Unusual and interesting prototype(s)

[mopacbuff]

Gents,

While going about my continuing research into Missouri Pacific RR operations in and around Potosi, Washington county, Missouri, I have stumbled upon some very interesting railroads of the past that would make for dynamite modeling possibilities.

How about mining operations, regular freight and passenger mainline operations, narrow gauge lines and electrified trolley and freight operations? All within roughly 2 counties in southeast Missouri? How about car ferry operations across the mighty Mississippi river?

It's all here.

The railroads involved are (but not limited to);

St. Louis & Iron Mountain RR
Missouri Pacific RR
Mississippi river & Bonne Terre RR
Missouri Illinois RR
St. Francois county electric RR

Here's a link to historical photos and newspaper articles, these just scratch the surface of the railroading in that era.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mostfran/railroad/railroad_index.htm

If I wasn't wedded to the concept of 1960s MoPac operations in Washington county Missouri, I'd probably come up with a layout that included MoPac (STL&IM), MT&BT, lead mines, narrow gauge and trolley operations. All of these occured in the same era, and within a small geographical area, and would make for a damn fine layout.

MPB

 

[dpeterson3]

Nice site. I am from the area and have been looking for more information about the roads that were once there. The last time I was near Potosi, there were car haulers spotted under the highway 21 overpass no pictures unfortunately). I thought that far out UP had abandoned the line. I am now curious if the line is still active (or the rails fixed for storage which is my guess). I am also curious as to where that line connected to. It was my understanding that St. Francis Co. Electric ended right outside of Potosi, but following what appears to be the ROW on Google Earth, you come out at a mine of some sort a county West. I can't find documentation on this anywhere and it is bothering me to no end.

 

[mopacbuff]

DP,

I'm actually from Potosi, although I now reside in Ohio.

My cousin and uncle both work for UP, at their DeSoto car shops. Dad used to work in DeSoto, back when it was still MoPac. I just had my cousin take pictures of the old MoPac depot in Potosi and e-mail them to me. I'm going to build a model of it for my future layout.

Lotsa good railroading history in that area. I found that part about an electric railroad suprising and interesting.

MPB