, hard-cover book filled with over 500 all-color photos like this one, and will be released on May 1, 2013. You can reserve your copy today at the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover (inside contents are the same). Books will come autographed by the suthor and will ship the week of May 1.

 

‘Missouri’ Sneak peek for 2-22-13

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As mentioned earlier, the MKT St Louis sub was built in the northern flood plains of the Missouri River. In some places the line was very close to the river, such as this scene near Rocheport. Taken from the bluff above the rails, train #14 snakes its way along the river bluffs led by GP40 # 188 in October 1970. We turn to catch the caboose bringing up the rear, and a picturesque view of the river valley as the train makes for St Louis. (Terry Norton, photo; Chris Guss collection)

This selection from “Rails Around Missouri” is from Chapter One: North Central Missouri. “Rails Around Missouri” is a 224-page, hard cover book with over 500 all-color photos like this one, and will be released May 1, 2013. Your copy can be reserved at the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover. (Books are identical inside). The “turn to catch the caboose” photo mentioned above completes the 2 page paired spread with the photo above, which can be found on pages 28-29.