1948-52

All photos and data from James Burke

1028

1945
Typical power were 2-6-2 Prairie locomotives: 1016, 1018, 1019, 1025, 1050, 1104, 1114, 1134, 1148.
Larger prairies, the 1800 class also appeared: 1819, 1824, 1825, 1828, 1840, 1880.
When extras brought cattle from Texas, or long strings of limestone were taken from the quarry, mikes (2-8-2) appeared : 3102, 3104, 3109, 3112,

1946
Prairies continued to be the standard power: 1018, 1019, 1025, 1031, 1066, 1075, 1118, 1134, 1148.
Big prairies 1801, 1819, 1820, 1825, 1828, 1838, 1875.
Mikes : 3102, 3104, 3105, 3109, 3112, 3125.

3105

1947
Prairies: 1014, 1018, 1019, 1025, 1038, 1073, 1079, 1114, 1134.
Big prairies: 1801, 1819, 1820, 1825, 1838
Mikes: 3102, 3105, 3109, 3114, 3124.

1948
Prairies: 1014, 1015, 1018, 1025, 1034, 1038, 1070, 1099, 1114, 1134.
Big Prairies: 1819, 1878.
Mikes: 3102, 3105, 3108, 3112, 3114, 3229, 4006.

1949
The little prairies had their last runs: 1025, 1099,
The Big Prairies also were few: 1801, 1824, 1827, 1835, 1838,
The Mikes took over: 3100, 3105, 3109, 3124, 3125, 3127, 3128, 3160, 3161, 3162, 3165, 3167, 3169, 3171, 3182, 3185, 3186, 3191, 3194, 3202, 3207, 3212, 3229, 4000, 4003, 4006, 4022, 4039, 4061, 4063.

1950
Prairies 1035, 1079, 1840, 1871,1875.
Mikes: 3100, 3102, 3105, 3109, 3160, 3171, 3195, 4006, 4022.
Steam was very limited after mid 1950.
The 1st diesel to appear on the Howard was EMD FT 175 to take kids to Kansas City to the Zoo. It had a steam generator car for the 23 lightweight cars behind it.
In the summer of 1950, A-A pairs of FTs appeared with running boards for switching (#131). James Burke reports, "The two unit FTs (131-428 & 118-427 & 430-408) were only used on the branch in 1950 as far as I know. These units were intended for Emporia - Superior service but came down the branch occasionally."

1951
Steamers 1028, 1075, 1825, 1830 1834, 1878, 3169, 3205, 4053, made rare visits.
GP7 2672 began to work the Howard Branch February 4 and a few days later her sister 2675 appeared. Steam was virtually dead.

Probably the last steam to see the Howard was 3125 on June 11, 1953. Steam became uncommon after mid -1950.

The most frequent steam power during 1945-53 was the 1018. Other regulars were 1025, 1134, 1135, and 3105.

A number of the steamers used on the Howard Branch have been preserved: 1015 (Emporia, KS), 1050 (Independence, KS), 1073 (Lawrence, KS), 1079 (Coffeyville, KS), 1819 (Lamar, CO), and 1880 (Newton, KS).

Brass Models

1050-1152 were produced by Key in 1975. As produced it is correct for 1092.
1800-1887 were produced by Balboa (1967) and Custom Brass (1975). As is they are correct for 1812, 1821, 1825, 1827, 1830, 1850, 1869, and 1880. 1825 and 1880 were regulars on the branch.
3100-3128 were produced by Hallmark (1982).
3160-3287 were modeled by International (1952, 56); House for Four Winds (1959) with coal tender; PFM (1961) also with coal tender; AHM (1978) with coal tender; N. J. International as a kit (1983) with coal tender; Key (1988) with coal and oil (12K or 15K); Sunset (1978) with both coal and oil tenders and again (1992) with coal and oil tenders.
4000-4100 models came from PFM (1962-3) with 15K oil tender; Key (1988) with 12K oil and 15K coal tender; Sunset (1977) with 15K convertible tender and (1992) with 12K and 15K oil tender in several variations.