| On a muggy SEMO Independence Day 2005 we pace UP Train LSI55 04 rolling south on the Sikeston Industrial Lead on their way back to Poplar Bluff. The line had recently been upgraded to 40 MPH with new ties, a lot of ballast, and new tie plates were laid out, along with brand new welded rail waiting to be installed in anticipation of running upwards of 20 trains a day between Rockview Jct. near Chaffee and Dexter, essentially making a southbound main line, while the Chester Sub. would be for northbounds, avoiding a double tracking project. However, due to community and political opposition because of an overpass over US Highway 60 that nobody wanted to help UP pay for, this plan was given up on, and the line has since been filed for abandonment north (compass east) of Essex, MO. For a moment back in 2005, it was smooth sailing for a B30-7A of Mo-Pac origin, and SP 7956, an EMD GP40-2--smooth sailing at 40 MPH on jointed rail right into a severe thunderstorm. |