A recent message about the Laclede-Carrollton branch line in North Missouri
inquired: " Some maps show junction to Carrollton Branch being at Needles
rather than
LaClede...was it moved over time(e.g. when K.C. Cut-off was built), and is
branch still intact, in use?"
After the KC Cutoff was built, it became the Q's Brookfield-Kansas City
mainline, forsaking the old route west to Cameron, Missouri and then going
south. The KC cutoff began going south at Needles, 2 miles west of Brookfield
and well short of entering Laclede. Since this became the new mainline, it
would be more accurate to say that the Carrollton branch junction was at
Cottor, which was a long siding along the new Brookfield-Kansas City cutoff.
The switch for the Carrollton branch came off of this siding.
The Carrollton branch is no longer intact, nor in use. The rails are no longer
there?.. And I am told the long siding at Cottor is no longer there either. So,
it may well be that neither Forker nor Cottor is listed on current BNSF
timetables.
I have no knowledge whether there was ever an interchange between the Q and the
Wabash or AT & SF at Carrollton. I have word from a retired Q engineer who used
to work steam locomotives on the Carrollton branch that at one time there was
a CB&Q "Armstrong" turntable at Carrollton.
I believe service to Carrollton officially ended in 1982 when a whole bunch of
wonderful, bucolic (and still profitable) branch lines were abandoned in North
Missouri. Even before official abandonment the Carrollton branch was ignored
and neglected. Around 1978 I was told by an active BN conductor that a carload
of sugar destined for Carrollton sat in the Brookfield yard for well over a
month before delivery was made.
Regarding "LaClede", in all probability that is the original correct spelling.
Here in Brookfield , there is a street designated "Laclede Avenue" which
becomes a gravel road that goes to Laclede. The most westerly street sign
spells it "LaClede". However, all other signs designating the small community
are spelled "Laclede".
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