Anyone here with sharp eyes? (squinting at an old slide)

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

This slide of Kansas City Union Station has a Wabash billboard in the background -- can someone read what it says? I can't quite make it out (squint, scratch head, squint).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Duplicate-Slide ... SS:US:1123

One thing I have figured out is the Alco switcher belongs to the KC Terminal Ry, which according to Wikipedia is still in business (1906 - present).

As for the Rock Island E6, I suppose it is either from the Twin Star Rocket (KC - Minn/St.P), or the Texas Rocket (KC - Dallas).

(Edited to add image)

wesp · **Posted:** Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:43 pm

Looks like Go WABASH - Heart of the Continent"

Wesley

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

Thanks Wesley. That makes sense.

Thomas Travis · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:39 pm **Posts:** 78

GO WABASH

HEART OF TODAY

CONVIENENT

Best I can do with my poor eyesight

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

My first guess was -

"Heart of town"
Convenient"

But really can't tell.

sbhunterca · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:58 am **Posts:** 728

Quote:

My first guess was -
"Heart of town"
Convenient"
But really can't tell.

That's what I think I'm seeing after playing with brightness and contrast.

Steve Hunter

David A. Vago · **Posted:** Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:47 am

Almost there - but I think it reads "convenience" - as in the full descriptive object, "Heart of Town Convenience."

DV

sbhunterca · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:58 am **Posts:** 728

It's really hard to see the last few letters, but I'm pretty sure the last word is only ten letters, not eleven.

Hopefully, whoever wins the auction will be able to see it clearly on the slide, without pixellation getting in the way, and post the correct wording here!

Best of luck with it, FLO!

Steve Hunter

wesp · **Posted:** Mon Jun 10, 2013 10:28 am

I agree with the revised suggestion. The image appears to be a guy driving a car, so it makes sense that the location at the heart of town is convenient.

Wesley

Stephen S. Syfrett · **Posted:** Mon Jun 10, 2013 7:46 pm

Looking at both images provided (and after many years of deciphering grainy aerial photographs) I believe I'd have to agree with Mr. Vago.

In context, "GO WABASH - HEART OF TOWN CONVENIENCE"

As opposed to "GO WABASH - HEART OF TOWN - CONVENIENT"

The former seems to agree better with the advertising image of a harried driver trying to find his way downtown, and suggests that if you ride the WABASH it will get you where you want or need to be, hassle free! One could argue the latter does the same, but it doesn't flow the same.

Aside from that, the space between the second "E" and what is perceived by some as the final letter "T" of "CONVENIENT" is too great. It would make the "N" abnormally wide for no rational reason. The last letter doesn't look like a "T" to me, but rather an "E".

My 2 cents...

I hope we find out for sure!

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

What is interesting in this discussion Lucien, is the sad fact that the billboard was not preserved. Boy, wouldn't it have looked great at some rail museum where passengers on the lines trains could have looked at it as they passed by? Hmmm, wonder if it could be replicated? Anyone up to it?

Les

Becky Morgan · **Joined:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:22 pm **Posts:** 495

I finally looked at this on a larger, sharper screen and agree--the last word is "convenience."

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

It looks like there is still a billboard sign there today. Modern day photo is here:
http://johnsigrid.blogspot.com/2012/03/ ... ation.html