The '''St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company''', widely known as the "Frisco," was a major rail carrier from the late 19th century into the early 1980s. It was one of two railways that directly served the city of Pensacola, sharing access to the Port of Pensacola with its better-known counterpart, the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]]. It also provided passenger service to and from from Pensacola from its arrival in 1928 until the cessation of passenger service in 1955.
== Origin and Design ==
In the late 1800s and early 1900s the Frisco was engaged in a series of expansions. By the early 1920s many of these expansions had not proven fruitful, so new plans of expansion through acquisition and construction were developed. One of these expansion plans involved an outlet to a Port (the company having lost a line to New Orleans prior to 1920). However, most of these ventures did not pan out either and Frisco was forced to sell or abandon many them. However, one plan, the Frisco's long-standing dream of an outlet to the Gulf of Mexico, was finally realized with the completion of the line to Pensacola, Florida in July [[1928]].
To finalize this dream the Frisco purchased the '''Muscle Shoals, Birmingham and Pensacola Railroad''', on [[July 7]], [[1925]], although responsibility for operating the line was not assumed until a later date. This line extended from [[Pensacola]], Florida North to [[Wikipedia:Kimbrough, Alabama|Kimbrough]], Alabama, a distance of about 143 miles and included port facilities consisting of docks, warehouses and water front property in Pensacola. The line, originally known as the Gulf, Florida and Alabama Railroad, was constructed in the early to mid teens of the twentieth century.
In the late 1800s Originally this line was projected to run 146 miles south to Kimbrough, Alabama passing through rich coalfields and early 1900s the Frisco was engaged in a series city of expansions[[Wikipedia:Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]], Alabama. By As built, it left the Amory to Aberdeen Branch at a point named Aberdeen Junction on the early 1920s many east side of these expansions had not proven fruitfulthe [[Wikipedia:Tombigbee River|Tombigbee River]], so new plans of expansion through acquisition and construction were developed. One of these expansion plans involved an outlet proceeding to a Port (having lost a line to New Orleans prior to 1920). However[[Wikipedia:Demopolis, Alabama|Demopolis]], most of these ventures did not pan out either Alabama and Frisco was forced then veering off toward the Southeast to sell or abandon many themKimbrough. HoweverA crew change point was established at [[Wikipedia:Magnolia, Alabama|Magnolia]], one planAlabama, the Frisco's long-standing dream which was 153.1 miles south of an outlet to the Gulf Amory and 150.7 miles north of MexicoPensacola, was finally realized with the completion total length of the line to Pensacola, Florida in July 1928being 303.8 miles.
To finalize this dream the Frisco purchased the '''Muscle Shoals, Birmingham The new track was constructed with minimal curvature and Pensacola Railroad''', on July 7, 1925, although responsibility for operating grades. Flooding along the line Tombigbee River was not assumed until a later date. This factor to be contended with on an almost annual basis and a section of the line extended from between [[PensacolaWikipedia:Linden, Alabama|Linden]], Florida North to Alabama and Magnolia was built on very unstable soil requiring perennial [[Wikipedia:Kimbrough, Alabamaslow order|Kimbroughslow orders]], Alabama, a distance . The portion of about 143 miles and included port facilities consisting of dockstrack belonging to the Muscle Shoals, warehouses Birmingham and water front property in Pensacola. The lineRailroad was built to a lower standard with much sharper curves, originally known as the Gulflower-quality track, Florida and Alabama railroad, was constructed in the early to mid teens of the twentieth centurysteeper grades.
Originally There were/are many chemical plants and paper mills along this line was projected to run 146 miles south to with chip and/or pulp wood loading occurring at almost every station. When operated by the Frisco, interchanges were with the Southern at Boligee, Demopolis and Kimbrough, Alabama passing through rich coalfields and with the city of L&N at Linden, Hybart and [[Wikipedia:TuscaloosaAtmore, Alabama|TuscaloosaAtmore]], Alabamaand [[Cantonment, Florida|Cantonment]]and Pensacola, Florida. As builtThe Columbus and Greenville, it left the Amory to Aberdeen Branch at a point named Aberdeen Junction on the east side of the [[Wikipedia:Tombigbee RiverSouthern Railway (U.S.)|Tombigbee RiverSouthern]] to and [[Wikipedia:DemopolisGulf, AlabamaMobile and Ohio Railroad|DemopolisGM&O]], Alabama and then veering off toward the Southeast to Kimbrough. A crew change point was established interchanged at [[Wikipedia:MagnoliaColumbus, AlabamaMississippi|MagnoliaColumbus]], Alabama, which was 153.1 miles south of Amory and 150.7 miles north of Pensacola, the total length of line being 303.8 milesMississippi.
