When Steam was King

By Jim Schwinkendorf – As you are probably aware, Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive, UP #4014, has a planned short stop in Pacific on the morning of August 30.  Pacific always turns out for these infrequent visits, and as time has passed, UP is basically the only one still running any main line steam engines.  But before 1950, steam was king, and Pacific had a lot more interaction with its two railroads.  And a railroad history that dates back to 1853.

In the days of steam, Pacific had a brick Union Station that sat between the two railroads near First Street.  The station served both the Missouri Pacific (today, Union Pacific) and the Frisco (today, BNSF Railway).  Passenger trains of both railroads stopped here, and Pacific even had a commuter service to St Louis on the MoPac.  The station was the focal point of activity in the downtown area.

Back then, freight trains didn’t just pass though town – they served some local industries.  MoPac had a shop facility and a six stall roundhouse, and there was a jointly-used turntable where the commuter parking lot sits today.  And on the east end of town, there was a fairly large sand and gravel plant alongside the Meramec River that produced traffic for the Frisco.  And the silica plant for the MoPac.  A lot of business for both railroads.

But, perhaps, the Pacific location was most important as a source of water for the thirsty steam locomotives.  To the east, both railroads climbed Kirkwood hill, and MoPac went to St Louis through the Barrrets tunnels.  To the west, Mopac climbed out of the Meramec River valley and into the Missouri River valley over Summit hill, before dropping down to the Missouri River at Labadie.  With the big hills both east and west, it was vital for steam engines to take a big “drink” at Pacific before starting their climbs.  In many cases, it was necessary to add helper engines to try to get them up the grades.  A steam locomotive uses 10 times as much water as it does fuel, and steep grades cause even heavier use of the precious water supply to make steam for ascending the hills.

Downtown right by the depot, each railroad had large water tanks – one for eastward trains and one for westward trains.  Those four water tanks provided the treated water necessary to fill the tenders of the steam locomotives before they tackled the grades both east and west.  The water came out of the Meramec River near the sand and gravel works, and was piped alongside the right of way back into town to the water tanks by the station.  A small pump house enclosed the water pump to provide the downtown tanks with an adequate supply.  When a steam engine stopped for water, it was not uncommon to require a drink of 10,000 gallons at a time, before the train could leave to tackle the hills.  Water along the tracks was available at nearly every station, but the Pacific location and supply were vital for train movements.

Today, the diesel powered trains roll through town, and Amtrak’s four trains whistle for the crossings as they pass by.  The UP local still sets out empty covered hopper cars at the silica plant and picks up the loads, generally on a daily basis.  But otherwise, the railroad activity goes on without much local interaction.  When steam was king, it was a different story………

With the steam engine paying us a visit late this month, I though that you might be interested in this “railroady” information.

Jim Schwinkendorf is a Retired Pacific Railroad Executive and charter member of the Pacific Partnership

Author: paulinemasson

Pauline Masson, editor/publisher. View all posts by paulinemasson