Mississippi River Crossings

[chicagorails]

Ft Madison,is SF highway bridge to be replaced also,joe

[chicagorails]

Costs hundreds millions,takes years to complete

[chicagorails]

Up to start on new bridge over miss at Clinton

[chicagorails]

Lovetofishonboatwhilewatchingtrains.

[chicagorails]

Like to take boat and anchor 500 feet from bridge and camp out overnight on boat. Cool

[chicagorails]

Nelson il cnw crosses rock river is s great time  but don't go on bridge!many people killed over many years on and off bridge

[chicagorails]

east dubuque ill is a great place with a nice beach on miss river where i have camped overnite 20 years ago and dub iowa across river is nice area

[Overmod]

samfp1943

The site of the M&IMRR Ferry Crossing, and later, Rock Island Crossing between the area of Memphis, Tn. and West Memphis. Ar.(?) is still visible under the east abutments of the Mem/Ark Bridge[Brdg.50], Harahan Brdg[Brdg.51] And in part is used by a local River Tug Boat replenishment operator...

There are not 'two' bridges with those names at this site; there is only the Harahan Bridge (now enhanced with the Big River Crossing walkway on the north side) and it is highly unlikely that there is anything except ruins at the east abutment of that bridge as the current is very fast and shifting at that location. 

Due north is the Hernando DeSoto highway bridge, which as noted carries the I-40 part of the I40/55 crossing in the Memphis area.  (See below for the 'other')  Is this the bridge that had the tugboat provisioning nearby (perhaps technically in the Wolf River 'mouth' part east of Mud Island?)

and the next is the Frisco Br., orig. was KCFS&M[Brdg52]now BNSF.

Almost immediately south of the Harahan bridge is the old Frisco bridge, built 1892, which is currently in the throes of a tremendous rebuilding (the long approach up to the river from the west being rebuilt with THREE-track sized piers, room each side of the current structure and pier line, so there will be little problem enhancing this crossing's capacity in future).  It will be sad to see the existing structure taken down, but the promise of multiple tracks is great especially with the 'crossing' at Central Station rebuilt from 5mph with stop signs as it was years ago.

Not far south of the Frisco bridge is a cramped steel cantilever bridge from the late '40s, which is the whole crossing provided for Interstate 55 traffic to the south (and connection to the 240 loop, many distribution-center locations, and presumably much of the I-69 south feeder when that route is built out, as the diversion around through Millington and then 385 is likely to be much longer for vehicles going south).  Back in the Clinton years there were all sorts of discussion what the routing for I-69 would be, with Shreveport(!) and Springhill (!!!) being in contention at one point in the early-middle Nineties.  But there is little hope at this point of a Mississippi crossing to 'relieve' the decidedly unpleasant situation with the old bridge, particularly as TNDOT does incompetent 'maintenance' on it presumably with their usual inflated schedule and slipshod engineering.  It is wise to be a passenger if watching trains from this crossing in either direction...

[arkrail]

samfp1943

Reaching back, at one time, the original(?) M&NA RR had track from area of Joplin,Mo. to Neosho,Mo. [via KCS trackage rights] then Eastward to Calico Rock,Ar. and Harrison, Ar.. Eventually, to Helena,Ar. [ there was a Miss. River Ferry connection from the Helena area to Friars, Pt. Ms., and connection to the IC RR [both N&S] in area of Friar's Point. I think that was,in part, the Pullman and RPO connections, mentioned.

The Pullman and RPO connections that I discussed had nothing to do with the considerably later river crossing which IC predecessors established between Trotters Point MS and Helena AR.  The Pullman and RPO operated via a rail ferry which briefly operated between Arkansas City AR and Huntington MS - Huntington being on a short LNO&T branch northwest from Leland MS.  This ferry crossing was long abandoned before the M&NA ever arrived in Helena.  I am not sure about possible Pullman service into Helena on the Y&MV/IC ferry, although there was at one time parlor car service between Helena and Memphis over the Y&MV.  I am not aware of any RPO service which operated into Helena over the IC ferry.

Bill Pollard

(PS - the M&NA didn't pass through Calico Rock, that was the Missouri Pacific's White River Division. The M&NA passed through St. Joe, Leslie and Marshall, about 40 miles west southwest of Calico Rock.)

 

[samfp1943]

Overmod

Since this thread has been 'bumped', I have a note (that requires some amplification or confirmation from someone like Johnny Degges who knows the full details).

