Why did Rock Island RR close down?

Question

Does anyone know any stories about their lines (now abandoned) that went through parts of northeast Kansas?

Answer 1

The Rock went thru 3 bankruptcy filings and was eventually liquidated.  In the 1970's, the UP tried to acquire it in a merger, but the Interstate Commerce Commission took 10 years to make a final decision - with so many conditions that the UP gave up.  

The Rock was final shut down on 3/31/1980.

More links and history on the page below:

Answer 2

There is little info on the parts that went through NE KS.  The Rock Island Technical Society put out an article on the Rock in Leavenworth and Atchison in the 90's, but that's all I have seen.  I have talked with CNW conductors who made some of the first runs on the KC-Des Moines spine line and said that it was several years before you could make the whole trip in 12 hours.  Most NE KS lines were secondary even in good times and saw few trains.  Local service probably dwindled to nothing by the 60's.