Passenger Rail Service in Pawnee County
Santa Fe
Missouri Pacific
Wichita Northwestern
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Shown in red on this map
Santa Fe Main Line
Larned was on the original main line route of the Santa Fe Railroad, just as it had been on the Santa Fe Trail before that. However, another line was built directly from Hutchinson to Kinsley passing through Stafford County. Over the years, an increasing number of trains took this shortcut.
You can trace this development by looking at timetables for this line for the following dates:
Larned Branch (to Jetmore)
One of the earlier branches on the Santa Fe was called the Larned Branch (because it left the main line at Larned). I'd have called it the Jetmore Branch since that's where it went. For many years, it provided passenger (or at least mixed) service between Jetmore and Larned.
Missouri Pacific
Shown in dark blue on this map
Southeast Kansas to Larned
The Missouri Pacific had a line from southeast Kansas that came as far northwest as Larned. You can trace this development by looking at timetables for this line for the following dates:
Wichita Northwestern
not shown on this map
In the 1930's, another line was built from Pratt to Kinsley (through Byers and Trousdale). It had a branch line with passenger service that took passengers (and freight) north to Larned. At present, I have no timetables for this line, and therefore would appreciate any help available in obtaining (or at least borrowing) such materials.
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