Cliff Pettis

From Large-scale Model Railroading, p 6

Cliff Pettis of Houston, Texas introduced a low cost line of car and locomotive parts, all in 1-1/2" scale. This line changed hands many times during the thirty or more years that it was available; originally starting as "Texas Railways" which became "Miller's Backyard Railroads", followed by "Bethlehem Pattern Supply", and finally, "Texas Railway Supply Inc". It is felt that this line started many enthusiasts in 1-1/2" scale modeling.

From "The History of the Southwestern Live Steamers"

Prior to the formation of the club, scale railroaders abounded in Texas with tracks around their homes utilizing several different gauges. Some of these were Harold Timm of Dallas, Ces Beck of San Antonio, John Enders of Austin, Cliff Pettis of Houston, Vernon Greschel of Houston, Allen Guiberson and Lou Conklin of Dallas. Tracks were being planned by Henry Blossom of Wimberley and Roy Pickard of Priddy.

Girder bridge at HALS

Jim Cash sent this photo to the HALS group after he pressure washed and painted this girder bridge.

Pete Greene commented:

Looks like brand new. Brings back memories of when I used to run across that bridge when it was nearly new on Cliff Pettis' railroad located on the San Jacinto River back in the 1980's.

A girder bridge from Cliff Pettis' former railroad on the San Jacinto River. Currently located at Houston Area Live Steamers. Pressure washed and painted by Jim Cash, 20 July 2019. Photo by Jim Cash.

Gallery

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  Cliff Pettis routing the trestle at Henry Blossom's track at Wimberley, Texas. Ces Beck is the first passenger behind Cliff. Photo by Pete & Donna Green.

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  John Enders driving the Golden Spike on the Austin & Texas Central Railroad at Manor, Texas, 1974. Paul King kneels beside him. Also in the photo are Carolyn Enders Balkum, Ces Beck, Everett Adcock, Louise Adcock, Cliff Pettis, unknown, and Lee Balkum. Photo from Stephen Balkum collection.