Last Katy Train on bridge at Boonville, MO This is a video segment one of the last trains to cross the Boonville, Missouri Katy RR Bridge. Shot in 1986 by Wayne Lammers when The Katy RR was in negotiations with the Union Pacific RR. This video shows the bridge from different angles and the bridge operator C. D. Gregory. I was called by The Katy Engineer, Dennis Huff, who advising me that this would be the last train to cross the Boonville Katy Bridge. Since then the City of Boonvile has taken possession of the bridge and are in the process of converting it to be a large part of the Katy Trail. The bridge was built in 1931-32 as MKT Bridge No. 191.1 by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad to replace an 1873 MKT much lighter structure. It has four trusses over the water and a vertical 408 foot span lift in the middle, and was constructed by Kansas City Bridge Company (substructure), American Bridge Company (superstructure), and General Electric Company (electric installation). The bridge is still operational but is in need some repair. Video posted by Wayne Lammers, linked by Alexander D. Mitchell IV | |
MKT Boonville Bridge from the air | 08-14-2016 Wished it was better, but I think it's good enough. Mark W. Shannon |
You can now walk out on to it. Just the first phase.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/local/katy-bridge-reopen...
Great news to hear of the reopening! Will have to check it out this September when I'm in Boonville. I suppose they would have to drop the lift span to make it passable.
To reopen in the spring as a pedestrian bridge:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/local/boonville-s-katy-b...
How easy is it to access the control room?
The Missouri travel guide says this is the longest lift-span bridge in the world.
i think this very intresting i think it should be shown again to everyone u use to ask about this bridge every time i past but now im learning about it and understnd the facts of it
I agree with John O I like this bridge so I need some pics of it in action
On February 4, 2009 Governor Jay Nixon (Missouri) announced that Union Pacific was transfering all ownership rights to the bridge to the City of Boonville, MO. The city has announced they will rehab the bridge and work towards making it part of the Katy Trail. The legal battle is finally over - the bridge will live on!
I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of this bridge in action, or any stories/tales of trains crossing it? I personally am totally intrigued by this bridge, and would love to see a train on it. At the very least, I wish I could see some of what the depot/tracks/approach/bridge all looked like before the line was abandoned and Isle of Capri butted in. So if any one has any other great material, I would be most appreciative if they would post it. :)
Speaking of which, the pictures someone took on the bridge/in the operation house are quite amazing. In fact, it has inspired me to make my own trek out onto the bridge sometime this winter before all the vegitation on the north side grows back up, preventing access...
reuse it
I saw this bridge for the first time in October of 1985 as I was travelling from Leavenworth, Kansas to my home in Dupo, Illinois. I had just spent four months at a course at Fort Leavenworth. I have always enjoyed photographing and observing lift, bascule, and swing-span bridges. I did not get a chance to see this bridge in action, even though the rail line was still in use at that time. I have a couple of questions for anyone who can answer them. Where was the bridgetender's office located at on the bridge? Also, it appears that the bridge was designed for double-track use, although I don't think the KATY ever had a double track line to St. Louis. I was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1985 to 1989 and had the chance to photograph KATY trains in Oklahoma and Texas (even a freight that had a caboose!) before the road's demise in the late 1980's. I was sorry to see it go!
Photo 7 of 20 Motor housing.
I spent many a evening on the bridge in the company of Gordon Harvey drinking coffee and keeping up with my operations. It was a better place to keep track of train movements and the day to day happenings on the 'East End' than my office in New Franklin. I watched many a train pass over the bridge and many a tow pass under. It would be a great loss for us, not only the fans of the Katy Railroad but for the State of Missouri to see this once vital link gone forever.
This bridge could be a great asset to the Katy Trail as well as restoring the bridge. Personally I have ridden, in its entirety, the Katy Trail twice and would have personally enjoyed the trip across the Missouri River on this bridge. It seems so arbitrary in times like these to be concerned with a bridge, but restoring our history as well connecting the "true" MKT railroad (Katy) corridor should be important to any outdoor enthusiast.
First time visiting your website it is great. Thanks for any support in saving the Bridge.
The case number for the lawsuit filed by Jay Nixon is "05CO-CC00023". You can browse the case docket by going to http://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet and typing in the case number.
Still that way, Clark. Can walk onto and to end of 1st span on south end, visited for 1st time this weekend, the thing is amazing, hoping someday it will be able to be completely traversed.