Keokuk Junction Ry. reopens severed mainline

[Bulby]

Today, for the first time since September 16th; a Keokuk Junction freight out of Kolbe traveled the mainline to Good Hope to swap cars with a crew working out of Keokuk.

September 16th was the date that the KJ's 2nd trick Kolbe crew derailed eastbound on the Spoon River bridge, with the bridge collapsing into the Spoon River. This closed the line for over 8 months, stranding 3 locomotives at Kolbe, and depriving the railroad of much line-haul business. As of May 21st, the new bridge is in place and open to traffic, but is not quite finished. Currently trains are restricted to 5 mph over the bridge.

Trains newswire (for those who subscribe):

http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20New ... ridge.aspx

For non-trains subscribers, here is a local (to KJ) transportation blogger's report:

http://peoriastation.com/?p=717