Mississippian Railroad

Standard Gauge,  lb. rail Headquarters: Fulton, MS (Itawamba County) Years of Operation: 1923-present Predecessor road: none  Successor road: none Miles Operated: 44 Locomotives Owned: steam-5 diesel- ?	Equipment	Click Map for Larger Version
History by Tony Howe: The Mississippian was incorporated in 1923 and built a railroad from Amory to Fulton, MS. John T Cochrane, who had just finished completing the Alabama Tennessee & Northern RR, was the major promoter and builder of the railroad. The discovery of large deposits of Bentonite clay in the 1950's bolstered the Mississippian's carloadings and ensured the survival of the railroad for many more years. It continues to operate in 2009 serving an industrial park in the south part of Fulton.
Mississippian's engine facilities at Amory.	Mississippian 76 makes its way through the weeds in the 1960's.	Mississippian 76 about to cross the highway at Smithville in 1966.
Mississippian 76 switching in 1962.	Mississippian Alco S-2 at the Smithville loader.	No. 314 with train between Amory and Fulton.
Mississippian's caboose was bought secondhand from the Frisco.	Pan shot of Mississippian 77 about 1957.	View from 76 looking out of the shop at Amory.
Mississippian's picturesque shops at Amory.	76 passes a Bentonite plant that provided much-needed traffic to the Mississippian.	76 at the Mississippian depot at Fulton.
Mississippian 77 makes its way along the weed-covered mainline about 1957.		Mississippian No. 10 was a former AT&N locomotive. It is shown here at Amory in June 1940.
	Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern 41 became Mississippian 77 in 1947 when it was bought from the Frisco, who had taken over the Arkansas shortline in 1926.
STEAM ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:       Road No.   Type   Builder   C.N.   Date   Cyls.   Dri. Dia.   Engine Wt.   Previous Ownership   Disposition   661   2-6-0   Baldwin   11468   12/1890   18x24   53   100000   South Florida #28. Savannah, Florida & Western #228, in 1893. Atlantic Coast Line #661,  in 1902. Mississippian #661, on 9/14/1923. Baldwin class 8-30 D 391   Scrapped 1935.   10   2-6-0   Baldwin   31844   10/1907   17x24   48   100000   Alabama, Tennessee & Northern #10. Mississippian #10, in 1925. Baldwin class 8-28 D 250   Scrapped at Birmingham, AL, in 1947.   36   0-6-0   Lima   1183   10/1911   20x26   51   145000    Mobile & Ohio #36. Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #36, in 8/1940. Mississippian #36, in 1941.   Amory Sand & Gravel Co. #36, Amory, MS, ca. 1946. Scrapped 1948.   76   2-8-0   Baldwin   54265   12/1920   19x24   48   135800   Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern #40, Jonesboro, AR St. Louis San Francisco #76, on 3/18/1926. Mississippian #76, on 1/10/1948. Baldwin class 10-32 E 174   Penn View Mountain R.R. #76, Blairsville, PA, in 9/1967. Gettysburg R.R. #76, Gettysburg, PA, in 10/1976.   77   2-8-0   Baldwin   54266   12/1920   19x24   48   135800   Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern #41, Jonesboro, AR St. Louis San Francisco #77, on 3/17/1926. Mississippian #77, on 3/12/1947. Baldwin class 10-32 E 175   Muscle Shoals Railroad Club, Tuscumbia, AL, in 1968.

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For more information contact Tony Howe at howe6818@bellsouth.net or David S. Price at dsprice46@bellsouth.net

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