THE TRAIN - QUANAH ZEPHYR AT QUANAH, TEXAS JUNE 21, 2008


THE AXE

The North Texas Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society held the NRHS' National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas the week of June 16, 2008. Here are photos of the special train excursion between Fort Worth and Quanah, Texas (Quanah Zepher) on the BNSF, using the former Burlington (FW&D) line, a very rare mileage trip.
   We stopped on a siding 5 miles south of Henrietta next to a stopped loaded coal train on the track to the right of us. This siding was called the Dick Worsham siding. There was a trespasser going between the coal cars that had an axe and had spray painted his face blue. The BNSF Agent arrested the man. He had apparently loosened a couple of air hoses, so the coal train had to be inspected before we could get back on the main line. This incident cost us one hour of time. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and at least one car from the Clay County Sheriff's Office were also involved.
   We stopped for passengers at Wichita Falls before getting to Quanah.
   The best thing about this trip was the FANTASTIC reception given for us by the city of Quanah. They rolled out the red carpet, even having 'red caps' directing us to attractions. They Quanah Route depot museum and other museums in town were full of excellent exhibits, including railroad history and other historical artifacts. Worth a trip back to see everything. They also fed us half-pound grilled hamburgers, freshly grilled just outside the eating facility. There were hundreds that showed up when the train arrived, along with horse-drawn carriages and festive mounted flag-bearers.
   The train left Fort Worth at 7 a.m., returning to Fort Worth at 9:05 p.m. Everyone had a great time, although it was a long day.
   An interesting sideline: I created this entire webpage on my laptop while traveling on Amtrak 22 (Texas Eagle) from Fort Worth to Little Rock on June 22 in a regular coach.

MEMBERS OF THE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER  NRHS, INCLUDING SKIP WATERS - You did a great job with this convention and may use any of the photos on this webpage. If you need full resolution (3-5 mb) photos, let me know. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)



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LEFT-It's 4:18 a.m. June 21, 2008 and I arrived at the ITC (Transportation Center) in Fort Worth to see if I could get some night photos. RIGHT-BNSF 7752 was on the head end of the Quanah Zephyr in this flash shot taken at 4:25 a.m. The 7752 headed our train to Quanah.


LEFT-Our train consisted of the follwing locomotives and cars: BNSF 7752, Amtrak 38, BNSF 50 Business Car "Stampede Pass," Amfleet coaches: 82710, 82560, 82630, 82580, 82620, 82500, Private cars: Mid America-Golden State, Pennsylvania-Henry Hudson, New York Central 38, Braddock Ind., Mount Vernon, Pullman Kitchi Gammi Club. RIGHT- 5:49 a.m. view of Amtrak's Superliner cars of the Texas Eagle (left) and our Quanah Zephyr cars (right).


LEFT-We began boarding at 6:00 a.m. RIGHT-Inside one of the private cars.


LEFT-Bart Jennings, the famous rare-mileage guru. RIGHT-Skip Waters, head of the North Texas Chapter's convention committee.


LEFT-Jerry Nunn, a former college classmate and NWS employee. RIGHT- We stopped on a siding 5 miles south of Henrietta next to a stopped loaded coal train on the track to the right of us. This siding was called the Dickworsham siding. There was a trespasser going between the coal cars that had an axe and had spray painted his face blue. The BNSF Agent arrested the man. He had apparently loosened a couple of air hoses, so the coal train had to be inspected before we could get back on the main line. This incident cost us one hour of time. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and at least one car from the Clay County Sheriff's Office were also involved.


The BNSF Special Agent with the axe.




Engering Wichita Fall, Texas at 11:43 a.m. Santa Fe 151 with an BN caboose was on display.


Passengers got on at Wichita Falls. RIGHT-Steve Goen is the man in the conductor suit.


LEFT-Some of the people who boarded at Wichita Falls. RIGHT-Passing the rolling stock at the museum at Wichita Falls.




RIGHT-A conductor on this was was Steve Goen.


Entering Quanah, Texas at 1:24 p.m. They rolled out the red carpet for us and it looked like hundreds were out to see us.




LEFT-Special riders. RIGHT-A horse-drawn wagon.


RIGHT-Parked at Quanah, we could see an eastbound coal train waiting.


LEFT-Our train with a lot of our group taking pictures. RIGHT-Our sharp-looking train.






The eastbound coal train at 1:49 p.m. with BNSF 6130.


LEFT-Some of the many 'Red Cap's' who told us where to go and what to do. 'RIGHT-Our train in the backgroud with the parade of horses and carriages.


LEFT-The fine people of Quanah served us a great box lunch of half-pound hamburgers, which is where this line is going. RIGHT-Seeing an Amtrak locomotive in Quanah is extremely rare.




Inside the place where we had our lunch.


RIGHT-The Quanah Route depot museum.


LEFT-BNSF M.P. 191.88. RIGHT- Our train was leaving the wye for the return trip at 3:25 p.m.


LEFT-One man had a bull in a trailer, which I took a picture of. RIGHT-Waiting for the return trip.


LEFT-Jim Satterwhite is at the right under the tree.RIGHT-Waiting to board about 3:46 p.m.


The train backed to our boarding site in Quanah.






LEFT-Here and below are some scenes of the west Texas countryside as seen from a window of a train. RIGHT-Livestock. It's 4:24 p.m. June 21.


RIGHT-How's this scene? This is the Pease River near Vernon.


LEFT-In Chillicothe was LRSX 110 and unknown marking 1822. RIGHT-No. 1005, Bolton's Locomotive in Vernon, 4:55 p.m. The warping was due to looking back through the Amfleet window.


LEFT-A lone covered hopper, sans trucks, on a hill east of Vernon. Could this be symbolic of something? RIGHT-Cropped photo.


LEFT-Symbol of Texas. RIGHT-Passing the famous Saginaw depot, home of the annual '24-hours at Saginaw' event. I thought it'd be nice taking a picture FROM a train for a change. It's 8:32 p.m.


LEFT-Photo op. The lighting had just become bad as the sun set a few minutes before. RIGHT-BACK! 9:05 p.m.