Surviving Three-Way Interlocking Crossing - Columbus, KS
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 10.210 W 094° 50.315
15S E 336767 N 4115332
Was one of three in the world, now is the only one left. No longer on a line, but a display reserved.
Waymark Code: WM17C9T
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 01/25/2023
Views: 1
County of Three-Way: Cherokee County
Location of Marker: S. Tennessee Ave., Columbus Museum lawn attached to display caboose, Columbus
Marker Erected by: Columbus Lions Club
Marker Text:
Unique railroading history is on display before you. A three-way interlocking railway crossing.
The crossing, formerly located in the northern part of Columbus, was donated to the City of Columbus by the Burlington Northern Railroad. At the time, the switch was constructed, it was one of the three built; one in Hamburg, Germany, destroyed during the war, and one in Pennsylvania which was removed within a short time. The crossing before you is the only one remaining.
The Columbus Wye, as the crossing was called, was well known by those familiar with the railway system. It was listed in every railroad exchange in the United States, showing which rail was used to reach the proper destination.
When the crossing was installed, it had 90 lb rail. When diesel engines came on the scene in 1958 it was changed to 115 lb rail to handle the additional weight. The original crossing held up until 1968 when it was replaced with an exact replica, and was in use until 1981 when it was replaced with a two-way crossing.