This district was a study in contrasts. Originally this entire district madeup the mainline west out of Newton. However, a cutoff was constructed between Hutchison and Kinsley in ???? in effect reducing the importance of the district west of Hutchison. Passenger service from Hutchison westward was then reduced.
In 1942 No's 127&128, westward extensions of the Antelope, still ran over the western portion of this district in addition to the usual doodlebug or mixed. These trains lasted until the spring of 1954 and ended fifteen years of service. The Grand Canyon then made a brief apperance for several months on the western end of the district as trains 123&124. Nos 223&224 replaced 123&124 on the western end of the district. These trains lasted until 1956. This is interesting in that some lightweight passenger equipment made an apperance. These were the gray Valley series 6-6-4 sleepers.
The eastern portion of the district hosted trains such as the Super Chief/ El Capitan in addition to the Grand Canyon, the Chief, and the California Limited. Passenger service still exists on this line as Amtrak's Southwest Chief
Depots on this line were very colorful and varied. Newton, Halstead, Hutchison, Sterling, Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Kinsley all had brick stations. None of them were carbon copies of the other. Alden is an attractive little frame depot which still stands as a museum just a short distance from the tracks in Alden.
Today the Central Kansas operates the line from Hutchsion to Larned. It has been reported that the line from Larned to Kinsley has been abandoned.
Timetable from November 29, 1942
Distance from Atchison
MP 185.1 NEWTON
MP 186.7 SAND CREEK
MP 194.6 HALSTEAD
MP 204.1 St.L&S.F. CROSSING/ BURRTON
MP 211.2 SOLVAY
MP 214.9 WAY
MP 216.5 C.R.I.&P. CROSSING
MP 218.0 HUTCHISON
MP 218.2 HUTCHISON JCT
MP 223.2 YAGGY
MP 228.6 NICKERSON
MP 235.7 Mo. Pac. CROSSING
MP 236.7 STERLING
MP 242.9 ALDEN
MP 249.0 RAYMOND
MP 253.5 CLARENDON
MP 259.4 ELLINWOOD
MP 263.9 DARTMOUTH
MP 269.5 GREAT BEND
MP 277.3 DUNDEE
MP 283.0 PAWNEE ROCK
MP 291.8 LARNED
MP 297.4 HAMBURG
MP 302.5 GARFIELD see Wheat Lines and Super Freights p. 80
MP 309.4 NETTLETON
MP 316.7 KINSLEY