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PTHS
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For more information, contact: Updated Info Added Sunday, August 3, 2008: The present BNSF branch line known as the Thomas Hill Line was originaly known as the Bevier and Southern. 'Have Train Will Haul' was the railroads slogan which was prominatly written on the sides of the railraod's locomotive tenders. The line extends 16.5 south of the BNSF (formerly C B & Q mainline (originaly the Hannibal and St. Joeseph) from a connection west of at Bevier, MO to the AECI Associated Electric Cooperative power plant near the town of Thomas Hill. There coal trains from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming unload using a rotory dumper on a two mile loop track. The Bevier and Southern originally hauled coal from the area mines south of Bevier to the interchange with the CB & Q in Bevier. In the town of Bevier a roundhouse with a machine shop existed. The railroads offices were located in a vintage passenger car. The line was abandoned in the early 1980s account of declining coal shipments. All local coal went to the Thomas Hill power plant by truck. The north end was completly abandoned and the rails removed. Track remained on the southern portion of the line and maintained an active rail connection for the power plant using a branch line connection to the NS (N & W) East of Excelo, MO. Due to the Federal Clean Air Act of 1990 and depleted coal reserves in the area an alternative source of coal was needed for the generation of electric power. Low sulfur coal from the Powder River Basin was the logical solution. The original line could not be used account of the short steap grades (verticle profile). The line was surveyed in 1992 and completly rebuilt in 1993 - 1994. The first train operated over the line in the summer of 1994. The line is an excellent example of the necesary construction of a new rail line on an abandoned right of way. A very probable solution to our contry's rail transportation system capacity problems. Both freight trains and intercity High Speed rail passenger trains would benifit from this reuse of existing unused property. The PTHS Saturday afternoon field trip will look at the right of way and infrastructure along the line from public grade crossings. If there is a train operating on the line we will certainly follow it (chase) along the route. After the tour we will meet for an optional dinner at the Pear Tree restraunt in Bevier, MO. We will also have an opportunity to visit the static steam locomotive 112 on display in Bevier before dinner. For additional information about the B & S see the article in the 196 Trains magazine. The Passenger Train Historical Society was formed by attendees to prior annual conferences of the Amtrak Historical Society (AHS). The Amtrak Historical Society is currently in a state of hybernation. See: www.AmtrakHistoricalSociety.com
DEPOT INN & SUITES / SILVER RAILS RESORT / LA PLATA, MISSOURI
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