Rupert,
In Hannibal, follow Missouri Highway 79 just south of town, about a quarter mile past the Bluff St. intersection. There you will find a turn off to the left to Lover's Leap Park, high above the old yard area. Everything is gone, today, except the single track main of the K Line. However, from the park, you get a great overview of the area where the shop, roundhouse, offices and servicing tracks were. With some careful study, you can even discern where some of the facilities were. There have been several published views of the railroad complex from this location. At least one was in the Morning Sun book that covered Hannibal and the K Line. If you look at those photos as a reference, you get a good idea of how much in the way of facilities the Q had in a fairly confined area. Slightly further south is the current yard, but it is much smaller than what was there in the Q days.
While I have not tried it, Bluff Rd goes southward a little ways below the bluff and adjacent to the old shop area. It may have been the access road to the shop or yard. Could be RR property now. One other location would be Nipper's Park, just north of the confluence of Bear Creek and the Mississippi. The last time that I was there, it appeared that the RR bridge across the creek, may have dated back to Q days. Before you go, take a look at and print out the satellite image of Hannibal, particularly south of town. The big open area from Bear Creek southeast is where the Hannibal Division facilities were. The K Line remains busy, so you should see some modern BNSF trains passing by. If you want a water view of the area, there is a little excursion boat (The Mark Twain?) that cruises slightly south of town and then goes slightly north of town. It takes a couple of hours, but is enjoyable and gives you a good overview of the town from the river.
The Norfolk Southern (former Wabash) also goes through town. Coming from the east, it crosses the river, then the K Line and, as Tom noted, enters a tunnel making a sweeping curve to the south. After exiting the tunnel, it parallels the Q main line to a point just north of Bear Creek where it curves west through the south part of town, headed for Kansas City. Last time that I visited, the NS traffic was considerably less than the BNSF traffic.
Have fun!
Bill Barber Gravois Mills, MO Mon Sep 1, 2014 8:39 am (PDT) . Posted by:Hi Everyone, I was there this past July for a reunion. Things have changed in the past 50 years. The are brand new levees and gates. The power plant and grain elevators are gone. Be sure to go to River View Park and you can look straight down onto the Norfolk Southern bridge as it goes into the tunnel. And, there are great views of the river. Also another park is at the foot of Broadway St. at the river where both N &S and BNSF tracks are only hundred feet apart. Sit on the top of the levee (park benches) and watch the train traffic. Of course you can be a tourist and go to all the Mark Twain sites. Main St. is a great place to stroll and visit the shops and restaurants. If you go to the visitor's bureau downtown they can give you maps etc. The Croukschank (spelling?) Mansion and the climb to the light house are interesting. The old highway bridge was torn down and the highway is now on the Interstate bridge. There is some interesting history about the town of Ilasco and the cement plant and the company town for the limestone miners that were brought from Europe. The old CB&Q yards are gone. But the station built in the 50's is still there unused. Enjoy your trip. Someone else can fill you in on Quincy. Tom Mitchell conductor67@sbcglobal.net
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Posted by: William Barber <clipperw@gmail.com>
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