"THE CALL BOARD"---
Rennie Neider and Bill Gibson spent Monday 2/23/53 in Kansas City. The nigh light of the trip was
shooting L&A #251 switching on the KCS. They met a fellow engine picture fan at the Santa Fe
yards, Walter Krawiec of the Chicago Railroad Club. Welcome to the "Midwest", Walter.
(From the March 1953 issue of "Sparks"; Volume #1/Issue #2):
"FEBRUARY MEETING"---
We were pleased to have as our guest at this meeting, Orris Bilger, retired mechanical engineer of
the Santa Fe, and previous to that the Kansas City Mexico and Orient. Mr. Bilger started his rail
career as a fireman on the Union Pacific. He was responsible for many improvements made on
Santa Fe and Orient engines.
After our regular meeting was over the steam fans were in for a real treat. As usual Shelby Cambell
was on hand with his projector and the film shown was Norfolk and Western "The Modern Coal
Burning Steam Locomotive". At its conclusion this film was given a spontaneous round of
applause which shows how the policy of the Norfolk & Western coincides with the wishes of most all
railfans.
"THE CALL BOARD"---
Don R. Roberts, a justly famous Union Pacific fan from Portland, Oregon will be in Topeka the night
of March 27,1953. We hope many of the Topeka Chapter members will get to meet Don as all of you
have seen some of his beautiful post card pictures of engines in the Pacific Northwest. He is
heading for Indiana before returning home.
(From the April 1953 issue of "Sparks"; Volume #1/Issue #3):
"THE CALL BOARD"---
Passenger cars have been seen leaving Topeka shops with aluminum-colored roofs. What's the
idea? Your guess is as good as mine.
Union Pacific 4457 an (0-6-0), formerly used by St. Joe terminal, came through Topeka as a dead
engine in an eastbound freight. We have heard that she is to be scrapped at Kansas City; another
rumor has it is to be put in white lead.
(From the May 1953 issue of "Sparks"; Volume #1/Issue #4):
"THE CALL BOARD"---
Some Shortline notes---The Midland Valley, K.O.&G. and O.C.A. &A. system is totally Dieselized
since a shipment of 15 Diesels arrived last January.
The Northeast Oklahoma, an ex juice line, looks very prosperous with their new Diesels and new
steel cabooses.
The Sand Springs still carries passengers from Tulsa to Sand Springs with cars leaving every 15
minutes.
"A RAILFAN TOUR OF DALLAS" (By Walter Evans)---
I decided to start my unguided tour of the Southern metropolis at Union Station and was glad to see a
neat Pacific Number 554 of the F.W.D.C. at the head end of the Texas Zephyr". Also a Union
Terminal 0-6-0 No. 7 was busily taking apart and making up trains. While waiting for the 554 to
leave, the northbound "San Houston Zephyr" came in with a Diesel 9909 doing the pulling. After a
short stop it was on its way again. Next a bell started ringing and smoke poured from 554's stack as
she wheeled her stainless steel consist north. A sight for Diesel weary eyes.
Nearby was a viaduct which carries Dallas Railway and Terminal street cars across the Trinity
River. Both PCC and older type cars.
After watching this for a while I took off for the Texas State Fair Grounds but was distracted by some
smoke on the way and found T. & N.O. Number 147 a six wheeled switcher working a small yard south
of Commerce Street.
The big attraction at the Fair Grounds was Texas & Pacific number 638 a Texas type engine. I'm glad
this engine is preserved but object to its boiler and cylinders being painted white and the cab roof
painted red. They also have two minature trains here to haul the kiddies around. A Diesel painted
Santa Fe colors and called the Texas Chief and an oil burning 4-4-0 called the Grand Canyon. After
watching these for a while I went to a square in front of the Fair Grounds to take some street car
pictures. The older type cars are still in the majority here with two color schemes, green and cream,
and red and cream.