Railroad locomotives need maintenance.

Such a simple and obvious statement. One would think it would have been even more obvious to the generation which grew up with steam. The steam locomotive requires an intricate and exacting regimen of lubrication, cleaning, boiler washing, and periodic back-shopping where the entire locomotive is stripped down to the frame and rebuilt. When the railroads dieselized after World War II an entire army of workers was able to be trimmed and railroad management can perhaps be forgiven for thinking they had entered the Promised Land.

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas, it appears, bought into that mindset more than most. Rapid dieselization after World War II left it with a roster of more than 200 units representing ten models from four different builders. Alas, even Diesel locomotives need periodic maintenance and overhaul...and for whatever the reason, Katy didn't provide it. By the late 1950s even the nearly-new Diesels were breaking down by the dozen. By 1957, barely half of the roster was serviceable.

And the problem wasn't limited to just the locomotive fleet. During and shortly after the war Katy had installed thousands of crossties which proved to have been inadequately treated with creosote, and by the late 1950s they were rotting to pieces as well. The bad track and the bad-order locomotives resulted in what could only be termed a meltdown, to borrow a word from the nuclear age. Service and timekeeping essentially fell apart. If you plan a trip which includes the Katy Railroad of this era, be certain that your time travel provider does not book any close connections.

From the pages of the Official Guide, May 1957

Frisco Lines heraldMissouri-Kansas-Texas Ry. herald

The Texas Special
The Bluebonnet

St. Louis-San Francisco Ry. (Frisco Lines)
Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R. (Katy Lines)
April 28, 1957

