During 1887, they constructed another 131 mile route between Herington and Caldwell, Kansas.
In 1890, the line would be extended another 124 miles to Minko, Oklahoma. This mainline connected the major junction point of Herington to towns such as Wichita and Enid.
A year later in 1891, the CK&N would become part of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific.
Between 1886 and 1888, the CK&N put down 1400 miles of new route that would become a major part of the modern Rock Island Railroad.
The RI operated this route as a mainline, although the Rock Island oftentimes saw financial issues. This particular mainline connected Chicago to Galveston, Texas.
The Rock Island would go bankrupt in 1980, and the St. Louis Southwestern Railway would purchase a half interest in the line in 1980, and purchase the other half in 1982.
The SSW would be completely merged into the Southern Pacific Company in 1992, before being completely merged into Union Pacific in 1996.
Today, the Wichita-Enid Segment is known as the Union Pacific Enid Subdivision.
06/26/21
This massive double intersection Warren Through Truss bridge crosses over the Arkansas River.
Built in 1944 to replace a washed out trestle, this span is nothing short of massive.
The center span features heavily built up members, riveted connections and an A-Frame portal.
When first built in 1944, the bridge featured trestle approach spans, and was set onto wooden substructures.
However, in the 1990s the trestles were upgraded and replaced with a mix of new and secondhand I-Beam spans that came from all over the system.
One of these spans has an American Bridge Company plaque stating the span was built in 1909. These spans could have come from virtually anywhere in the Western United States, and would likely be very difficult to find information on.
In addition, it appears not all the spans are historic either. Some appear to have been fabricated in the 1990s.
Currently, the bridge consists of 6 spans of I-Beam approach to the south, as well as 8 spans of I-Beam to the north. The entire bridge sits on steel pile substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design and relocated I-Beams.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from local biking trails.
| Upstream | K&O Arkansas River Bridge |
| Downstream | Coffeyville Rail Bridge (North) |