Columbus Interlocking - 3-Way Crossing - SLSF Carthage Subdivision, MP 343.5, Afton Sub, MP 147.7

Columbus Interlocking - 3-Way Crossing - SLSF Carthage Subdivision, MP 343.5, Afton Subdivision, MP 147.7, MKT Joplin Branch, MP 418.7 - Columbus, KS

Very rare 3-way crossing at a single point between Frisco's Carthage Subdivision, Afton Subdivision and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Joplin Branch.

The Carthage Subdivision an between Pierce City, MO and Neodesha, KS. The Afton Subdivision runs between Ft. Scott, KS. and Afton, OK - Linking Kansas City, MO with Tulsa, OK. The Katy line ran between and Joplin, MO linking it to their north-south main line at Parsons, KS.

The diamond is the only surviving example in the United States. There was a 3-way diamond crossing on the Pennsylvania Railroad in Pennsylvania. The only other known example was in Hamburg, Germany. That one was destroyed during World War II. It was not rebuilt.

The diamond and caboose SLSF 1701 had been on display in Columbus City Park. They have been relocated and are currently on display at Columbus Museum, Inc. The museum address is 100 South Tennessee Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725.

The museum is adjacent to the Afton Subdivision south of the Carthage Subdivision. It is 4 blocks east of the Cherokee County Courthouse.

Edit 1/19/2024: Added subdivisions, mile posts and updated narrative on former and current location of 3-way diamond and caboose.
MKD

 

Columbus Interlocking Tower - 3-Way Crossing - SLSF Carthage Subdivision, MP 343.5, Afton Subdivision, MP 147.7, and MKT Joplin Branch, MP 418.7 - Columbus, KS

The Columbus Interlocking Tower in 1907

Tower sat on the northeast quadrant of the interlocking junction.

Track on the upper left is the north-south Afton Subdivision. On the lower right it is the lower track.

Track at the bottom center is the east-west Carthage Subdivision. This track continues to the right edge of the image opposite the tower foundation.

Track on the lower left is the MKT Joplin Branch. On the right edge it is the second track up from bottom.

View looking northeast.

Edit 1/19/2024: Added bold post header, updated and expanded narrative.
MKD

 

Columbus Interlocking Plant - Tower Diagram Plan - Northern Division - Bridge and Building Diagram Book

Here's a bit of dimension data for the interlocker and supporting structures.

They are taken from an old Northern Division B&B book.