Ottumwa and Kirkville Railroad
The Ottumwa and Kirkville Railroad (also Ottumwa and Kirkville Railway) was a railroad company in Wapello County , Iowa in the United States .
The company was founded on October 1, 1881 to develop the two hard coal mines of the subsidiary Wapello Coal Company north of Ottumwa in Kirkville . The capital stock should consist of $ 500,000 in shares of $ 100 each. 1500 shares were issued. The company was founded by Thomas J. Potter (General Manager of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad ), WB Bonnifield (President of the First national Bank of Ottumwa) and three other people. Thomas J. Potter became the company's first president. From 1887 JC Peasley was President of the Society.
The 5.35 kilometer long railway line was built in the standard gauge of 1435 mm. The line branched off from the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at Comstock and Kirkville Junction to the northeast. In addition, the company received route usage rights between Comstock and Ottumwa on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Two train stations were built. In Ottumwa there was a connection to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It cost $ 272,292.16 to build. The company employed 10 people and owned a locomotive. In 1884 8,152 passengers and 152,925 tons of goods were carried, in 1887 12,213 people 237,208 tons of goods. There was a passenger train on weekdays and a second train on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in each direction.
After the coal mines were exhausted, the operation of the lines was stopped on September 4, 1890 and the tracks dismantled. On November 29, 1890, the company was liquidated.
supporting documents
- The Iowa Journal of History , Ed .: State Historical Society of Iowa., 1928, Volume 26 ( Google Books )
- Annual report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners State of Iowa 1884, 1885, 1888