I grew up in Norman & Moore, Oklahoma in the 50's and 60's. Sometime before 1955, I rode a steam train from Norman to Newton or Wichita Kansas. I have looked in google until my thumbs hurt and can find no relevant information about the ATSF in the 50's. My question is pretty simple, does anyone know what kind of engine I rode on, and better yet, perhaps a picture or two of likely engines that rolled through that area in that pre 55 time? I vividly remember watching the War Bonnets roll through town several times a day, as our house was near the mainline. Dad always said the it was the Texas Chief on its way from Chicago to Dallas. Any clarity around this time would, of course be appreciated. Best regards,
Unless we had some good evidence from other places in that area, I can only guess that you may have ridden behind a Pacific or Hudson. It's only a guess,,,,,
My first guess was that the train was not the Texas Chief. Reason is that in the early fifties the change to Diesels had already occured. Do you remember if you changed trains in Oklahoma City. If so the 12 train eastbound stopped at Wichita and Newton. I agree with friscobob about the Hudson or Pacific . The Northern is another guess just because of there availability after WWII.
If it was not the Texas Chief with streamlined cars and warbonnet diesels, it may have been the "Ranger." Some information on the Ranger: Ranger consist 1946 Warbonnet (publication of Santa Fe Rwy Historical and Modeling Society) 2nd Quarter 2003 p.24 Ranger? ATSF train #6 NP in suburbs of Chicago 1932 400,000 Miles by Rail by Blanton p.10 consist, Santa Fe Modelers Assn JanFeb71 p.3 pix at Gene Autry, OK 1956 Santa Fe Modeler 1Q87 p.2 #6 ex-Ranger at Ponca City; #5 at Oklahoma City" Santa Fe 1940-1971 in color Vol.4 p.16,18 1939 pix, Steel,Steam & Limiteds p.369 drumhead The Trains We Rode by Beebe & Clegg p.92 at Emporia 1958 Santa Fe Trackside w Bill Gibson p.32 at Winfield KS 1958 Santa Fe Trackside w Bill Gibson p.32 at Topeka 1958 Santa Fe Trackside w Bill Gibson p.33 Houston Union Station, morning, 1957, with Texas Chief, California Special, Ranger, FW&D Sam Houston Zephyr, MoPac train all in station at once Santa Fe in the Lone Star Statevol.1 p.19 at Tower 81, T&NO Jct, Houston, headed for Galveston, F-7 #333, July 1956. Santa Fe in the Lone Star State vol.1 p.18 F-7 #301 in train #5 former "Ranger" Warbonnet 3Q 2000 p.14
My Nscale layout named The Sunflower (MoP) and Little Ranger 9ATSF) RR features the Doodlebug which ran between Emporia and Winfield Kansas. Both stopped in El Dorado. The name came from the connection the riders could make to The Ranger. Question? How far south did the Ranger go?
How far south did the Ranger go? To the end of the line, the Gulf of Mexico, or at least within a few blocks of it. I have been collecting cars to model the Ranger in its 1955-1957 appearance. #5 Southbound #6 Northbound "RANGER" mail & express power: PA/PB (Concor) or E8 (Atlas) or DL-109 (Concor) head-end: RPO-Baggage heavyweight ModelPower & Concor on hand for kitbash alterate: lightweight full RPO Rapido 60' RPO on hand Box Express Atlas on hand Express Reefer Fine N kit and Roundhouse car on hand Baggage-Express heavyweight Concor on hand alternate Baggage-Rider coach heavyweight Atlas on hand Coach heavyweight x2 radical kitbash from Lima/ModPowr cars or scratch alternate ex-Pullman sleeper used as coach Atlas on hand Sleeper Heavyweight 10-1-2 "Lake" Atlas on hand causeway crossed by Ranger to Galveston Island, shown here with tourist excursion train http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aca.jpg station used by Ranger at Galveston http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aem.jpg computer rendering of planned model station scene http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/adp.jpg layout plan for island seaport http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/ael.jpg
