Question for Dru, McPherson, KS

[Anonymous]

Hi Dru, I grew up near Herington and I don't get back there often, but Do you know the traffic patterns of the KC-Denver UP line and the Golden State route thru McPherson? Also, did the KP line absorb all the traffic from the abandoned MP Pueblo line after the merger? I would be surprised if you told me yes because the KP used to be in wretched condition, and didn't appear some years back to be able to handle much traffic. The old MP line had 20-plus per day previous to UP/SP merger, and don't see how he KP could absorb that without a major overhaul and many additional sidings? Also, is the Santa Fe line thru Mac still in existence?

[favuprailroadfan]

Yes the KP line through Salina did absorb most of the traffic from the old MP. UP decided in a stupid way to abandon the entire line from Pueblo to Herington. The KP took over all the coal traffic the old MP. But I believe that the taconite trains are now running through Nebraska on the Overland Route. The Golden State has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Traffic on the Golden State is around 24 a day. This traffic is mainly intermodel and auto racks. But the stackers are big averaging around 7000 to 8000 ft in length. The racks run right at around 75 cars, they are decent in length themselves. UP took the KP line and made it very useful. They went in and rebuilt all the sidings with controlled point switches and they have it looking really good. I used to live in Denver right beside it and traffic was around 10 loaded a day and the same westbound yet empty. Recently, they started running grain trains through there. All trains were running in DPU mode3, mainly 2 up front and 1 on the rear. Then for the run in to the mines, they usually ran 3 and 2. As for as the Santa Fe in McPherson, this is now the property of the K&O, which is a short line based out of Wichita (I think). They like to operate with mainly GP40's but I have seen a couple of old GP30's there and they are all in excellant condition. If you have any other questions about the Golden State, or the KP line, just ask and I will get back to you as soon as possible.


Laters, Dru