Railroaders' Nostalgia > Eastbound at Matfield

I love this shot! By 1991 I was up in the Big Sky, 4 years into the MRL stage of my train service career. But I retained many fond memories of this part of the Santa Fe main line through the Chase County Kansas Flint Hills. My friend and photographer Dan Munson took this shot off of the KS hwy 177 overpass north (TT east) of Matfield Green. The rear end of this train is just clearing the few speed-restricted curves between Cassoday & Matfield. Unless there was a crossover move to be made at Ellinor, from this spot it was 70 MPH running all the way into the Merrick crossovers at Emporia, our home terminal & crew-change point. As we 1980s KS Gangsters used to say: On the go, at Seven-Oh! This stretch of track would often evoke a ‘welcome back home’ feeling. Working home on the average hot-shot it was always nice to know there would be virtually no delays in getting into Emporia, getting tied-up and off duty. I’ve had many interesting eastbound rides through this territory. Check out the 3rd caption in this link: ( The most toys w/ Fast Freddie (trainorders.com) )...

BNSF’s double-tracking project was recently completed here. So this shot is no longer possible. The old K-177 overpass was removed and replaced with a brand-new, slightly relocated overpass. The shooting is still good off the approaches, just a bit more challenging... ;^)

1. AT&SF 3844 leads 3 more Blue & Yellow warbonnets just east of Matfield Green, KS.
Original Kodachrome trader slide taken on September 26, 1991 by Dan Munson.

Thanks for looking back!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

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That's a great picture.

There's something pretty neat about screaming along, and looking back at your train as you"swoop" around a curve. And that almost home feeling is pretty cool as well. Especially the last trip before vacation starts.  🙂👍

Yea, awesome shot.
JB

I miss those days of all TOFC trains on the ATSF racing along at 7-0 mph.