Through Sleeper New York-San Antonio
3 Connecting Train Number (Pennsylvania RR) 4
7 00P Dp 0.0 New York, NY (Penna. Sta.) (EST) C R Ar 7 55A
R 8 23P Dp 85.9 North Philadelphia, PA C R Ar D 6 15A
7 33A Dp 630.2 Columbus, OH (EST) C R Ar 7 08P
2 20P Ar 1050.6 St. Louis, MO (CST) C R Dp 10 30A
Through Sleeper Washington-San Antonio
1 Connecting Train Number (Baltimore & Ohio) 2
6 30P Dp 0.0 Washington, DC (EST) C R Ar 6 30A
7 30A Dp 543.9 Cincinnati, OH (EST) C R Ar 5 35P
1 00P Ar 882.0 St. Louis, MO (CST) C R Dp 9 45A
The Texas Special
1 Train Number 2
Daily Miles (St. Louis-San Francisco Ry.) Services Daily
5 40P Dp 0.0 St. Louis, MO (Union Station) (CST) C R Ar 8 00A
5 50P 3.3 Tower Grove, MO C 7 42A
6 01P 10.1 Webster Groves, MO C X 7 27A
RF 7 50P 110.7 Rolla, MO C DF 5 37A
8 02P Ar 119.2 Newburg, MO (Ft. Leonard Wood via bus) C Dp 5 22A
8 06P Dp Ar 5 16A
RF 9 23P 181.9 Lebanon, MO C DF 4 01A
10 30P Ar 239.3 Springfield, MO C R Dp 3 00A
10 45P Dp Ar 2 45A
RF11 16P 269.9 Aurora, MO C DF 2 11A
F11 35P 283.0 Monett, MO C F 1 55A
F12 03A 310.8 Neosho, MO (Fort Crowder) C DF 1 24A
N Ar 349.1 Afton, OK Dp N
(Missouri-Kansas-Texas)
N Dp 360.7 Vinita, OK Ar N
2 10A Ar 425.3 Muskogee, OK C M Dp 11 30P
The Bluebonnet
21 Train Number (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) 22
9 40P Dp 0.0 Kansas City, MO (CST) C R Ar 7 59A
10 30P 42.3 Paola, KS C 7 09A
F11 41P 119.8 Erie, KS C F 5 45A
12 01A Ar 136.0 Parsons, KS C Dp 5 25A
12 15A Dp Ar 5 10A
F12 30A 150.3 Oswego, KS C F 4 47A
F12 41A 159.6 Chetopa, KS C F 4 36A
1 16A 188.4 Vinita, OK C 4 05A
1 40A 213.1 Pryor, OK C F 3 42A
F 2 02A 237.5 Wagoner, OK C 3 16A
2 20A Ar 253.0 Muskogee, OK C Dp 3 00A
1 Continuing Train Number 2
3 00A Dp 425.3 Muskogee, OK Ar 10 55P
4 09A 487.7 McAlester, OK C M 9 44P
F 4 50A 531.3 Atoka, OK C F 8 59P
5 25A 563.1 Durant, OK C 8 28P
5 55A Ar 582.6 Denison, TX C M Dp 8 05P
31 Connecting Train Number (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) 32
6 40A Dp 0.0 Denison, TX C M Ar 7 20P
7 20A 24.8 Whitesboro, TX C 6 30P
10 05A Ar 129.3 Wichita Falls, TX (CT) C Dp 3 45P
1 Dallas/San Antonio Section 2
6 20A Dp 582.6 Denison, TX C M Ar 7 40P
7 15A 634.7 Greenville, TX C 6 38P
F 7 57A 672.7 Garland, TX C F 5 58P
8 12A 685.0 Highland Park, TX X 5 43P
8 29A Ar 688.9 Dallas, TX C R Dp 5 35P
8 45A Dp Ar 5 15P
F 9 21A 719.8 Waxahachie, TX C F 4 29P
F10 00A 755.0 Hillsboro, TX C F 3 52P
10 45A Ar 788.6 Waco, TX C Dp 3 15P
11 05A Dp Ar 3 00P
11 45A 823.1 Temple, TX C 2 20P
D12 33P 866.4 Georgetown, TX C R 1 22P
1 20P 898.6 Austin, TX C 12 36P
D 1 57P 929.6 San Marcos, TX C R12 02P
D 2 17P 946.4 New Braunfels, TX (See Note) C R11 42A
3 15P Ar 981.7 San Antonio, TX (CST) C R Dp 11 01A
21 Fort Worth/Houston Section 22
6 25A Dp 0.0 Denison, TX (CST) C M Ar 7 45P
RF 7 05A 24.8 Whitesboro, TX C 6 55P
F 7 27A 43.1 Pilot Point, TX C
7 55A 60.7 Denton, TX C 6 05P
M 8 50A Ar 96.5 Fort Worth, TX (Texas & Pacific Station) C R M Dp 5 15P
9 10A Dp M 5 00P
F10 00A 140.4 Itasca, TX C F 3 58P
10 10A Ar 151.0 Hillsboro, TX C Dp 3 48P
M10 55A 184.6 Waco, TX C M 3 10P
Train 1 connects with 21 and 2 with 22 at Waco
11 15A Dp 184.6 Waco, TX C M Ar 2 45P
F 192.2 Hewitt, TX F
F11 33A 197.5 Lorena, TX F 2 19P
F 202.2 Bruceville, TX F
11 44A 204.3 Eddy, TX F 2 10P
F11 55A 211.2 Troy, TX F 2 01P
12 10P 219.1 Temple, TX C 1 50P
F12 24P 226.7 Little River, TX F 1 35P
12 35P 235.9 Holland, TX C 1 24P
12 43P 241.9 Bartlett, TX C 1 15P
1 05P 247.2 Granger, TX C 1 05P
1 16P 258.1 Taylor, TX C 12 50P
Stops 265.8 Coupland, TX (See Note) Stops
1 36P 273.9 Elgin, TX C 12 30P
F 282.8 Sayers, TX F
F 286.4 Dunstan, TX F
2 01P 293.1 Bastrop, TX C 12 01P
F 2 07P 297.5 Hill, TX F11 51A
F 2 12P 301.4 Upton, TX F11 45A
2 20P Ar 308.5 Smithville, TX C M Dp 11 35A
2 30P Dp Ar M11 15A
2 45P 317.4 West Point, TX 11 02A
2 53P 321.5 Plum, TX 10 55A
3 04P 327.4 La Grange, TX C 10 48A
F 3 14P 333.5 Halsted, TX F10 37A
3 25P 340.7 Fayetteville, TX 10 27A
3 42P 352.8 New Ulm, TX 10 13A
3 57P 363.2 Cat Spring, TX 9 59A
4 09P 374.6 Sealy, TX C 9 45A
F 377.4 San Felipe, TX F
4 25P 387.0 Brookshire, TX 9 27A
4 40P 394.9 Katy, TX 9 16A
403.0 Barker, TX F
F 4 53P 405.7 Addicks, TX F 9 03A
5 15P 419.3 Eureka, TX 8 45A
5 30P Ar 423.2 Houston, TX (Main Street Sta.) (CST) C R Dp 8 30A

