By 1869, the route was absorbed by the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad; which continued the line another 79 miles to Fort Scott, Kansas.
The following year, an additional 53 miles was constructed to Baxter Springs, Kansas. This route closely paralleled the Missouri-Kansas border.
By 1879, the road would be purchased by the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad. In turn, this route would be purchased by the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Springfield Railroad in 1888.
Later in 1888, the route became part of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad. In 1896, a short 13 mile segment between Baxter Springs and Miami, Oklahoma would be constructed.
In 1901, the route would be reorganized as the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railway. The final 13 miles of the line would be constructed to Afton, Oklahoma later this year.
The route would be controlled by the St. Louis-San Fransisco Railway (Frisco) until 1928, when it was purchased outright. The route became a critical backbone for the Frisco.
Despite the success of the Frisco, it would be absorbed by the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1980. In turn, the BN merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1996 to form BNSF Railway.
In 2017, this route remains a critical route for the BNSF. From Kansas City to Fort Scott, it is known as the Fort Scott Subdivision. From Fort Scott south to Afton, it is part of the Afton Subdivision.
06/26/21
One of the more modern trusses in Eastern Kansas is this massive structure over the Marais des Cygnes River, near the town of Lacygne.
This location was originally known as Boicourt, a ghost town.
The bridge here features a massive 7-panel riveted Warren Through Truss with an A-Frame portal bracing. The structure is approached by a long series of concrete stringers on either side.
When originally constructed in 1926, the bridge likely replaced a very similar structure. It contained a trestle approach.
That trestle approach would be replaced in 1989 by the modular concrete beams. The author notes that this design is common for modern bridges, yet this is the oldest concrete modular beams seen on active railroads.
The bridge rests on a combination of stone and concrete substructures. The stone substructures likely date to the previous bridge.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant due to the truss design and newer age of the bridge.
The south plaque on the bridge was found on the ground at the time of documentation, and the author currently has possession of it to ensure preservation.
If a historical society or someone with close ties to the bridge is interested, the author would be interested in transferring the plaque
The above photo is an overview of the bridge. This structure can be accessed from Queens Road, which goes under the bridge.
| Upstream | BNSF Marais des Cygnes River Bridge #2 |
| Downstream | Amoret Rail Bridge |