In 1885, the Nevada and Minden Railway Company of Kansas began construction of a 41 mile line between the Missouri/Kansas border near Curranville, to Chetopa, Kansas.
The DM&A became a part of the Kansas and Colorado Pacific Railway in 1891. In turn, both the K&P as well as the N&M became part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1909.
However, these were mainly branch lines for the Missouri Pacific and quickly saw a decline in traffic for the railroad.
The eastern half of the route would reorganized as the Pittsburg Subdivision. This line ran between the KS/MO border and Coffeyville.
In 1982, the Union Pacific merged with Missouri Pacific under the name of Union Pacific.
In 1991, the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad was sold the route, although much of it would later be abandoned.
Today, a small stub at Coffeyville is still intact, along with a segment between Sherwin and Cherokee.
06/26/21
This large Warren Through Truss crosses over the Verdigris River just east of Coffeyville.
Reportedly built in 1910, this crossing features a main, 6-panel riveted Warren Through Truss. This span is approached by a single deck girder to the east, as well as a deck girder span and trestle to the west.
The entire bridge is set on stone, concrete pile and wood pile substructures. The main truss also appears to be similar to other Missouri Pacific trusses, suggesting a standardized design.
Currently, this bridge supports a rail spur that has not seen a train in many years. It is unknown why the trackage still exists, and then suddenly ends a few miles east of this bridge.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. The author hopes that this bridge can be reused for a bike trail or similar reuse.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the common nature of this truss design.
The photo above is an overview of the bridge.
| Upstream | MKT Verdigris River Bridge |
| Downstream | Verdigris River Railroad Bridge |