Hi Duane. My family still lives in Haddam and my wife, daughter, and
I visit often being only a few hours away (and in your neck of the
woods). A few weeks ago I drove the route from Haddam north to Odell
and Wymore following the old line. I photographed all evidence of
the line I could find while there was still evidence to be found.
Unortunately even Wymore has become rather decrepit. I am a little
younger than you, so I cannot even remeber seeing a single BN
locomotive go through Haddam. I can only remember hearing them. My
house was only two blocks away from the tracks and I loved the
sound. The only memory of the tracks themselves I have is when my
dad build a little "railroad car" from car and lawnmower parts etc.
We traveled the tracks from Haddam to Morrowille to Cuba. Several
years ago a few friends and I built a new "railroad car" to travel
what remains of the Rock Island (now KYLE) tracks in Mahaska. The
tracks were far to overgrown, so we found out the BNSF schedule on
the former Burlington mainline from KC to Denver in Reynolds,
Nebraska. They only use the track as a return for two locos a day.
We also found out they never ran on weekends, so it worked out well.
We traveled from Reynolds to Chester to what was once known as
Kesterson. It was great fun, even though our car was only made of
woven wire, angle iron, lawn furniture, etc. Of course, I suppose
the premise of doing this is not recommendable as it was relatively
dangerous and illegal. But, it was a very enjoyable experience.
I am glad that the depots in Morrowville and Hanover remain. It is
unfortunate the Haddam depot was demolished in 1997. The way the
situation went down was rather frustrating also. Offers were taken,
one by a relative of mine, but the lowest was accepted because it was
the fastest. The depot was torn down for scrap instead of being
moved across the road and preserved. Saddening as I had many
pleasant memories of playing there as a child. On that topic, it was
also saddening to see the Washington Railroad Museum disband. I had
high hopes for it and don't know exactly why it was dissolved. I
hear it was from lack of participation, but hope it was not lack of
interest. That is one thing I would have liked to have been involved
in if I still lived around there. One good museum does still remain
in the area and they have taken up much of the Washington one's
collection. That is the old Rock Island depot in Fairbury. It is
really nice. I have also visited the 710 at the Haymarket if
Lincoln. It is very fortunate that particular locomotive was saved.
Okay, getting kinda long here. Do you know of anyone still around in
Washington County or elsewhere that would have photos of the line or
especially of Haddam. All the info, pictures, etc. I can find of
Haddam the better. The best item I have found so far is the old
ticket dater die from Haddam. But, I am always looking for all the
info and items I can find. Sorry for the length.
--- In BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com, "Duane Koss" <dak507@p...> wrote:
> Hi Todd,
> I too grew up in Washington, CO. in Washington, KS itself. That
book that you referred is a very good one that covers the Wymore Line
very well with plenty of great photos. I was 8 years old when steam
was pulled from this line. I used to run down to wave at the engine
when passing through and to switch a few cars there. Later, I met the
former CB&Q fireman while I was photographing the ex-SP (Kyle RR)
switch engine leased to the Belleville elevator. This was maybe 1988
to 1990 and he still lives in Belleville, although now retired and
health is failing. He told me that he remember this little boy who
was always out there to wave to them.
> Next a little history still remains....CB&Q 710 is now restored and
resides at the Lincoln Depot as part of the HayMarket District. It
was beautifully restored about 10 years back over at the Mt.
Pleasant, Iowa shop. Washington and Morrowville's depot remain,
although the Washington depot has been modified to be a storage unit.
Several of us back about 1988 went to City Council to try to save it.
The school ended up buying it. I still have an invoice from that
depot for a stove shipped in abut 1956 and a brick from the platform
out front. I have only several photos on a couple locomotives on that
line. One was an SD9 431 (in 1967) which I later got permission to go
to Galesburg to photograph as a BN unit. They brought it out of the
yard for about 15 minutes for me to shoot all I wanted. It helped
being an Explorer Post Advisor for BN, Gibson Yard at the time. I
will post a photo of the SD9 431 at Washington and I believe I have
already posted the depot. To my knowledge the SD9 is still working
for the BNSF yet. Sorry for this long posting... Duane Koss / Blue
Springs, MO / BRHS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Todd
> To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 8:35 PM
> Subject: [BRHSlist] Re: FW: Odell, NE to Concordia, KS
>
>
> Another great way to get at least a little more information about
a
> line or place on a line is to purchase a timetable of that
division.
> I have found my timetable to be very useful in little ways. I do
> believe there is quite a bit of info out there about Concordia
and
> its railroads. There is a site dedicated to the history of Cloud
> County that is particularly useful, though I do not remember it
now.
> I have yet to find Richard Kistler's book on the Wymore
Division.
> Does anyone know where more pictures, hardware, or tickets can be
> found on the Odell to Concordia Branch? I was young enough when
they
> removed the line through my home town of Haddam, Kansas that it
has
> become hard to find info and relics. Any help would be greatly
> appreciated. Thanks.
> -Todd
>
>
>
> --- In BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com, "David E. Lotz" <Dave_Lotz@m...>
> wrote:
> > Can some of our Nebraska folks help out Nathan? Remember to
include
> > Nathan's email address in your replies.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Dave
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Nathan Obermeyer [mailto:obermeyern@y...]
> > Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 6:45 PM
> > To: brhs@n...
> > Subject: odell, ne to concordia, ks
> >
> >
> > I'm looking to find information about the Burlington
> > line from Odell, Nebraska, to Concordia, Kansas. I'm
> > interested in what type of equipment was run on the
> > line, if it interchanged with anyone in Concordia,
> > track diagram for Concordia, the traffic level, and
> > any pictures of the depot in Concordia. Thank you for
> > your assistance.
> >
> > Nate
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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