Freight service in Central MO

[anonymous]

Is there a record or date of the last train that ran on the Lexington Branch between Sedalia MO and Lexington MO. I have a 1973 map that indicates active service south from Lexington MO to only Sweet Springs MO. Also, does anyone know if there are photos where the Lexington Branch crossed the Illinois Central Gulf in Higginsville MO?

Respectfully, Sedalia 1963

[R. D. LaVoise]

Sedalia 1963,

The line between Myrick and Sedalia was taken out of service in three pieces.

1966 – abandoned Sedalia (LX Jct) to Sweet Springs
1982 – abandoned Sweet Springs to Lexington (upper)

I am not sure when the last section Myrick to Lexington was abandoned, it was in place still in the mid-80s.

The ICG (former GM&O, nee C&A, now KCS) crossed over the Lexington district on a bridge east of Shelby Street. In my travels through the area I never stopped to take a photo of the overpass. I believe this is now filled in and hard to locate unless you know where the MoP ROW was.

SIde note — if anyone has information on the Higginsville Switch railroad i would be interested in learning more. This was a shortline serving several coal mining operations on the south-southwest side of Higginsville. The line connected with both the Alton and the MoP.

[anonymous]

Thank you very much for answering my questions. If a person enters Higginsville from the east driving west on Missouri highway 20, you actually can see the right-of-way just before reaching the intersection of the Missouri 20 bypass and the entrance to the Confederate cemetery. Trees line up in almost a straight line where the rails where. According to rough data and some worn maps, the railroad bridge crossed I-70 just east of the I-70 Mo13 junction close to Mulkey Creek. Thanks again for taking time to answer my question.

Respectfully
Sedalia 1963

[Author]

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