| Posted by SES on November 13, 2021 | |
If memory serves me, the Royal City branch was built in the 1950's or 1960's to access the agricultural resources there. It was quite successful. But when the Milwaukee pulled out, something prevented successor Washington Central RR from being able to run freight trains there. I think the track is still intact up to Royal City. At least it was several years ago. I don't remember what the details were surrounding the prevention of reopening the railroad there.
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| Posted by SES on November 13, 2021 | |
Okay. I guess it pays to do a little research. Apparently they do have trains running the former Milwaukee Road Royal City branch. I've been away from the area for over 25 years, but it does seem I recall that it may have taken some time to reopen the line or generate traffic on it after the Milwaukee left the West. Anyhow, glad this part of the Milwaukee still exists.
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Always interesting when a branch line can keep a section of ex-mainline intact. Photos of truncated end points seem to evoke the most nostalgia and sense of loss. I'm sure there are many other examples of this phenomenon across the country, but in my opinion, this photo really symbolizes rails reaching from the present to the past.
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