Train 1 (St. Louis-San Antonio): 26 stops, 21:35, 45.5 MPHTrain 2 (San Antonio-St. Louis): 26 stops, 21:01, 46.7 MPH

Train 21-1 (Kansas City-San Antonio): 25 stops, 17:35, 46.0 MPHTrain 2-22 (San Antonio-Kansas City): 25 stops, 20:58, 38.6 MPH

Train 21 (Denison-Houston): 34 stops, 11:05, 38.2 MPHTrain 22 (Houston-Denison): 33 stops, 11:15, 37.6 MPH


NOTE: All times in this timetable are Standard Time. The following states and localities observe Daylight Savings Time (+1 hour) during the periods noted here. Add one hour to these times to obtain local times while DST is in effect:
District of Columbia (Washington, DC)—April 28 to October 26 [1957], inclusive.
Illinois (numerous communities; make specific inquiry)—April 28 to September 28 or October 26 [1957], by community.
Indiana—April 28 to September 28 [1957], inclusive.
Missouri (St. Louis and suburbs, Rolla)—April 28 to October 26 [1957], inclusive.
Maryland (numerous communities; make specific inquiry)—April 28 to October 26 [1957].
New Jersey—April 28 to October 26 [1957], inclusive.
New York—April 28 to October 26 [1957], inclusive.
Ohio (numerous communities; make specific inquiry)—April 28 to September 28 [1957].
Pennsylvania—April 28 to October 26 [1957], inclusive.
West Virginia (numerous communities; make specific inquiry)—April 28 to September 28 [1957].

NOTE for Trains 21 and 22 at Coupland: "Regular stop", but no timepoint given.

NOTE for Train 2 at New Braunfels: "Regular stop Sunday and holidays, other days to receive passengers for Dallas and scheduled stops beyond."

(St. Louis-San Francisco Ry. Notes)


FRISCO-KATY
Streamlined Diesel Powered


TEXAS SPECIAL

Only One Coupon Reading: "TEXAS SPECIAL ROUTE" FRISCO-M.-K.-T. LINES


No. 1...South Bound

Sleeping Cars:

Washington to Dallas—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms). Car 12. B & O R.R. No. 1.

New York to San Antonio—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms or 10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms). Car 15. Penna. R.R. No. 3.

St. Louis to San Antonio—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms). Car 10.

St. Louis to San Antonio—(1 Drawing-room, 2 Double Bedrooms) Lounge-Observation. Car 11. Every third day a full lounge car without sleeping accommodations is operated in lieu of Car 11.

Dining Cars:

St. Louis to Springfield.

Muskogee to San Antonio.

Lounge-Observation Car:

St. Louis to San Antonio.

Chair-Lounge-Buffet Car:

St. Louis to San Antonio.

Reclining Chair Cars: (Seats Free)

St. Louis to San Antonio.

No. 2...North Bound

Sleeping Cars:

Dallas to Washington—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms). Car 22. B. & O. R.R. No. 2.

San Antonio to New York—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms or 10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms). Car 25. Penna. R.R. No. 4.

San Antonio to St. Louis—(14 Roomettes, 4 Double Bedrooms) Car 20.

San Antonio to St. Louis—(1 Drawing-room, 2 Double Bedrooms) Lounge-Observation. Car 21. Every third day a full lounge car without sleeping accommodations is operated in lieu of Car 21.

Dining Cars:

San Antonio to Muskogee.

Springfield to St. Louis.

Lounge-Observation Car:

San Antonio to St. Louis.

Chair-Lounge-Buffet Car:

San Antonio to St. Louis.

Reclining Chair Cars: (Seats Free.)

San Antonio to St. Louis.


(Missouri-Kansas-Texas Lines Notes)

SLEEPING, CHAIR AND DINING CARS—Southbound

No. 1-21-1. STREAMLINER TEXAS SPECIAL.

Lounge Car...[11] St. Louis to San Antonio via Dallas—1 Drawing-room, 2 Bedrooms and Observation-Lounge. (Every third day, full lounge car without sleeping accommodations is operated in lieu of car 11.)

Sleeping cars...[10] St. Louis to Dallas-San Antonio, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms.

[12] Washington to Dallas via St. Louis, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms (on B. & O. No. 1 to St. Louis).

