Bushnell, IL: BNSF/CB&Q and KJRY/TP&W/Northern Cross Depots

(Satellite)

Andy Zukowski posted
Railroad Depot and Railroad Maintenance Crew on Handcar at Bushnell, Illinois 1909

Allen Miller: Easy to see who the telegraph operator is, with those black sleeve bands. The other guy with the tie is probably the agent. The other guy might be the freight handler out of the depot freight room, or maybe just a station loafer. (LOL)

Thomas Whitt shared
Richard Fiedler shared

John Stell: Since mileage is shown to Keokuk and Peoria this would date to when TP&W was owned by the Wabash.

Dave Durham posted
NORTHERN CROSS RR DEPOT\ CB&Q DEPOT BUSHNELL, ILLINOIS. UNKNOWN DATE, PHOTOGRAPHER, WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARY.
Larry Cummings I guess this is the BNSF 2 main tracks and what is now the TP&W interlock at Bushnell.Dave Durham Wish I could give more details, but all the photo description said was what I posted and an address...Dennis DeBruler The TP&W route through this town is now owned by Keokuk Junction Railway. The TP&W now runs between Peoria and Logansport, IN. http://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/.../keokuk-junction...
Dave Durhamhttp://collections.carli.illinois.edu/.../wiu_digimgc/id/109
Dennis DeBruler I just read Dave's photo reference. The Northern Cross would have been the northwest/southeast route through town. It was obtained by CB&Q in 1865. KJRY/TP&W is the east/west route through town. Of course, the northeast/southwest route was the Q (Quincy) part of the CB&Q.
Larry Cummings Dennis DeBruler 2 mains running through town. Main 1 goes to Quincy and main 2 to Beardstown.
Dennis DeBruler I had noticed that they separate just south of town: https://www.google.com/.../@40.5350519,-90.../data=!3m1!1e3
Dennis DeBruler The one towards Beardstown ended up going all the way to the Ohio River to connect with the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad. BNSF still operates that route to the Ohio River Bridge.
https://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/.../cb-bridge-over...
Larry Cummings Dennis DeBruler I worked on the Beardstown line for years. Around 1975 I came around the curve coming into Bushnell and derailed all 3 locomotives and 17 cars. Scared the bejesus out of me.
Dennis DeBruler What caused the derailment?
Larry Cummings The official determination was the pilot (snow plow) on the second engine came loose and scrapped up rail anchors until the unit derailed. It took every thing with it. Luckily the train was empty coal cars. We thought the cars were going to come over the top of us. They did stack 3 high. Makes a good story, I don't want to do it again. Nothing like riding a SD40 off the rail at 42mph.
Dennis DeBruler Larry Cummings I can't even imagine. Partially because I don't want to :-)
Dennis DeBruler I had read that the CB&Q route to Southern Illinois was built mainly to access coal mines. I didn't realize how much coal was down there until I researched this I-57 overpass that still as the BN logo: https://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/.../abanbncb...

1941 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

Dennis DeBruler commented on Dave's posting

CB&Q must have concentrated on their mainline (northeast/southwest) route through town. It appears we are looking at what is now part of the ADM property. My guess is that yellow was CB&Q and red was NC.

Sam Carlson posted
[Some comments indicate this was the CB&Q depot.]

John Stell posted, cropped
BN depot at Bushnell.  This was shot from TP&W depot.  John Stell slide in October 1973.

Stan L. Maddox: Photographer looking northwest.

Andy Zukowski posted
CB&Q Railroad Depot in Bushnell, Illinois. C.1910