Nostalgia & History > CNW in Missouri

ChIcago North Western gained access to Kansas City in 1968 when it merged with the Chicago Great Western, using the "Diagonal" line from Des Moines via St Joseph Missouri and Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1983 CNW acquired the Rock Island's former "Spine Line" that, although in rough shape at that point, provided a better path to KC. The former CGW line was abandoned north of St Joseph in late 1984 and the remaining portion south t KC two years later. 
Rick Morgan
1. With the abandonment of the CGW line to Des Moines north of St Joseph in 1984, all that remained was the St Joe to KC portion, which included trackage rights on Santa Fe (Bee Creek Jct to St Joseph) and Union Pacific (ex-MP, Leavenworth to Kansas City). CNW still operated a KC-St Joe local out of Dearborn, MO with the train typically running north to St Joe on one day and then south to KC on another. The date is 31 Dec 1985 as GP38-2 4623 idles by the brick depot at Dearborn with a train brought down from St Joseph. The tracks were abandoned in 1986 and the depot is now gone as well. At one time the small Platte County town of Dearborn had three railroads, the CGW being joined by the Rock Island (to 1929) and Kansas City, Clay County & St Joseph interurban. (1933).
2. SD40-2 6853 begins a reverse move at the Ohio Street yard in Kansas City on 26 Dec 1985. The former CGW facility was closed after the Rock Island line was acquired.
3. Two SD40-2s (6895, 6919) move freight westbound on the former RI route at Elmira, MO on 21 October 1994. The portion from Polo to Kansas City had long been operated as two main tracks in conjunction with the Milwaukee Road. In 2022 this arrangement is continued by Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific.

---

---

---

4. CNW SD60 8034 teams with Santa Fe C30-7 8128 as it approaches Birmingham with westbound freight on 15 Sept 1994.
5. A westbound grain train nears Lawson on 15 Nov 1994 behind C40-8 8501, SD60 8001 and SD50 7001.

Rick Morgan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/22 06:30 by RJM29.

---

---

When the CNW purchased the Spine Line, you mention the CNW then abandoned the former CGW yard.   What yard did they use after abandoning the former CGW yard?   

Nice shots!

RC Lundgren
Elgin, TX

Regarding a KC yard after Ohio Street was closed, from what I remember CNW didn't have a yard of their own but typically went to whatever yard they were delivering cars to. They also ran what was described as a 'shuttle train' out of the small yard in Liberty and frequently parked locomotives between trains in the West Bottoms near Old Union Interlocking. 

Rick Morgan

Rick, thanks for putting these on, great photos on. Brings back lots of memories. The CNW shut down the Ohio Ave yard DEC 1 1983. Southbound trains were pre blocked or a solid train to various railroads in KC. When the BN took over the Frisco the CNW filed a hardship with the ICC?? about making transfers to BN, so they worked out an agreement for the old Q (BN) KC Yard that sat next to KCT Track 79, this became their new "YARD" basically 2 tracks, which were very efficient. SB trains with 2 or more blocks usually went to the KC yard and delivered from there, they usually ran a KCS on the headend of a 2 block train, deliver the KCS portion from freight line and then go to the next destination. SB trains were usually called late afternoon at Des Moines with arrival in KC after midnight. In bound transfers went to the KC yard usually late morning or afternoons, with the Santa Fe usually ran out of Argentine to DM. Some transfers were at Bridge 19 and then north, some  short transfers were taken to Liberty and set out for a NB, and most of the time bring back cars that were being held by another rr. Conditions changed as needed, but this how we worked from late 83 till the unfortunate merger with the up. KCRW287



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/22 07:45 by KCRW287.

Dearborn in the Winter of 1986-87, soon after the rails were lifted. (My photo).

Art House



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/22 08:33 by aehouse.

---

Great shots and interesting story on the lines.
Gary

Very nice bunch!

JG

aehouse Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dearborn in the Winter of 1986-87, soon after the
> rails were lifted. (My photo).
>
> Art House

Looks as if someone 'lifted' the C&NW herald, as well!

Pat from Littleton, Colorado

aehouse Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dearborn in the Winter of 1986-87, soon after the
> rails were lifted. (My photo).
>
> Art House

The C&NW herald on the building has been 'collected', as well!

Pat from Littleton, Colorado