It was noted early on that the bridge crossings from St. Louis south are at high level.  Something I would note is that, in the Memphis area, when ferry crossings were used prior to 1892, railroads terminated to the northwest of the city, where the approach is low-grade almost right to the river (indeed, right to the river at its right 'stage') whereas the present bridges are at the top of the 'bluffs' considerably south, near the elevation of both Central Station and the site of Union Station, where the high-level crossing involves little elevation change on the east bank.  Several of the ROWs to the ferries still survive, either in truncated operation or as visible traces of track or grading.

 

 

         The 'original' postings By Dale, Nanaimo73 was quite the work, and a real source for documentation.  I had printed off the original thread, and have it for a 'reference'. I have held my breath that it would not get lost as the Forum goes through some of the 'updates'.... It is certainly, nice to see it "Bumped' back to a relevent area.  

  Just for a little note, and to add to the aspects of some of the History of the Mississippi River, in its middle course.   There is a still operational ferry, at the area of St. Genevieve, Mo and Modoc, Il.  [auto/truck traffic]

  And also, in the area of Hickman, Tn to Dorena, Mo [auto/truck traffic]

 The site of the M&IMRR Ferry Crossing, and later, Rock Island Crossing between the area of Memphis, Tn. and West Memphis. Ar.(?) is still visible under the east abutments of the Mem/Ark Bridge[Brdg.50], Harahan Brdg[Brdg.51] And in part is used by a local River Tug Boat replensihment operator. and the next is the Frisco Br., orig. was KCFS&M[Brdg52]now BNSF.   Currently, there is the latest Bridge crossing which is it I-40 Interstate crossing, located about 2 mi.(?) north of the other bridges.

 

 

[samfp1943]

arkrail

A belated addition to the list of Mississippi River crossings...

Along the Mississippi River segment between Memphis and Vicksburg, one additional river crossing existed.  Between approximately 1885 and 1890, a double track transfer boat operated between Arkansas City AR and Huntington MS.  The steamer Marion is identified in Missouri Pacific-Iron Mountain annual reports of that period as operating between those points and also described as being owned by the Little Rock & Fort Smith (owner of the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas), the Iron Mountain, and the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas (predecessor of the later Yazoo & Mississippi Valley.)

This route briefly carried a Railway Post Office across the river (the Little Rock & Leland RPO) and also a Pullman sleeping car line which operated St. Louis to New Orleans via Little Rock, Arkansas City, Huntington, Vicksburg and New Orleans.  Once Jay Gould consolidated his holdings in the area, and completed a line into Alexandria LA with "Gould system" connections to New Orleans, the ferry operation was soon discontinued.

Bill Pollard

      Reaching back, at one time, the original(?) M&NA RR had track from area of Joplin,Mo. to Neosho,Mo. [via KCS trackage rights] then Eastward to Calico Rock,Ar. and Harrison, Ar.. Eventually, to Helena,Ar. [ there was a Miss. River Ferry connection from the Helena area to Friars, Pt. Ms., and connection to the IC RR [both N&S] in area of Friar's Point.

            I think that was,in part, the Pullman and RPO connections, mentioned.

    As it[M&NA] went across Arkansas, it ran to a connection at Seligman, Mo. with the SLSF [via a connection from Hot Springs, Ar.]; also connections with SLSW(CottonBelt)/SP near Brinkley, Ar. and MoPac near Helena(?) Ar.

  The M&NA has a somewhat 'checkered' and 'troubled' history; because of ROW and Construction issues; it had a repoutaion, localy, as "the MAY NEVER ARRIVE" certainly, not a reputation, contributing to a scheduled passenger operation.

 

[Overmod]

Since this thread has been 'bumped', I have a note (that requires some amplification or confirmation from someone like Johnny Degges who knows the full details).

It was noted early on that the bridge crossings from St. Louis south are at high level.  Something I would note is that, in the Memphis area, when ferry crossings were used prior to 1892, railroads terminated to the northwest of the city, where the approach is low-grade almost right to the river (indeed, right to the river at its right 'stage') whereas the present bridges are at the top of the 'bluffs' considerably south, near the elevation of both Central Station and the site of Union Station, where the high-level crossing involves little elevation change on the east bank.  Several of the ROWs to the ferries still survive, either in truncated operation or as visible traces of track or grading.

[arkrail]

A belated addition to the list of Mississippi River crossings...

Along the Mississippi River segment between Memphis and Vicksburg, one additional river crossing existed.  Between approximately 1885 and 1890, a double track transfer boat operated between Arkansas City AR and Huntington MS.  The steamer Marion is identified in Missouri Pacific-Iron Mountain annual reports of that period as operating between those points and also described as being owned by the Little Rock & Fort Smith (owner of the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas), the Iron Mountain, and the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas (predecessor of the later Yazoo & Mississippi Valley.)

