Murry Hammond is working to produce expanded magazine-size publication on the Bartlett Western Railway of Williamson County. In general, I am looking for photographs to illustrate these histories, and surviving family stories to personalize them. If you have any pictures or stories on the old railroad that you would be willing to let us copy for our publication, I'd love to speak with you by mail or e-mail or telephone. Contact: Murry Hammond (click for e-Mail) or call anytime at 818-653-4626.
Here are our needs:
The "Dinky" Model-T truck at Jarrell, 1924.
The B.W. Fordson with the trailer at Bartlett, early 1920's.
"The Dinky". To save money, the railroad converted a Model-T truck and a Fordson tractor to run on rails. The tractor hauled cotton, while the Model-T hauled mail. Passengers could ride in a homemade trailer that could be pulled by either. We are looking especially for photographs, and stories of riding along, or seeing these vehicles on their scheduled runs.
Florence Railroad Station and Smart Gin & Store. We have made an exhaustive search, but still lack a good photograph of the depot building and the Smart Gin and store that sat at the end-of-track in Florence, Texas.
Four Gospels stations: "Matthew", "Mark", "Luke" and "John". The BW installed four sidings between the towns, primarily for loading wood. A small three-sided shed was built at each of these points, so passengers or wood loaders waiting for the train, could get out of the weather. On the walls inside each of these sheds hung a copy of the corresponding Gospel story was framed on the wall. We are looking for any kind of photographs or drawings of these buildings.
Thank you! |
