This route connected with a main line to Independence, and later western Kansas.
In 1878, the railroad would be reorganized as the Lawrence and Galveston Railway.
The next year, the route would again be renamed the Kansas City, Lawrence and Southern Railroad, and would again be reorganized in 1880 as the Kansas City, Lawrence and Southern Kansas Railroad.
In 1883, the railroad would be purchased by the Southern Kansas Railway. This would become part of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1899.
The ATSF had a mass of track in Kansas, with several important mainlines. However, this route was always a spur at the corner of a mainline.
Despite this, the industries in Coffeyville made it worth the while of ATSF to continue operations of the route.
ATSF oftentimes had bankruptcy and financial issues. In 1990, this route would be sold to the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, owned by Watco.
Today, the SKOL operates this spur into Coffeyville. They also have ownership of many other secondary lines in the area.
06/26/21
This large Pratt Through Truss crosses over Big Hill Creek just north of Coffeyville.
Built in 1899 over the Rio San Jose River near Suwanee, New Mexico this bridge was moved to this location in early 1925.
The main span features a standardized 6-panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss. This center span is approached by
The entire bridge is set on wood pile substructures. This is another clear indicator of a bridge of "secondhand quality".
Currently, this bridge supports a fairly well used track. The bridge continues
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. Relocation is not an uncommon technique for quality spans such as this. The span was originally built as mainline quality, meaning the structure had quite a bit of life left when replaced 25 years after its construction.
The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the common nature of this truss design.
The photo above is an overview of the bridge. The bridge can be accessed from a parallel road.