Depot

The Moline Depot is now at Dexter, KS, as part of a residence. It was similar to a #3 Standard Depot for Branch Lines. The express room end had no windows and the waiting room trackside door and window were reversed. It was modified in the late 40s and indoor toilets were installed.

Pre 1928 photo provided by David Brace

"You will note the mules are standing in the elevator dump located on the north side of the elevator. The floor of the dump pivoted upwards form the west end allowing the grain to slide onto the grill and then the pit under the floor. Mr. Sheel the former owner pointed out that the corn crib with gaps in the siding is located just north of the team. It also has a pit with a cob grinder for making cob chop, a feed product. Note also the coal chute located west of the depot and a little west of the elevator. It allowed the engine tender to take on coal by being positioned under it." David A. Brace. The elevator in this photo is the first one which burned and was replaced in 1928.

For more depot photos, click here.

Moline was served by motorcar passenger service between Coffeyville and Newton via Wichita. In 1953 the schedule was: #114-13-14 / 13-14-113: 9:42 a.m. / 6:30 p.m.

As of 8/7/1947, M.154 and M.175 were assigned to this service. The M.154 was a 75' full RPO/Baggage unit and has been modeled by Hallmark. It was later moved the Panhandle Division, retired in 1954 in Wichita and scrapped in 1958. M.175 was an 80' unit containing RPO, baggage, smoking and coach areas. It saw service in Missouri in 1954, was retired in 55, and scrapped in 58.

One common item in the express compartment of the doodlebug was cream coming off the 4th District for Jekorsky's cheese plant.

James Burke photo.

"After an engine satisfied her thirst, she backed away to the east shoving the train she had just made up up the west leg of the wye at the east edge of town. Uncoupling she came back out on the main and backpedaled down to the east wye switch. She headed up the east leg of the wye and backed down the west leg onto her train. With the air made up she whistled off for Emporia." James Burke, 1949, Iron Horse and I

Santa Fe built a lake 1.5 mile west of Moline and piped the water down the right of way to Moline to provide water. Santa Fe had two tanks next to each other with the pump house located between and connected to them. These tanks remain, but have been converted into a grain elevator (see photos).

Santa Fe System Standards, Vol. 3, by Kachina Press contains plans for ATSF water tanks and water cranes.

3109 in front of the depot having arrived from Emporia. Note the bulk oil dealer on the right for your UTLX cars.

Other

The Moline track was Class A, Class 2, 8' ties, 90 pound or less rail. The Howard Branch was Class B, Class 2, 8' ties (softwood acceptable), 90 pound or less rail.

Ice service was provided by Moline Ice and Storage which had no dock or spur. This industry shows on the maps for 1908 and 1915 but has disappeared by 1927.

The 1915 map shows the Electric Light Plant located across Main St. from the Depot. It burned fuel oil which would have come in by rail via the house track. It was gone by 1927.

Between the elevator and the roundhouse were two single story brick non-standard section houses.

An old wood truss rod Box car is used as a storage building in suburban Moline. Take a look and see if you can identify it.

A special thanks goes to historian David Brace, Dick Hisel (former Agent) and Harold Sheels (former elevator owner) who provided some of the above information. Dick sadly died on October 5, 2005.