This is probably slim to none for responses but I am looking for any operating format info on these two KS shortlines from 1991-2001. I have Newton/Wichita/Blackwell but need to "fill in gaps" on other parts on the lines such as the jobs, where the trains ran to , how often, etc. I know of the history & eng rosters but searching for the basic raw train data.
SFbrkmn This is probably slim to none for responses but I am looking for any operating format info on these two KS shortlines from 1991-2001. I have Newton/Wichita/Blackwell but need to "fill in gaps" on other parts on the lines such as the jobs, where the trains ran to , how often, etc. I know of the history & eng rosters but searching for the basic raw train data.
Maybe, I can add some to your knowledge base on the Ks Southwestern Rwy: Start here with this linked site @https://www.labellemodels.com/manuals/Kansas%20Southwestern.pdf
As well as this link may offer some more background on the Ks.SW Rwy ( it was originally, built to connect Winfield, Ks to Anthony,Ks. slightly more than 59 miles)
Also a good resource might be found at the Panhandle Railroad Museum in Wellington See location @ https://www.dandb.com/businessdirectory/panhandlerailroadmuseuminc-wellington-ks-10360120.htmlThe owner there is a former AT&SF employee, and as an engineer he ran on the former Panhandle sub.
And this linked site @http://www.ausbcomp.com/~bbott/wortman/People_and_Families/K.C.%26S.W.RailroadCo.htm ( a compilation of newspaper articles) an interesting history of the evolution of railroads in the South Central part of Kansas. The article mentions that, early on the Kansas Southwern Rwy was actually the Kansas City Southwestern Rwy.
As I had said, the site has references to the area around Winfield, and its railroad history, also mentioned is the Denver,Memphis and Atlantic (nee: Denver Memphis &Gulf RR) which line was originally to have been plotted as a narrow gauge railroad, but was changed (with new ownership of MoPac ?) to standard gauge.
As to the Blackwell Northern Rwy: Currently, it is now the Blackwell Northern Gateway Rwy.. Ownership is with a couple of entities: The Oklahoma DOT and The Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA) and it is operated by US Rail Partners @ http://www.usrp-ltd.com/
It operates roughly about 38 miles of track between wellington and Blackwell, Industries on the line are several grain elevators[Rome, South Haven, Hunnewell, and Blackwell . Engine power is from an entity owned by US Rail [ Northern Ill &Wisc.Rwy Corp] @ http://www.nilwirailway.com/ car storage seems to be their major business(?) Although, I have observed, periodically, loaded tank cars near their junction with the BNSF.
Not to mention how the former RI which runs North-South through this area...My guess is that the BNGRwy is part of the remains of now abandoned AT&SF lines between Wellington, and point towards Newton, Ks. But that is just my guess.
Hope this will help you SF Brkmn !
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