The new track was constructed with minimal curvature and grades although flooding along the Tombigbee River was a factor to be contended with almost on an annual basis and a section of the line between [[Wikipedia:Linden, Alabama|Linden]], Alabama and Magnolia was built on very unstable soil requiring perennial [[Wikipedia:slow order|slow orders]]. The portion of track belonging to the Muscle Shoals, Birmingham and Pensacola Railroad was built to a lower standard with much sharper curves, lower-quality track, and steeper grades.
There were/are many chemical plants and paper mills along this line with chip and/or pulp wood loading occurring at almost every station. When operated by the Frisco interchanges were with the Southern at Boligee, Demopolis and Kimbrough, Alabama and with the L&N at Linden, Hybart and [[Wikipedia:Atmore, Alabama|Atmore]], Alabama and [[Wikipedia:Cantonment, Florida|Cantonment]] and Pensacola, Florida. The Columbus and Greenville, [[Wikipedia:Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern]] and [[Wikipedia:Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad|GM&O]] interchanged at [[Wikipedia:Columbus, Mississippi|Columbus]], Mississippi.== Local Activities ==
== Major Local There were several major branch lines serving clients in the Pensacola area. The Goulding Branch Lines ==industrial park lead, which led to the port and L&N connection, crossed [[Palafox Street]] south of [[Fairfield Drive]]. A branch to the [[Naval Air Station Pensacola|Pensacola Naval Air Station]] crossed [[Bayou Chico]] on a [[Wikipedia:Bascule Bridge|Bascule]] bridge, now long since demolished.
There were several major branch lines serving clients in the Pensacola area. The Goulding Branch industrial park lead, which led to the port and L&N connection, crossed [[Palafox Street]] south of [[Fairfield Drive]]Image:SteamDummy. A branch to the Pensacola Naval Air Station crossed Bayou Chico on a [[Wikipedia:Bascule Bridgejpg|thumb|left|Bascule]] bridge, now long since demolished. Another branch led to the old passenger station at the corner of [[Garden Street]] and [[Coyle Street]], now the site of a BellSouth facility. Frisco locomotive #1355 is placed at this location in commemoration The only known photo of the former passenger depot, a [[Wikipedia:Mission Revival Style architecture|Mission Revivalsteam-style]] structure that was demolished powered tram in 1967. The easement for this branch is clearly visible, parallel to and just south of Garden Street from [[Pace Boulevard]] to the former station siteoperation, crossing intervening roads with some rails still embedded. There was also a branch to headed over the Armstrong Cork Plant, which is still in use. The Pensacola Naval Air Station and passenger station branches were mostly inactive by the early bridge to mid 70s with the what's now NAS branch being removed in the mid 70sPensacola. ]]
This branch was formerly shared with the [[Pensacola streetcar system|Pensacola Streetcar System]], and long after the streetcars disappeared was known as the "Dummy Line", owing to its heritage as a non-electric tram line for Navy Yard workers, with trains pulled by so-called [[Wikipedia:Steam dummy|"steam dummy"]] locomotives. Another branch led to the old [[Frisco passenger station]], a [[Wikipedia:Mission Revival Style architecture|Mission Revival-style]] structure at the corner of [[Garden Street]] and [[Coyle Street]], now the site of a BellSouth facility. [[Frisco locomotive #1355]] is placed at this location in commemoration of the former passenger depot, demolished in [[1967]]. The easement for this branch is clearly visible, parallel to and just south of Garden Street from [[Pace Boulevard]] to the former station site, crossing intervening roads with some rails still embedded. There was also a branch to the [[Armstrong Cork Plant]], which is still in use. The Pensacola Naval Air Station and passenger station branches were mostly inactive by the early to mid 70s with the NAS branch being removed in the mid 70s.