This route briefly carried a Railway Post Office across the river (the Little Rock & Leland RPO) and also a Pullman sleeping car line which operated St. Louis to New Orleans via Little Rock, Arkansas City, Huntington, Vicksburg and New Orleans.  Once Jay Gould consolidated his holdings in the area, and completed a line into Alexandria LA with "Gould system" connections to New Orleans, the ferry operation was soon discontinued.

Bill Pollard

[JC UPTON]

Two  comments from Louisiana:

1) The bridge at Baton Rouge:

  a) replaced two car (carfloat) ferries; one at Angola to  Lettsworth? (L&A / KCS), one at Baton Rouge (now lost in the Exxon refinery) to  Anchorage, near Port Allen (Misouri Pacific)

b) is a single track with a 4 lane highway cantilevered on the outside of the RR thru truss

c) is (allegedly deliberately) too low for ocean going shipping 

2) The bridge at New Orleans:

a) replaced a car ferry New Orleans to Algeris (SPRR)

b) is a double track with originally a 4 (very narrow) lane highway cantilevered on the outside of the RR thru truss, but recently the highway rebuilt to 6 modern design highway lanes, requiring add on thru trusses on either side of the RR

c) is high enough for ocean going shipping to pass

d) terminates on the West (south) bank at Bridge City/Avondale (not Gretna)

 

[SSW9389]

Recent research on the Birds Point, Missouri to Cairo, Illinois carfloat operation has revealed that it may have remained open for business until the very late 1920s. This was a Missouri Pacific car ferry with Cotton Belt as a tenant. The Cairo Mississippi River Highway Bridge opened in 1929. The Cotton Belt line to Birds Point was abandoned in late 1938. The Missouri Pacific line to Birds Point was abandoned March 31, 1942.

[samfp1943]

    Even though this Original Post dates to July of 2005; It is a compilation of some very thorough research, and  tremendous effort by   Nanaimo 73   ( Dale )   

  I had thought it lost in the Changes of Format, and Enhancements of features of the FORUM.  

  It is a pleasure to see it back, and I would hope that others will also find it a terrific body of reference materials.  

[Brytta]

I really love the photo! Great job!

[Bergie]

I'm happy to report that the first post is back in its entirety.

Bergie

 

[Bergie]

blhanel

I hope the folks at Kalmbach can figure out how to fix this.  This thread and the Iowa Counties thread are my two all-time favorites.

 

I have our tech guys looking into why the original post (and all the good info) was cut off during the transfer to the new forum platform.

Erik

[blhanel]

I hope the folks at Kalmbach can figure out how to fix this.  This thread and the Iowa Counties thread are my two all-time favorites.

[nanaimo73]

Thanks for the heads up, John.

You have done some pretty good work.

JohnWeeks.Mississippi.headwaters
JohnWeeks.Mississippi.twincities
JohnWeeks.Mississippi.upper
JohnWeeks.Mississippi.lower

JohnWeeks.Missouri.upper

JohnWeeks.home

_______________________________________________

This was recently posted on the IC Yahoo Group-

Norco, LA - Friday April 11

West of New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers opened the
flood gates of the Bonnet Carrie Spillway today to divert water
from the swollen Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain.

Three railroad trestles pass over the spillway - the CN McComb
and Baton Rouge subs, and the KCS New Orleans sub. On any
other day, the spillway is a great area to drive down into to take
pictures of trains. Since the gates have been open, the area,
which is also frequented by many people in various outdoor
activities, is now under several feet or more of water.

The gate opening is a big event in that they've only been opened
several times since the spillway's structure was built in the early
30's. I went out today to take pictures, and DID happen to catch
the first trains to cross the spillway after the noon gate opening.
There are no operational restrictions that I know of for trains
while the gates are open.

Photos:

KCS New Orleans Sub trestle:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122248

Normally there is a dirt road next to the trestle, but it is now under
water. The gates had only been open about 45 minutes. I came
back a few hours later, and it was noticeably higher. The flood gates
will be open for 2-3 weeks, and eventually the water will be rise
to several feet of the trestle deck.

CN train M31971 was one of the first to cross the spillway about
40 minutes after gate opening. Power on today's train was CN
C40-8M 2429 and CN 5789 SD75I.

CN 2429:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122249

M31971 making its way across the trestle. *Most of the vegetation
in the photos will be under water within a week:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122250
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122252
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122254

The next across was a CN loaded grain train with BNSF hoppers:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122255

After leaving the spillway, I ran across Gateway Eastern 2000
GP38-2 stopped next to the KCS yard office in Norco, LA:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122256
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1122257

Shawn - Amite, LA

[Anonymous]

Just a short note to nanaimo73 - thanks for putting in the links to my website.
Unfortunately, my URL's changed recently when I was forced to move to a new
server. So, any link that starts "http://www.visi.com/~jweeks" should be updated
to be "http://www.johnweeks.com". The hostname changed, and the ~jweeks is
no longer needed.

