Frisco in Fort Worth Part 2 Frisco Frisco ( Continued on Page 5...)

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1 STAR The Texas Western w w w. t w m r c. o r g February 2010 May Facebook Likes for our club Western Model Railroad Club In This Issue Frisco in Ft.W II...1, 5, 8,9 President s Bus. Car CAO s Baggage Car...3 May Business Meeting...3 LSR Div. 1 Meeting...4 The Train Schedule...6 COO s Coal Car...7 May Birthdays...10 Have a Suggestion Or a Story Idea? Contact: The STAR Editor at, galvinart@att.net LIKE US on Face Texas Western Model Railroad Club!!! Frisco in Fort Worth Part 2 The purpose of this series of articles is to describe Frisco activities in Fort Worth in the late 1950 s and early 1960 s. The series will include articles about Frisco freight operations including switching boundaries, customers, interchanges, freight forwarding, industrial districts, yards, team tracks, warehouses, grain elevators, freight house, etc. This month we ll take a look at the Frisco freight yards (Main Yard, aka West Yard and 8th Street Yard], City Yard, and North Fort Worth Yard) and their respective capacities, trains, switch engines, and schedules. Article By Mike Corley ( Continued on Page 5...) #modeltrains #texaswesternmodelrrclub

2 2 May 2017 The STAR From The Business Car I want to brag on all the work that has been done on the layout in the past month. Upper level mainline has been laid on roadbed, drops wired, and we are ready to have the command stations, boosters, PM-42 units, and AR1 units installed. We are going to be running trains VERY soon! The usual suspects should be given thanks for getting this all done: Jerry Fussell, Mike Galligan, Clarence Zink, Jay Waters, Chris Johnson, and I hope I didn t miss anyone; if I did please let me know. Be sure to tell these guys thank you for all their hard work on your next visit to your train club. show visitors around and explain what we are doing, and what we are going to do in the future. Until we get some scenery and structures on the layout it is hard for visitors to recognize the level of craftsmanship that our members can create, so please give them one of the old calendars for them to take with them. Also, be sure to introduce yourself to all our visitors and let them know we are pleased that they dropped by and explain that we are looking for new members that wish to build, learn, and be a part of something very special. Take a moment to talk with Prospective Members and find out what they enjoy doing; see if you can get them The STAR is published by The Texas Western Model Railroad Club & The Texas Western Railroad Association, A 501c Non- Profit Organization. Visit our web site: Executive Board Darrell Cowles Chief Executive Officer ceo@twmrc.org Clarence Zink Chief Operations Officer coo@twmrc.org Dick Mucker Chief Financial Officer cfo@twmrc.org Mike Mackey Chief Development Officer cdo@twmrc.org Jay Waters Chief Administration Officer cao@twmrc.org We are starting to see more visitors to the club and an increase in applications for membership. Something we have prayed (literally) for in the past. Please take time to involved with laying track or helping the TWMRC Electrical Department. Be sure they have a copy of our Standards and Practices that Clarence published recently so they know how we do what we do here at the club. Help them to feel welcome in their new club home. LIKE US on Facebook, Texas Western Model Railroad Club Follow Us on Instagram: #texaswesternmodelrrclub

3 3 May 2017 The STAR ( Continued from page 2, ) Again, we have members that step up and supply items that are needed for the club. Most recently Clarence, Jay, and others have purchased and donated the AR1 units we need for reversing polarity on the layout. Jerry has also donated track and switches. Thank you all. Think SAFETY! We must remember that others are working around us and may or may not see our tools, extension cords, step stools, etc. lying about when they walk by. Please keep these items out of the main isles, and use the power The CAO s Baggage Car I can t believe it s already May. The Texas wildflowers are in bloom and the spring storm season has begun. Take a close look around at the scenery as you drive through anywhere. This is the time of year that we are modeling. Take note of the fact that some trees are fully leafed out and some are still in the bud stage. The daffodils are blooming but not the zinnias. If we re going to accurately model our layout we must be cognizant of the little things. Darrell s planned thunderstorm above the saw mill will be right on track is that a funnel cloud forming back there? Our comrade Gary Cox was going to prepare our layout standards color/material board. With his May Business Meeting Thurs. May 7 PM at The Clubhouse outlets on the front of the layout whenever possible to limit trip hazards. Don t let one of your friends get hurt because you were lax on safety. See you at your club! Darrell Cowles untimely exit, we need someone else to volunteer for this task. Any takers? I m willing to assist in this endeavor but my current schedule of commuting to San Diego every week does not leave me the time (or energy) to handle this task on my own. I m excited with the impending completion of the layout s track and basic wiring efforts. I know that very soon we ll walk in the door to the sound of trains circling the layout. What a beautiful sound that will be!!! I m looking forward to seeing the scenery begin to go down so I can learn some new skills. These are exciting times at the Texas Western Model Railroad Club. Jay H2O s