[15] New York to San Antonio, via St. Louis, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms or 10 Roomettes, 6 Bedrooms (on Penna. No. 3 to St. Louis).

Dining Cars...St. Louis to Springfield.

Muskogee to San Antonio via Dallas.

Chair Cars...St. Louis to San Antonio via Dallas.

Kansas City to San Antonio via Dallas (off No. 21 at Muskogee).

Denison to Houston via Fort Worth (on No. 21).

Denison to Wichita Falls (on No. 31 from Denison).

Coach-Lounge-Buffet Car...St. Louis to San Antonio via Dallas.

Meals...Breakfast at Fort Worth, lunch at Waco (on No. 21).


No. 21-1-21. THE BLUEBONNET.

Sleeping Car...[73] Kansas City to Dallas, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms (On No. 1 from Muskogee).
Dining Car...Muskogee to San Antonio (on No. 1 from Muskogee).
Meals...Breakfast at Denison or Fort Worth; Lunch at Waco (on No. 21).
Coach-Lounge-Buffet Car...Muskogee to San Antonio via Dallas.
Chair Cars...Kansas City to San Antonio via Dallas (on No. 1 from Muskogee).
Denison to Houston via Fort Worth (on No. 21 from Denison).

SLEEPING, CHAIR AND DINING CARS—Northbound

No. 2-22-2. STREAMLINER TEXAS SPECIAL.

Lounge Car...[21] San Antonio to St. Louis via Dallas—1 Drawing-room, 2 Bedrooms and Observation-Lounge. (Every third day, full lounge car without sleeping accommodations is operated in lieu of car 21.)

Sleeping Cars...[20] San Antonio-Dallas to St. Louis, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms.

[22] Dallas to Washington via St. Louis, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms. (On B. & O. No. 2 from St. Louis.)

[25] San Antonio to New York via St. Louis, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms or 10 Roomettes, 6 Bedrooms. (On Pennsylvania No. 4 to New York.)

Dining Cars...San Antonio to Muskogee via Dallas.

Springfield to St. Louis.

Chair Cars...San Antonio to St. Louis via Dallas.

San Antonio to Kansas City via Dallas. (On No. 2 from San Antonio to Muskogee, No. 22 to Kansas City.)

Houston to Denison via Fort Worth. (On No. 22 from Houston.)

Wichita Falls to Denison. (On No. 32 from Wichita Falls.)

Coach-Lounge-Buffet Car...San Antonio to St. Louis (via Dallas).

Meals...Lunch at Smithville, Dinner at Fort Worth (on No. 22).


Nos. 22-2-22—THE BLUEBONNET.

Sleeping Car...[83] Dallas to Kansas City, 14 Roomettes, 4 Bedrooms. (On No. 22 from Muskogee.)

Dining Car...San Antonio to Muskogee via Dallas.

Chair Cars...San Antonio to Kansas City via Dallas. (On No. 2 to Muskogee, No. 22 Muskogee to Kansas City.)

Houston to Denison via Fort Worth. (On No. 22 from Houston.)

Coach-Lounge-Buffet Car...San Antonio to Muskogee (via Dallas).

All Assigned Cars Shown On These Pages Are Air-Conditioned

Know Your Pullmans

All regularly assigned sleeping cars on Katy Lines are numbered. Car 10, for example, is invariably a 14 Roomette, 4 Bedroom car operating on the Texas Special between St. Louis and Dallas-San Antonio. Reservations are made accordingly.

On these pages sleeping car numbers are featured for your guidance. It is a good idea to check your reservations to be sure your space has been properly assigned.


Famous Meals
A feature of
Katy Dining Car Service!
Breakfast
80c. to $1.00
Luncheon
$1.25 to $2.50
Dinner
$1.25 to $3.65

New management under President William N. Deramus III took a new broom to Katy's troubled front office and managed to staunch the flow of red ink. However, Katy passenger service would forever be affected. Service between Fort Worth, Denison, and Houston would be eliminated (this is the last timetable in my collection showing passenger service to Houston), and Frisco—reportedly disgusted with Katy's persistently poor timekeeping—would pull out of the joint operating agreement for the Texas Special in January 1959. Katy would respond by axing the remnant of The Bluebonnet and repositioning the Texas Special as an all-Katy service from Kansas City to San Antonio via Dallas.