Pine Hill Railroad entertains at the fair

(G.D. Fronabarger ~ Southeast Missourian archive)

The above undated image was published as a mystery photograph in the Southeast Missourian in 2004.

Several readers replied to our appeal for information, identifying the man driving the locomotive as Jeff Jeffries of Piedmont, Missouri. It was said he and his wife, Maude, brought their "Pine Hill Railroad" to Arena Park during the SEMO District Fair in the 1950s. Another wrote in that Jeffries operated his train at Capaha Park.

I was able to confirm at least part of those explanations recently, when I spotted a small story published in the Southeast Missourian on Aug. 27, 1958.

MINIATURE RAILROAD TO BE AT CAPE FAIR

A railroad will come to the District Fair. Officials announced that the Pine Hill Railroad, a complete steam railway with locomotive, tender and three passenger cars will be located in the grove across from the Arena Building.

The locomotive is 6 feet long and burns coal. It will pull cars carrying children and adults on a large oval of 12-inch gauge track. It is owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.B. ("Jeff") Jeffries of Piedmont and has proved popular with youngsters and grown-ups at other fairs and celebrations.

A second article followed on Sept. 11, 1958:

ACTUAL RAILROAD TRAIN MAKES ROUNDS AT DISTRICT FAIR

All through the spring, summer and fall months the park picnic shelters are hard pressed, in use as gathering sports for family picnics and the like, but now during Fair Week one has been elevated to the position of train depot, filled constantly with parents waiting the departure and arrival of a train whose happy occupants circle the tracks in a miniature train that stops only when the engineer calls out, "Caape Giraardeauu."

This little coal burner with its four cars is engineered by its owner, A.B. ("Jeff") Jeffries of Piedmont, who is indeed having as good a time as his riders. Mr. Jeffries related that the train is a hobby with him, bought since his retirement as ... (the Pine Hill) drive-in theater owner. At his farm, the Pine Hill Ranch, he keeps the train on tracks that completely encircle the farm pond. There it provides a great treat for his grandchildren as do his ponies and horses, which Mr. Jeffries raises. "We don't spoil our grandchildren a bit," he said with a laugh.

The engine carries 160 pounds of steam and is really "hand fired" — one lump at a time. However, it does manage to consume about eight bucketfuls of coal a day and makes the run on 12-inch wide tracks.

The train is in strictly professional hands with a retired engineer, William Slayton of Indiana, as the assistant. Mr. Slayton worked with the Southern Pacific and C.I. & L. railroads for a total of 26 years. He assists the youngsters in getting on and off and doubles as a ticket agent in the absence of Mr. Jeffries' brother-in-law, Bob Zallee, also of Piedmont. He is a retired photographer.

Mrs. (Maude) Jeffries was on hand Sunday but had to return home for the week since she has been pressed back into duty this fall as a teacher. She is expected back over the weekend.

Above the ticket stand are prices for both children and adults, and a great number of the latter are also aboard for rides. Mr. Jeffries concluded that the interview really wouldn't be complete unless the reporter took a ride — so she did.

I found a second photograph I believe was taken by G.D. Fronabarger at the same time as the one above. Neither are dated, but I believe he may have taken both in 1958 at Arena Park during the fair.

(G.D. Fronabarger ~ Southeast Missourian archive)