This new direct route created a connection between St. Louis and Kansas City. From Birmingham, the route used another railroad to access Kansas City.
By 1871, the route would become a part of the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern Railway, which eventually became a part of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway by 1878.
The Wabash, as it would become commonly known, had built a considerable amount of trackage east of Missouri through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. This was the westernmost mainline of the route.
While serving primarily as a direct route across Missouri, it also led to expansions. One such expansion left the mainline at Brunswick, Missouri and headed north to Omaha.
By 1889, the route became directly owned by the Wabash Railroad, which would be reorganized as the Wabash Railway in 1915 and back to railroad in 1941.
By 1964, the Wabash was a desirable merging partner. As a result, the Norfolk and Western Railway purchased the Wabash.
In 1982, the N&W merged with the Southern Railway to form Norfolk Southern, the current operator of the line. It is still used heavily as a Norfolk Southern mainline to Kansas City.
06/26/21
This large through girder bridge crosses the Crooked River near Hardin.
Sitting parallel to the BNSF Bridge, this structure is a well hidden gem.
Built in 1923, the bridge reused a pair of spans from Will County, Illinois. These spans were built in 1907 to cross Forked Creek.
Originally, the through girders were approached by trestle spans. In 2007, these spans were replaced with modern concrete spans.
In addition, it rests on concrete encased stone substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. One unique piece of trivia about this bridge is the use of a Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, which was consolidated into American Bridge Company in 1900.
The author ranks this bridge as being locally significant, due to the relocation history of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. It can be accessed from nearby roads.