The following is a joint statement released by Watco and KCS. To read it, you'll need Adobe Acrobat (it's a .pdf file): Watco/KCS joint statement
Guess I had not followed this closely enough! Did not know it was an out of service line. This is good news for me. I always want to see the rails kept in place. To generate jobs and revenues. Instead of a trail that eats revenues... Boxcab E50
O.K., so that is good news Of course, any rails that can be kept in service and USED is good news! Harold
From the rumors here in K.C it,s about to happen agian. Keep your eye on the former Gateway Western Line from K.C to St. Louis
No it,s not out of service the KCS currently runs it's east and west pigs trains for the csx. It used to run BNSF trains atleast 3 times per week but the contract ran out in december. KCS was not intrested in renewing is what the story was. The line also had a Mill street ( former Gateway Way Western train) but when Watco took over the Mill Street yard that train went by the wayside as well, now only 1 train remains. The hirail trucks have been busy since early march, as told by the dispatcher the occupants have been Watco officals.
What sort of potential on-line customer base is available? Hopefully, enough to make this venture profitable? Boxcab E50
Two things: One, Welcome to Trainboard, foamer! Two, please keep us updated on this if you would. My question: if KCS is so gosh-darned intent on becomeing a true NAFTA railroad (as evidenced by the finalization of the deals to purchase TFM), why would they give up on this stretch of track, unless they have an alternate route to the Chicago area????? Were they to give this up to Watco, the only alternate would be to route things up the IC&E. And I know that ever since the Rock ISland shutdown in 1980, KCS has been eying a route north of KC- please recall the bidding war between KCS and C&NW for the former Rock's Spine Line to the Twin Cities (which C&NW eventually got, thus sealing the fate of the former CGW mainout of KC to Des Moines, Oelwein and Minneapolis via a roundabout route. KC-TC is straighter on the Spine Line).
Sorry about getting back to you boxcab, yes it was former GM&O trackage, I also belive the IC, C&A, and Alton all owned it at one time or another. I have bricks from the slater depot with "ALTON" cast into them. I belive this line has one of the oldest steel span bridges in america at glasgow missouri, first constructed in 1879 and then rebuilt in 1900. The span still has "C&A" stamped in the steel supports along with "1900". It's pretty neat to think after all these years it's still holding strong. I belive there are only 7 remaining depots on the line from K.C to Roodhouse where the line splits (one to Springfield ILL. and then to Chicago and the other to St. Louis). Another history pic told is that in present day Independence at the Selsa Rd and 39th Street area there used to a depot that was called the Glendale station and it had to have its name changed to Selsa Station because of Jessy James robbing it so much no one would stop at the station. I don't know if that has ever been proven but it sure is intresting to think that the same line has been there so long.
As if the news could get any worse!, just heard that there will only be 1 train every other day and the mexico local will be no more after friday. Looks like the end is near, I think I'll have to find another place to see and photograph the KCS. Calgon take me away!
Does this mean that Watco will indeed be coming in? And their operations will be this sparse? Sure doesn't sound profitable! Boxcab E50
Haven't heard anything new since friday, but I did happen to see MOW installing new rail and ties in two industry tracks. I think the KCS has not served these industries in years!!!!. Sure seems strange that they're spending money on a line there going to get rid of.
Does sound strange. Out here, BN was well known for doing this deliberately, on lines they wanted to abandon. This would skew the books, so there was an awful looking, phoney loss. Apply. Abandon. Quickly salvage the new ties for use elsewhere..... Boxcab E50
I just heard that Watco (Kaw River Railroad) will now switch the BNSF Kearney branch. It also servs Liberty mostly plastic and paper. I belive the line is about 30 miles in length. Foamer
Sorry I have been gone so long. I had to spend two weeks in Shreveport, anyway I have it on good authority that the Watco deal is now off as far as the former Gateway is concerned. I wonder what the KCS will do now with this old line. The trains have now been cut down to 6 days and is headed for 1 every other day.
Wonder what happened? Anyhow, it would seem to me that the more they downgrade this line, and service, the less attractive it might become for sale, or lease. Boxcab E50
