Today's historic steam excursion used steam locomotive St. Louis - San Francisco (Frisco) No. 1522 and a fleet of Amtrak and privately owned passenger cars. Frisco 1522, is owned by the St. Louis Steam Train Association and is operated in cooperation with railroads, such as BNSF over which today's train operated. The NRHS convention very much appreciate the support of BNSF, and Amtrak, for the operation of today's trip. Frisco 1522 was built by Baldwin Locomotive works on Philadelphia in 1926. It is a mountain type locomotive with a 4-8-2 wheel configuration.

The excursion train left the Amtrak Station in St. Louis, headed slightly east, and then turned north (right under the St. Louis Arch) along the west bank of the Mississippi. This line is now known as BNSF's Hannibal subdivision. The route was originally the "K Line," built by the St. Louis, Keokuk, and Northwestern Railway. Construction of the line happened over a period of years and in several stages beginning in Hannibal in 1871 and finally reaching St. Louis in 1880 via 30 miles of trackage rights. Not financially viable on its own, the line was eventually leased by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad in 1882, giving the CB&Q a route from St. Louis clear through to St. Paul, although the line maintained its corporate identify until about 1901 when the CB&Q completed the purchase.

Unfortunately, the day started off rainy. However, as most rail fans will say, any day ridding a train pulled a steam engine is a good day, so spirits were high. Along the way the snack and souvenir car was of course open in order to make the day still more enjoyable and memorable. On the train all passengers received a detailed route guide for the trip, describing sites and points of interest along the way. In addition, each passenger received a box lunch and beverage. The consist of the train was as follows:

The initial run north lasted about 3.5 hours and covered a distance of about 118 miles arriving in Hannibal, Missouri about 12:15 PM. Much of the trip ran under a slow order due to track conditions caused by the flooding of the Mississippi - portions of the line were recently under water and the river was still in many places lapping within a few feet of the tracks. The proximity to the river also afforded many opportunities for viewing river traffic, including the sternwheeler Mark Twain, pictured at the right.

Sign greeting passengers at entrance to River Pier in Hannibal, MO

Hannibal was settled after the New Madrid Fault Earthquake, which was in 1810, as a result of a land swap deal for land that had been swamped in lower Missouri by the rerouted Mississippi. Hannibal, Missouri was the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, and the source of material for many of his stories. In fact our train's last car was stopped about one-block from Twain's boyhood home. Hannibal was once a significant railroad town, which its own shops and yard. The first steam locomotive built west of the Mississippi was built here. The first ever Railway Post Office car was also built here. At one time the town was served by five railroads.

The train was serviced in Hannibal; during servicing, which lasted about an hour, the passengers were allowed to detrain to take pictures and watch the crew do their work. The calliope on the Mark Twin riverboat also provided a musical serenade. After reboarding the passengers, the train proceeded north towards West Quincy where the train was turned on the wye. Fortunately, by then the skies had cleared and the sun was shining beautifully.

On the return leg, a photo run-by (pictured below) was made at Ilasco. Ilasco was once the home of a large cement plant. The run-by sight was directly next to the river with an unobstructed view of "Big Muddy", making for a beautiful backdrop.

Photo Run-by at Ilasco, MO

As is always the case on train excursions, people from a variety of backgrounds come together for a day of enjoyment. Below left, Dave Wagner from St. Louis Chapter NRHS is ready to passengers in the SILVER SOLARIUM. Dressed in authentic Pullman attire, Kevin Tankersley, from Alexandria Virginia, talks with passengers in the meticulously restored lounged of the Pullman DOVER HARBOR. Below that picture, Elaine Baber and Kent Glovanovitz of St. Louis are seen relaxing in the coach ECHO CANYON.

Due to several factors, including BNSF's willingness to let us operate a photo run-by, our arrival back in St. Louis was delayed about three hours, but the delay did not dampen the fun and excitement of a wonderful day.

One final note, in the consist were three cars that had been recipients of the NRHS' Railway Heritage Grants in the past. The cars were the DOVER HARBOR, KITCHI GAMMI CLUB, and an unnamed coach.

On the Wye at West Quincy