== Fire At The Frisco Docks ==
Frisco owned and maintained port facilities in Pensacola, on what is now called the [[Trillium property]]. The pier built shortly after 1900 was sold by the Frisco to the [[Pensacola Port Authority]] in [[1957]] and completely destroyed by fire on [[December 17]], [[1966]]. Adjacent facilities owned by the Frisco were not damaged. After that most of the import/export business was handled through the city of Pensacola Port which was served by the L&N RR. Frisco interchanged this business to the L&N in downtown Pensacola, via tracks that once paralleled Main Street. Frisco locomotives would push railcars, which would be detached and coast along these tracks until being caught by a locomotive on the port end. Scrap metal, as well as rice, flour and other agricultural commodities were exported. Commodities handled in Pensacola included scrap, chemicals, wood products and acoustical tile products.
== Passenger Service ==
[[Image:FriscoDepot1947.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Frisco passenger station]] circa 1947]]
Frisco operated several excursion trains to Pensacola in late June 1928, but regularly scheduled passenger train service did not begin until [[September 1]], [[1928]]. The new trains were initially Nos. 907-908, operating between Memphis and Pensacola with coaches, a dining car, and [[Wikipedia:Sleeping Car|Pullman]] sleeping car service. Within a few years, the service was redesignated as trains 207-208, operating only between Amory and Pensacola, but with a through Pullman car and coaches carried to and from Memphis in the ''Sunnyland'' (trains 107-108).
[[Image:FriscoPassengerTimetable.jpg|thumb|left]]
Frisco owned These through cars allowed passengers to board in Pensacola and maintained port facilities awaken the next morning in PensacolaMemphis, without the need of disembarking at Amory to change trains in the middle of the night. Pullman sleeping car service ended on what is now called the [[Trillium propertyJanuary 29]], [[1934]]. The pier built shortly after 1900 was sold by the Frisco to the Pensacola Port Authority in 1957 and completely destroyed by fire , as a result of ridership declines brought on December 17, 1966. Adjacent facilities owned by the Frisco were not damagedGreat Depression. After that most of the import/export business In January 1935, sleeper service was handled through the city of Pensacola Port restored with a uniquely designed car, a sleeper-buffet-coach which was served by operated with Frisco employees, independent of the L&N RRPullman Company. Frisco interchanged Two cars were rebuilt for this business to the L&N in downtown Pensacolaservice, via tracks that once paralleled Main Street. Frisco locomtives would push railcars, which would be detached one named ''Memphis'' and coast along these tracks until being caught by a locomotive on the port end. Scrap metal, as well as rice, flour and other agricultural commodities were exportednamed ''Pensacola''. Commodities handled in This sleeping car operation between Pensacola included scrapand Memphis was discontinued [[November 3]], chemicals[[1952]], wood products leaving coach only trains with [[Wikipedia:Railway post office|RPO]] and acoustical tile productsbaggage cars.
== Passenger Service == [[Image:EndOfFriscoPassengerTrains.jpg|thumb|left]]
Passenger train Declining traffic caused the Frisco to discontinue Pensacola passenger service was discontinued February 1, 1955. This train ran between Amory and Pensacola as No. 207 and 208. Trains trains 207-208 made connections with the Sunnyland (107/223-108) at Amory and at various times train 207-208 was also known as the Sunnylandtheir last run on January 31, 1955. In the early days 207-208 carried a Memphis to Pensacola [[Wikipedia:Sleeping Car|Pullman]] car and coach. The Pullman car was later replaced with a unique car that was a combination PullmanAfterward, buffet, and coach car which was operated independent of the Pullman Company. This car also ran through between Memphis and Pensacola. Sleeping Car Service passenger terminal was discontinued November 3, 1952, lightly used as office and storage space by the time 207-208 was discontinued it was a coach only train with [[Wikipedia:Railway post office|RPO]] railroad, but fell to neglect and baggage carsvandalism until its demolition in 1967.
== The Railroad Today ==
Today, what remains of the Pensacola Branch is operated by the [[Wikipedia:BNSF Railway|BNSF]] to Kimbrough at which point Mobile trains enter and leave the [[Wikipedia:Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]]. Kimbrough to Pensacola is operated by the [[Wikipedia:Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway|Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway]], which is owned by a short-line holding company, RailAmerica[http://http://www.railamerica.com/RailAmerica].
==References==
''Frisco Files & All Aboards'', Mike Lutzenberger. 9/14/2001 [http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?s=2196153d240ba1953050f4842ad130eb&t=1209 Pensacola Line History-Frisco Railroad Library]
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[[Category:Railroads]]