History of the Northview & Frisco Railroad

Why would anyone build a railroad?

Although I did not come from a railroad family, I have been fascinated by trains in general and steam engines in particular since I received my first train set when I was 2 years old.  At the age of 7, my family took a trip to the Agricultural Hall of Fame at Bonner Springs, Kansas where a live steam club had a track on the grounds at that time.  This was the first time that I saw real live steam locomotives, large enough to ride on, that people could own and operate.  I of course wanted one in the worst way, but that was out of the question.  It would be another 5 years before train construction began...

“In the Beginning…”

The Northview & Frisco Railroad traces its roots back to 1982, when my Dad and I began building our first 12” gauge diesel locomotive.  This engine was completed in 1986 and given the number 86.  A four wheel work gondola was built in the fall of 1986, and the locomotive and car were operated on a short section of track on my parent’s property south of Marshfield, Missouri.  During this time, I also cast wheels and truck frames out of aluminum for a High School shop project that was never completed.  Mainly due to the fact that we bought a 1914 Case Steam Engine in 1987, progress on the train came to a standstill.  The track was dismantled in 1990 when the land was sold, and everything was put into storage.

The Frisco & Oak Grove Railway (1998-2002)

In 1990 when the train went into storage, I was just getting out of college and starting my first full-time job.  Over the next few years, I was preoccupied with other things (work, marriage, etc.) and #86 sat unused.  Just as significant, I lacked a yard big enough to really build a track long enough to be worth the trouble.  Things turned around in 1998 when my wife and I bought a house with a ˝ acre lot in Marshfield, Missouri.  Although I considered selling #86 and going into a more common size (7 ˝ inch gauge), I finally decided to keep the locomotive and build in 12 inch gauge.  Planning started in late 1998, and a small scale enginehouse was built in spring of 1999.  Over the next few years, the track was expanded to a 400’ loop with a transfer table, several sidetracks and another stall added on to the enginehouse.  Much rolling stock was built while on Oak Grove Street, including a second diesel (#2001).  The highlight was purchasing an antique steam locomotive, hauling it home from Pennsylvania, and restoring it over the winter of 2001-02.  The steamer was numbered #103, and is easily the most popular locomotive.  In 2002, we made the decision to dismantle the railroad so we could sell the house and find a bigger, better place for a new railroad.  The last day of operation for the Frisco & Oak Grove Railway was July 4th, 2002.  The track was dismantled over the next few weeks.

 The Northview & Frisco Railroad (established 2003)

In January of 2003, we purchased the land where the Northview & Frisco is now located.  Construction on the railroad began in April 2003, while house construction started in August of 2004.  We moved into our house in May of 2005.  The railroad reached Cedar Flats in 2004 and Northview in 2005.  Current progress on the N&F RR is documented elsewhere on this website.

And it Continues...

So what does the future hold?  There are only two ways to find out - check out this website every so often or come out for a visit!  We welcome visitors anytime we are around to give a tour. If you would like to visit our little railroad, click on the "Contact Information" page to email me and we will arrange a time for you to come out and take a train ride.  Experience Ozark Mountain Railroading for yourself!