I have also started photographing bridges on the Missouri River. I have photos
and write-ups for South Dakota, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. There are
not many railroad bridges in this area, but the ones that are there are quite
interesting.

-john-

[nanaimo73]

Nice pitures, Bob. Thanks for posting them.

Some day I will have to complete my travels, and tour the River south from Dubuque. 

[spokyone]

Memphis - Harahan 
The next two bridges are beside each other at Memphis, along with the Interstate 55 bridge.
Bridge #52 is the Harahan bridge, the former Arkansas and Memphis Railway Bridge and Terminal Company (Missouri Pacific, Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, and St. Louis Southwestern) bridge. This was opened in 1916 and is now used by Union Pacific. To the west the Union Pacific line at Briark Junction splits with the former Missouri Pacific line heading west for Bald Knob and the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific line (used by Cotton Belt) heads southwest for Brinkley and (formerly) Little Rock. To the east is IC Crossing, where the MP, CRI&P, SSW and SLSF lines met Illinois Central's north-south mainline. This IC line is now Canadian National, and is used by Amtrak's City of New Orleans. Five of the 11 diamonds are still located at IC Junction.
Terraserver   WikiMapia    Googlemap   article   article   Bridgehunter 
 Wikipedia   Photos   Photo   Photos   Photos 
61 b/w photos of these bridges can be seen on the following website by searching "mississippi bridge" and going to #14
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/  
Passenger- The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific ran passenger trains over Harahan Bridge until November 10, 1967.  
Traffic- moderate (40 to 60 GMT)
Bridge type- fixed
.

Memphis - Frisco 
Bridge #53 is the Frisco Bridge, opened in May of 1892 for the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis. The KCFS&M became part of the St. Louis-San Francisco. SLSF joined Burlington Northern in 1980 and is now BNSF. The third bridge here is Interstate 55.
To the west is Bridge Junction, where the BNSF (SLSF) line crosses over the UP and heads northwest. After 20 miles this line separates at River Junction with one line 
going to St. Louis and the other to Springfield. To the east is IC Crossing, which is now a Canadian National mainline used by Amtrak's City of New Orleans. 
Terraserver   WikiMapia   Googlemap   article   article   Bridgehunter 
ASCE article    Wikipedia   Photo   Photos   Photos 
Passenger- The last St. Louis-San Francisco passenger train using the bridge
operated on December 9, 1967. 
Traffic- heavy (60 to 100 GMT)
Bridge type- fixed

 Here is best pic from our recent trip as viewed from Martyr's Park.

 

[spokyone]

FERRY-This run was between the St. Louis & Iron Mountain (later Missouri Pacific)
at Belmont, Missouri over to the Mobile and Ohio in Columbus, Kentucky.
Ferry service ended on this route during 1911.
Terraserver   Googlemap

About 12 mile south of this location is a car ferry between Hickman KY and Dorena MO. These two towns are not very pleasing to the eye. Hickman has some barge loading facilities.
  All of the car ferries from Cassville WI to here are very similar. We have used all but one, from WI to Memphis. We saw a lot of barge traffic that cloudy day at Hickman.

 

[spokyone]

FERRY-The Missouri-Illinois Railroad operated in Illinois and in Missouri and
connected here by boat. Service was from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Kellogg,
Illinois between 1902 and July 18, 1961. Bridge #51 was then used until the M-I was merged into the Missouri Pacific.
Terraserver   Googlemap   M-I article

We recently used this ferry from Illinois to MO. Ste. Genevieve is a preserved historic downtown area with many stone buildings being used as offices & gift shops etc. On the Illinois side, UP has tracks that are gated through the levee. When needed, a forklift places the concrete slabs in the guides. I did not notice where the old ROW would have been on the MO side, where it connected to the present BNSF tracks. Here is a couple of pics to share.

Approaching Missouri.

[spokyone]

And here is a pic of #36 at Clinton, with train hurrying to get across before our riverboat arrives.

[Anonymous]

to the Trains.com forum, Opahujo, from another Eastern Iowan!

Brian, thanks for the welcome. Check out the UP challenger (near Mechanicsville, Aug.1996) in my Sig. Sorry about the fuzzyness of the scanned photograph.

[nanaimo73]

complete with train...

 

As it should be ! Thanks, Brian.