Rail Ferry between Natchez and Vidalia

[mopac]

Hello, I am writing from the UK where I am planning a model railroad involving aspects of the Missouri Pacific in c.1969. In particular, I read on a blog ” the Missouri Pacific RR operated a ferry between Natchez, Miss. and Vidalia, La. between 1965 and 1982. The Natchez & Southern RR operated the ferry until 1965 when it was purchased by the MoPac RR”. I am trying to find some photos or any other information about this ferry but I have drawn a blank. Might any members be able to help me? Thanking you in anticipation.

Eric Davies

[peggyrothschild]

Railfan magazine had an article titled ‘Mopac’s Navy’ in November 1982. There were lots of photos and information. Quick search on eBay shows several available for sale.

Here’s a few images with captions.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=46538

Unfortunately the captions on the service going to the ICG are incorrect. When the MP filed for abandonment cars were given to Midsouth at Alexandria, Louisiana and they took the cars to Natchez where they were given back to the MP. The MP retained a switch engine and crew to switch International Paper and a couple other industries. The Ste Genevieve barge was in bad shape and needed costly repairs (I recall that the hull was thin in places). The west side incline was abandoned first and a few days later the east incline was abandoned effectively ending the last Mopac ferry operations. Once the Midsouth arrangement was inplace the ferry was scrapped.

Midsouth was purposely not shown on the waybills or in the route as they’d been party to the road haul rates but they received a fix amount for each load and empty moved in both directions.

[amosluettgen1665]

Eric, I have some images and track diagrams and such for Natchez ferry that I have collected online. My interest has been in the ferry operation on the M-I at Thomure, but have collected anything I come across.

Please send me your email and I can forward info. There’s another gent on this forum who previously modeled the Thomure operation in HO.

…gregg

[peggyrothschild]

Gregg
Can you post the images here as well?

[amosluettgen1665]

Charlie/Eric – just sent you both an email.

…gregg

[amosluettgen1665]

I have condensed all my notes regarding MoPac & M-I ferry operations (including track diagrams and photos I have found online). These are available in my public Dropbox link located at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/587ioqy5hv2vx7k/AAAoW35WQiCOvnjNQGOuqftDa?dl=0

If any of the material is yours and you do not wish it to be made public, or if it is copyrighted, please advise and I will remove it.

….gregg

[peggyrothschild]

Eric Davies
I’m just wondering if you’ve read these responses and if they have been on any help with your initial question. Several of us have taken time to provide links to images and other information on the ferry operations you asked about.

[mopac]

Gentlemen, your responses to my initial request for information have far exceeded my expectations. It will take some time to digest all the information you have sent me. I am most impressed by your healthy and active Missouri Pacific Historical Society and I really want to thank you for your helpful responses.

Eric

[amosluettgen1665]

Eric, I am eager to see your layout plans as they develop. Please share on the forum.

I am modeling the M-I in Proto:48 and eagerly await Charlie’s new book which is likely to trigger changes in my layout design. I am thinking a lot about representing the ferry ops at Thomure/Little Rock Landing.

…gregg

[bargetanika]

Not MP but possibly of interest:

https://mirc.sc.edu/islandora/object/usc%3A26059

[Bud Moss]

Eric, we can’t always help on a topic, but it is gratifying when we can. And of course feel free to ask additional questions. Jerry

[Reed Hartford]

Eric,
I just saw your post. I took a couple photos in 1977 that may be of interest to you. I tried uploading them to the Bulletin Board but was unsuccessful — I think that one of the files may be too large. I am attaching the smaller file. If you will send me your email address, I will email the large photo file to you. My email address:
[email protected]
Regards,
Jeff Pletcher

[Author]

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