4 4 February May The The STAR STAR The Texas Western Is Hosting The NMRA LSR Cowcather Division 1 May Meeting Saturday, May 13, am - 12:30 pm Meet the New Board Lead by Director Mike Mackey Program: Ken Fitzgerald, Official Photographer TX Region for BNSF & Union Pacific

5 5 May 2017 The STAR ( Continued from Page 1... Frisco in Fort Worth, Part 2 Fort Worth Main Yard The Fort Worth main yard had several nicknames over the years including Main Yard, West Yard, and 8th Street Yard. I ll use West Yard in describing its activities. The West Yard was located at th Avenue, (see red arrow in figure 2.1 West Yard) The yard was a flat yard with a capacity of around 600 cars. All switching operations of the Frisco in Fort Worth were done at or controlled from this yard. The West Yard s switching district ran from 600 East Central Avenue in North Fort Worth to Biddison Street in South Fort Worth, a distance of approximately 6 miles. ( Continued on Page 8...)

6 6 May 2017 The STAR THE TRAIN SCHEDULE Upcoming Meetings, Events, Shows & Clinics MAY th - May Business 7p, will he The Clubhouse, Thursday. 5TH- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARRELL COWLES 6th - Work Day, 3p - 9p, Saturday 11th - Work Night, 7p - 9:30p, Thursday 13th - LSR Cowcatcher Division 1 Meeting, 10 am - 12:30 pm, at the Texas Western Clubhouse, Saturday, Program: Ken Fitzgerald Photographer for BNSF & Union Pacific 13th - Work Day, 3p - 9p, Saturday 16TH- HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM HAYS 18th - Work Night, 7p - 9:30p, Thursday 20th - Work Day, 3p - 9p, Saturday 23RD- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB HUNT 25th - Work Night, 7p - 9:30p, Thursday 27th- Work Day, 3p - 9p, Saturday JUNE st - June Business Meeting, 7p, will he The clubhouse, Thursday 7th - 11th - Lone Star Region N.M.R.A. Super Regional Convention, Bayou City Ltd., Westchase Hilton, 9999 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TWMRC CLUB TRIP to Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad September 14-17, 2017 Amarillo RR Museum visit Cumbres & Toltec train ride Contact: Jay Waters if interested in attending 2017 Texas Western Train Show Sat. November 11th 10 AM - 5 PM & Sun. November 12th 11 AM - 4 PM Forest Hill Civic Center 6901 Wichita Street Forest Hill, TX Bayou City Ltd. Super Regional Convention Lone Star Region N.M.R.A. Houston, TX June 7-11, 2017 Westchase Hilton 9999 Westheimer Rd. Houston, More bayoucitylimited.org

7 7 May 2017 The STAR From The COO s Coal Hopper Mainline track has been completed on both the 53 and 28 levels and are connected via the Helix. Reworking of Tower 55 track is completed, and Mike (Galligan) installed working ground signals. The signals are currently manual, but will be tied to specific turnouts which control T-55 track polarity once track is wired. Electrical track drops are being installed. Rail joiners are being soldered in place, with every second or third rail joiner being left unsoldered for expansion, depending on running lengths between turnouts. All track leading into or out of a turnout has been soldered to the turnout. Reversing circuits have been determined, and rails are being gapped as required. Reversing circuit devices, Digitrax AR-1 s, have been procured and will be wired in beginning immediately. Keep the greasy side down! Clarence Zink

