While poking about in the computer files, I came across this jpg that I created which depicts the alignment of the Rich Hill Branch. When viewed through my jpg browser at 100%, an image of reasonable resolution may be seen. I have shaded blue most of the strip-pit coal mines from which the Memphis Road and the Frisco derived revenue and fuel for their steam locomotives. The coal from these pits came from the Pennsylvanian-aged, Cherokee Group, Mineral Formation coals, which were typically 30”-40” thick, where mined. The line was built during 1880 to tap the coal producing region between the Memphis Road’s mainline at Linton, KS and Rich Hill, MO and Carbon Center, MO. A two-story depot, which was built during 1870 served Linton. The combination station was 40’-2” x 22’-2”. The branch crossed the Haywire at grade Hume, MO, which had a 40’-4” x 22’-2” combination station. The small community at Sprague was served by a 40’-3” x 22’-3” depot. The largest community on the branch Rich Hill had a 58’-3” x 24’-2” combination station. The Rich Hill depot survived the abandonment of the line, and during its later days, it served as part of a grain elevator complex. I believe that during the last 10 years or so, the structure was destroyed by fire. All structures were built during 1880. Carbon Center had no station. Wyes were located at Linton and at Rich Hill. I believe that the Rich Hill wye was located on the SW (compass) side of town. The precise track alignment is difficult to determine in this area. During, the early 1920’s, the branch’s crew operated from Rich Hill, and it made a daily, except Sunday, turn to Linton. Water and coal were available at Rich Hill for fuel. For any passenger riding the mixed, close connections were available with trains 101 and 102. These two trains had the only scheduled stop at Linton. I would imagine that the MP and Haywire offered better accommodations. The line between Rich Hill and Carbon center was retired during 1906 and the line between Linton and Rich Hill was retired during 1926.
Karl, it sure is a pleasure, when you do these little stories. Makes my day. Sometimes I refer back, and review them several times. I think back to the area, and where I have worked around it.
I can add another map to this thread. These are copies from old county plat maps that my mother obtained when she was selling real estate around the greater metro area of Harrisonville, Missouri. I have no idea what these date to, but the Missouri Pacific (as well as Frisco) predecessors are listed. These show the Rich Hill Branch from the Kansas state line east to Rich Hill, and show several coal mining spurs. Note the Frisco line appears to extend east then south of Rich Hill a considerable distance....unfortunately this is where the map copy ends.
