A update on the the ATSF EMPORIA KANSAS & THE HOWARD BRANCH. I got to thinking it would be neat to have a route extension from Emporia south west to Newton Kansas. The entire distance is 2 tracks wide. (west bound and East bound) several small towns in between. I had read up on the History and this was the main artery for the ATSF RR from San Francisco to Chicago. I got Newton all done and using 1935 county maps along with 1935 San borne fire insurance maps off of the Library of Congress on line for free I have made it to Wichita. Wichita could be a route all of it's own with the WUT, Wichita Union Terminal railroad. I have the Wichita South Junction finished and It surprised me! 3 different railroads merging at that place. I was able, after trying this and that to get the track elevated with lots of help from the download station on parts needed to do the job. Everything on this route is all from Authors that like me supply stuff for free. Back to the Route, I still have several grain elevators to do and the Union Stock Yards. I had just learned that Wichita had 2 Packing plants! Cudahy packing and south next door! The Jacob Dold Packing plant. I do have the ATSF Wichita yard finished. Once Wichita is complete, Next to be done is heading South to Derby Kansas then south to Mulvane and Winfield. At Winfield I made a DEM to Moline Kansas. The flint hills between Moline and Winfield are going to be a lot of fun to lay the track to get it as good as I can. The time frame to get this on the Down Load Station? I would like to have it done before the summer is over. I am anxious to drive the route!. I am calling the Route, ATSF KC EMPORIA NEWTON WICHITA WINFIELD MOLINE MEGA ROUTE. The Howard branch north back to Emporia will be able to haul Cattle from Winfield to all the stock yards along the way.