8 8 May The STAR The CDO s Parlor Car ( Continued from Page 5... Frisco In Fort Worth, Part 2 ) Four switch engines were operated in Fort Worth in every 24 hour period and their assignments were as follows: 1. Switch engine number 1 worked from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. This engine switched Frisco industries in the area known as the Bottoms, which was adjacent to the Frisco main line through Fort Worth. Upon completion of industry switching this That engine went to North Fort Worth and made deliveries to and received cars from the SSW, FW&D, GC&SF, CRI&P and Fort Worth Belt. The engine then returned to the West Yard with cars from industries and connections that were to be forwarded in outbound Frisco trains. 2. Switch engine number 2 worked from 7:59 AM to 3:59 PM. This engine works the train yard, switched the Frisco industries in south Fort Worth and made deliveries to the MKT and T&NO, picking up any cars from the T&NO for the Frisco. The MKT delivered cars destined for the Frisco to the Main Yard. Upon completion of this work this engine proceeded to the City Yard to switch industries in that area and make deliveries to the T&P if necessary. This engine then returns to the West Yard with any cars to be forwarded in our outbound trains or set to Frisco industries. There was no switch engine on duty from 3:59 PM until 10:30 PM. 3. Switch engine number 3 worked from 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM. The engine worked the West Yard, switching train number 37 and made up train numbers 34 and 38. This engine would then work the City Yard, set up the freight house, and deliver to the T&P. 4. Switch engine number 4 worked from 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM and switched industries in the Bottoms then headed to North Fort Worth, making deliveries to and receiving cars from industries and connections. This engine then returned to the West Yard with cars for industries or for Frisco outbound trains. Switch engines were all radio equipped, which enabled ( Continued the yard on office Page 9 to... maintain ) constant contact with them. Yard clerks in the Fort Worth yards were furnished walkie-talkie radios, and they too maintained contact with the yard office. There was a track scale located in the Main Yard, and cars were weighed on this track when necessary. The yard also had a repair track and car shop, where necessary repairs were made to cars and engines; however, there was no general overhaul work done at any of the Fort Worth yards. There were three repair tracks located in the West Yard, two of which were used for repair, the other for storage. Total capacity of the three tracks was 100 cars. There was a ( Continued on Page 9...)

9 9 May 2017 The STAR ( Continued from Page 8... Frisco In Fort Worth, Part 2 ) shop located in the West Yard, and it was equipped with necessary materials to make minor repairs on diesel locomotives. Fort Worth City Yard The Fort Worth City Yard was located adjacent to Frisco Freight House at 700 West Vickery (see figure 2.2 City Yard). The yard consisted of three tracks with a capacity of 12 cars, but had no storage facilities or yard office. The yard contained the House tracks, the Vickery Street Team Track, the T&P interchange track, and industry tracks serving industries in the vicinity. All switching of the City Yard was done from the West Yard engines. Figure 2.2 City Yard Fort Worth (red arrow). Fort Worth North Yard The Fort Worth North Yard was really a secondary yard and used as an interchange point with other railroads. It was located adjacent to the joint freight station in North Fort Worth (see figure 2.3 North Yard). The freight office was operated jointly with the StL.S.W. RR. There were no storage facilities there nor yard office, it being primarily used as an interchange yard with railroads in North Fort Worth. All switching of the North Fort Worth Yard was done by West Yard switch engines. Figure 2.3 North Yard Fort Worth (red arrow). Well, that s about it for now. Next time we talk about Interchanges and industries. Until then, happy rails! Mike Corley

10 10 January May The STAR STAR MAY 2017 BIRTHDAYS Darrell Cowles 5/5 Kim Hays 5/16 Bob Hunt 5/23 THE TEXAS WESTERN THE TEXAS WESTERN STAR STAR Clean Clean UP UP Crew Crew MAY 2017 JANUARY 2015 Darrell DARRELL Cowles COWLES Chris Johnson David Hall David Kranda Bob Hunt Kevin Leddy Ken Roose Texas Western Railroad Association 6808 Forest Hill Drive, Forest Hill, TX