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| Bill Molony posted This is the Norfolk & Western (ex-Wabash) depot at Bluffs. This was one of the very few Wabash depots that did not have a roof gable over the bay window. |
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| Richard Fiedler commented on the above posting Bluffs was where the branch to Keokuk and Quincy departed the mainline. Bluffs was also the last stand for Wabash steam where ancient moguls operated due the old spindly bridge over the Illinois a River at Meridosia. A Leased PRR 44 toner that replaced the moguls on the turntable at Bluffs. J Parker Lamb photo Richard Mead This is the locomotive they would send across the bridge un manned...and pickup on the other side ? Richard Fiedler I believe yes. The bridge was an ancient iron one and was rickety because it was hit by barges so many times. You could not double head on it nor exceed 10 mph. The 44 ton we was replaced by a SW until the bridge was finally condemned ending these practices and the line severed. Wabash then got trackage rights on the CB&Q to reach the trackage to Versailles north to Keokuk and Quincy. Bill Edrington The branch from Bluffs to Meredosia was part of the very first railroad in Illinois: the Northern Cross, which began operating from Meredosia to Morgan City (near Chapin) in 1838. It eventually reached Jacksonville and Springfield and became part of the Wabash system. The West End Spr/Hann dist page posted a similar image Pic of the turntable at Bluffs. Just beyond the table is a GE 44 ton loco. It was used exclusively on the Meredosia Branch because of its light weight and restrictions on the Illinois River bridge. Mark Lehn: Is the roundtable still there? Richard Fiedler shared Mark Stoeckel: The 44 tonner replaced the 2-6-0 steam locomotives that had been used for many years because of the Illinois River bridge weight restrictions. |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on Mark's comment I don't think so: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aUoRVBU8xxotZdt69. 1941 aerial photo. [1941 Aerial Photo from ILHAP] |
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| Andy Zukowski posted Wabash Railroad Depot in Bluffs, Illinois. 1954 Dustin Holschuh: Imagine with the mainline and the branch here this would of been a great spot to watch trains Richard Fiedler shared |
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| Lisa Ruble posted Train Depot, Bluffs, Illinois, approximately 1879 Junction Hannibal Branch, Bluffs (Scott County Illinois) -- Wabash Railway Views photograph album Richard Fiedler shared Richard Fiedler shared Richard Fiedler shared |
This is the first time I have seen a small town with an active railyard, but the grain elevator has been torn down.
But not all of the elevator is gone. (Note the caboose on the siding.)
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| Street View, Aug 2023 |
Richard Fiedler The bridge was an old iron not steel swing span that was weakened by being hit by barges over the years. There was not enough traffic to justify a new bridge so until 1958 or so operations evolved due to severe weight restrictions so that in its last years the moguls and or the 44 tonner were just operated over the bridge and not beyond. There were spur tracks on either side for the road locomotives (diesels) that would couple on and take the trains to their destinations.
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| Comment by Karl Hauffe on his posting Karl Hauffe And could this have been the coaling tower location? Dennis DeBruler Probably, the shadow has the profile of a coaling tower. Dennis DeBruler It looks like the roundhouse was this clump of trees: https://www.google.com/.../@39.7516306,-90.../data=!3m1!1e3 |
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| Lisa Ruble posted An Old Landmark in Bluffs (Scott County Illinois) in the 1930s.. Standing beside the flag shanty is one of Bluffs old timers, Daniel Harvey. He carried the "stop" and "go" sign in the old days before the flasher signals was installed by the Wabash railroad. It was considered a good place to stop and rest, and in the winter time many a cold feet warmed themselves at the pot bellied stove Mr Harvey kept inside. - Bluffs Yesterday and Today (1871-1971) -- Daniel William Harvey was born in England in 1857, a son of Daniel William and Elizabeth Jersey Harvey. He immigrated to America in 1894. Daniel married Ollie May Flynn in 1907. He was a flagman for the Wabash Railroad. Daniel Harvey passed away on September 9th 1942 at Bluffs. Richard Fiedler shared Richard Fiedler shared |
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