Nostalgia & History > Maroon Monday : No Need for an Extra 1 on the UP

Up until 1958, the UP and Rock Island (via trackage rights) both had trains numbered 39-40 on the UP between KC and Topeka, KS. UP 39-40 were the KC-Salina, KS Local Passengers and Rock Island's 39-40 were the old Imperial and in later days pretty much a mail train.
The UP differentiated the Rock's trains of the same number as theirs by adding a 1 to the number. Thus Rock Island 39-40 became 139-140
between KC and Topeka.
In 1958, the UP abolished KC-Salina 39-40 and the Rock's 39-40 had those numbers all to themselves.

Rock Island No. 40 on the UP
East of Topeka, KS
March 26, 1966
Photo by W.A. Gibson Sr.

Thanks for looking.

Bob Helling
PRose

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Great picture.
What type of cars were on the rear? Coach and diner?

Thomas G

one coach. wag216

and the Rock Island did not have to display train numbers when running over
their UP trackage rights, correct?

Correct. By the time of this photo, 1966, the UP had quit displaying train numbers as well. UP quit displaying train numbers on
July 5, 1965.

Bob H.
PRose

Yes! wag216