The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-12
RAILROAD NEWS.
Rock Island Officials Confirm an
Old RumOr.
Double Track to Be Built Be-
tween Here and Kansas City.
RELIEVE CONGESTION.
Work will Be Commenced With
out Further Delay.
Cutoff from EldOn, Iowa, Will
Also Be Built.

Kansas City, Mo, Jan. 12.-Several
important Rock Island-Frisco projects
In which Kansas City is interested were
the subjects of a conference yesterday
in which B. L. Winchell, vice presi-
dent in charge Of the combined system;
John F. Stevens, fourth vice president
of the Rock Island system, and H. 1.
Miller, general manager of the Rock
Island system, participated
The projects include the double
tracking of the tracks now used by the
Rock Island between Kansas City and
Topeka; the building of a new cutoff
between Eldon, Ia, and Kansas City,
bringing the Rock Island into Kansas
City over its own tracks and shorten
ing the distance between Kansas City
and Chicago 80 miles; the completion
Of the Rock Islands Kansas City-St.
Louis line, and extensive increases in
the terminal facilities of both the Rock
Island and Frisco lines in Kansas City.
All of these projects save the con-
structiOn of the Eldon-kanSas City cut
off have been definitely agreed upon.
The final survey for the EldOn cutoff
is completed as far as Birmingham.
From Kansas City the lines radiate
TO Chicago, st. Paul, Minnea polls, St.
Louis, New Orleans, Ell Paso, San
Francisco and Denver. There are $4,000
cal center is Kansas City. Yet the
Rock Island line has not a foot of
main line track into Kansas City This
condition is to be remedied in the rapid
way which has lately become charac-
teristic of this system.
The Rock Island has a long time
lease with the Union Pacific for the use
of its tracks between Kansas City and
Topeka. There is a provision in the
contract that the line is to be double
tracked when the demands of traffic
make it necessary. The line has been
so badly congested for months because
OF the demands put upon it that the
service rendered has lost to both the
Union Pacific and Rock Island lines
many thousands of dollars. For months
there has been no dependence placed
upon the schedules on the siXty-Seven
miles of track between Kansas City
and Topeka.
THE matter has come to a finality,'
said Mr.. Winchell last night, land the
double track will be built as speedily
as practicable.
I'VE are going to spend a good deal OF
money in Improvements in the vicinity OF
Kansas City. The double track PROPOSE
ton between Kansas City and Topeka is
assured; the Eldon cutoff probably will
be built, and we propose to spend goOo
deal of money in improving terminal ia
cllities. We will extend the Frisco yards
in Rosedale and the Rock Island yards II
ArmOurdale and will provide adequate
connections between the two yards. WI
also will extend our elevator facilities
AS soon as the Missouri, Kansas and Tex
as vacates the freighthouSe now uSeC
jointly by that line and the Frisco line
we will remodel the freighthouse. mod
ernie the Twelfth street yards, add team
tracks and in many other ways make on
terminal facilities for handling freigh
the best that can be had. The fact tina
the Union Pacific proposition is still I'm
settled will lhave no bearing on these i'm
provements At the yards in Rosedal
and Armourdale there will be tracks 10
freight, a liberal number of tracks to b
used for breaking up yards. There Wi
be six tracks between the RoSedale yard
and Kansas City, two each for throug
freight and passenger business, and tw
tracks for switching purposes. A grea
deal of the work at RosedaIe and at Ar
mourdale has already been accomplish
ed"
Mr.. Wincheu and his party will Ieav
Kansas City for Denver tomorrow.