At one time the Missouri Pacific Railroad operated several car ferries along the Mississippi River. One of those operations was between Natchez, Mississippi and Vidalia, Louisiana. In March of 1982 photographer Ken Albrecht recorded these views of a float approaching, then docking at the landing on the Natchez (east) side of the river.
The crew of the MoPac owned towboat ‘Natchez’ guiding their barge across the Mississippi River toward the landing in Natchez. That’s Vidalia on the far (west) side of the river. Seen on the barge is MoPac GP38-2 #2167 and assorted cars.The ferry is slowly approaching the landing, using the river’s current (flowing to the left) to help steer it into place.The ferry is now tethered to the landing’s ramp, and another MoPac Geep has entered the scene. It will pull the other locomotive and its cars off of the barge, make up its train, then climb up the bank of the river and head for the ICG connection.
Although the railroad had seen busier times than this now weekly connection, by 1982 the traffic was down to a trickle. It was fortunate that Ken documented the service as it was discontinued shortly after this in June of 1982.
3 thoughts on “A MoPac Car Ferry”
Great photos!
Great photo documentation of a long-gone means of crossing the Big Muddy! Thanks for preserving the memory.
Great photos!
Great photo documentation of a long-gone means of crossing the Big Muddy! Thanks for preserving the memory.
COOL!