Builder: Southwest Missouri RR
Description: Wood interurban
Secondary Use: Granary
Type: Interurban Cars
Year: 1913
Retired from Service: 1938
Acquired by the Museum: 1990
Note: Fair condition, currently tarped for protection
Fund: 861

Southwest Missouri Railroad 39

From Missouri

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History

The Southwest Missouri Railroad was a regional interurban system with about 100 route miles in the tri-state region headquartered in Webb City, MO and extending into Kansas and Oklahoma. The principal city served was Joplin, MO. The SWM, built during the 1890’s, was one of the very first interurbans in the U.S., and its development was widely publicized. In addition to passenger service, the railroad provided freight service serving lead and zinc mines and smelters in the area. Until the 1920’s the railroad carried a large volume of miners and shoppers. The SWM built many of its cars in its own shops. The Southwest Missouri built No. 39 in its shops at Webb City, MO in 1913. The railroad replaced most of its passenger service with buses in 1935, and ran its last rail passenger service in 1938 on a line to Picher, OK. When the Southwest Missouri ended its interurban service, Walter Swalley, a farmer near Baxter Springs, MO. Purchased cars 39 and 49. The cars formed two sides of a granary until fire insurance rules required grain storage in nonflammable structures. Mr. Swalley offered the two cars for preservation. In 1990, No. 39 came to Seashore, and No. 49 went to the Oklahoma Trolley Association (now, Oklahoma Trolley Museum) in McAlester, OK. No. 39 came to Seashore without trucks, other mechanical equipment or seats.

Technical Information

Seats: 48
Control: M
Brakes: WABCO
Compressor: CP-27

Trucks

Number: 2
Manufacturer: Taylor
Model: TA-70MCB

Motor

Number: 4
Manufacturer: General Electric
Model: 70

Weight and Dimensions

Length: 44’ 2.00"
Width: 8’ 7.00"
Height: 12’ 9.00"
Weight: 43600 lbs.