Just a quick post to all of you Southeast Missouri guys. The MoPac track from the Malone and Highway 61 intersection in Sikeston to the end of the line east of I-55 has been removed. I'm not sure how far west they are going to rip up the track but I hope they stop before the depot. Sad, sad, sad...............................
Re: Not really Frisco related........... Thanks for the information, Tim. I figure since the MoP interchanged with the Frisco at Sikeston, it's a valid post. It looked like the track around I-55 was still intact a couple of weeks ago when we went to/from Memphis over spring break, but I was driving and didn't gawk too much. In the 70s and early 80s, we spent a LOT of Saturdays at the Sikeston airport visiting Grandpa while he either worked on his Stinson Flying Station Wagon or gave flight instruction for the Joliffs, along with eating at THE original Lambert's Cafe. Between the airplanes and the MoP line just to the south, it was perfect for a kid. And if we were lucky, we'd drive down Malone to the Tradewinds flea market and get to see the Frisco (and old Scott Co. Milling Co. / Gristo Feeds elevator). Best Regards,
Re: Not really Frisco related........... Chris - I assume you had some of those good "Throwed rolls" at Lamberts? Ken
Re: Not really Frisco related........... You bet! Rolls-a-plenty and all the fried okra a kid could want. If we didn't eat there, we'd make the 30 minute flight over New Madrid Bend to Reelfoot Lake and eat at Gooch's Restaurant (just across the highway from a sod cropdusting airstrip) or Reelfoot Lake State Airpark. Good times.
Re: Not really Frisco related........... UP is pulling up the track back to Dexter. Sad thing is UP had planned on upgrading the line and sharing the BNSF (Frisco) back to Rockview (Chaffee). This was going to be done in order to speed up service between Dexter and Scott City for UP. But several communities objected to the plan.
Re: Not really Frisco related........... Indeed, perhaps Tim can clarify the details, but I know the wye track connecting the SL-SF and SSW at Rockview was upgraded on the presumption that the UP would begin using the old River Division. As I understand it, some of the Chaffee folk were worried about automobile driver complacency from years of expecting all freight trains to stop and change crews (even with the crossings at Yoakum Ave. and Gray Ave. now protected with crossing gates).
Re: Not really Frisco related........... The wye at Rockview was going to be upgraded anyway (with concrete ties no less) for the increased coal train activity. The UP runs coal trains from Illmo to Rockview and then south to Lilbourn (where the Cotton Belt crossing was taken out) and back on the BNSF. From there it uses the old Cotton Belt line to the power plant in New Madrid. The coal trains were being routed from Illmo to Malden and then to Lilbourn and New Madrid, all on the Cotton Belt line. I am not sure if the old CB line from Lilbourn to Malden has been taken out yet. The UP/CB line from Illmo south sees (saw) a lot of traffic to and from Dexter,Mo. The plan was to keep all of the northbound trains on the UP/CB line and re-route all of the southbound trains at Rockview to Sikeston and then west on the old Iron Mt.(MP) line to Dexter. After lots and lots and lots of complaints from communities along the route, the re-route plan was dropped. They are now going to alleviate the traffic flow problem by adding double track along most of the line to Dexter. Some of it was already double track. That's how I remember it. Someone please add needed corrections to this info.
Re: Not really Frisco related........... I believe you are correct about the way trains would be routed. It would also serve as a detour in case of a accident. The Lilbourn line was still there when I went thru in September. UP was using it to store autoracks.
