IMEX Trucks/prototypical?

This is only my second post on the prototype forum in a year. Anyway, I model Frisco, and IMEX makes a four-pack in Frisco logo (along with many other lines/fallen flags–one set being on ebay currently). They look okay–suspect will go for more than I’m willing to pay–IMEX still makes them in Frisco logo. My question is, how common was it for the actual railroad to have trucks in their logo? It seems that most of the transportation to/from the trains (we’re talking transition era here–the trucks are 40’s–50’s) would be done by the specific vendors, e.g. post office, food vendors, other ground transport companies, etc. rather than the particular railroad. My memory from the 60’s in Missouri doesn’t halp me much here, but I don’t recall seeing a lot of Frisco trucks running around much. Other than transporting cargo/supplies for the loco/train itself, what would these trucks have been transporting? Sorry if this seems too basic a question, and I might just go ahead and get some of these trucks anyway, as I think it is okay to get items just because they may look “cool” on the layout, but this issue does raise my curiosity. Thanks.

Jim

I don’t know about the Frisco specifically, however the CN and several of the traction companies offered LCL or package services that included pickup and delivery similar to what we might think of UPS today or REA in its day as a multi rail organization back in the '30’s and '40’s. While today rail road labeled trucks would, today, probably be maintenance of way, primarily. they could be very common in different service in the '30s through the '50s.

Will

Larger railroads had fleets of trucks and tractor trailers. Many of the Morning sun books have photos. PRR, NYC, and C&O I know for sure.

In the 1920’s through 1940’s, until the government stepped in and made them divest, several railroads owned airlines, buses, and delivery trucks. Trans-World Airlines was started by a consortium of railroads, as was the Greyhound bus lines. I have several videos showing railroad-owned delivery trucks in use during those years.

Looking for some photographic evidence, I came across these pictures of the Frisco Truck Tansfer in Springfield MO

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/jim_steele/apr2002/frisco_terminal01.jpg

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/jim_steele/apr2002/frisco_terminal02.jpg

Rick

Edit: More Pics

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/jim_steele/apr2002/frisco_transportation_gmcs.jpg

Rick:

Thanks for the pics. Looks like 40’s trucks there, for sure, so suspect this might be why I didn’t remember them from the 60’s.

Jim