Mississippi shortline

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Mississippi & Skuna Valley Railroad

The Mississippi & Skuna Valley operates freight service from a connection with the Canadian National (former Illinois Central, later Illinios Central Gulf) at Bruce Junction, Mississippi, to Bruce, 21 miles away. Incorporated in June 1925, the line today hauls lumber products and is owned by Weyerhaeuser Company. In the early 1970s, when John first photographed the line, the operation was owned by Bruce Flooring--operator of an oak wood flooring mill at Bruce, Ms. As seen below, the road employed a 70 ton GE switcher to handle its 15 - 20 car frieghts. The engine house was at Bruce Junction, Ms.

Motive Power

Mississippi & Skuna Valley #3

GE 70-ton (1951) / Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Mississippi & Skuna Valley #3

  • builder:General Electric
  • model:70-ton
  • type:B-B light switcher
  • built:1951, GE #30840
  • series:193 produced 1046-58
  • engine:CB FWL-6T (6 cyl. 660 hp)
  • notes:
  • _________

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Mississippi & Skuna Valley #1

Alco 2-6-2 (1925) / Builder's photo / Collection

Rolling Stock

The Mississippi & Skuna Valley's caboose was homemade by the railroad, constructed with plywood sheeting.

Mississippi & Skuna Valley caboose

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

near Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Lagniappe

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Coffeeville, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Bruce, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH

Spotlight: Cab Ride with Mr. Miller

While railfanning on the MSV in June of 1970, I parked at a grade crossing to snap some photos of the passing 70 tonner. Unexpectedly, a scrap of paper fell down to the road from the cab window, asking "Do you want to ride to Coffeeville?  Get ahead and flag me."

Engineer George Miller became a fast friend, and from the cab I snapped numerous photos of the line as the 70-tonner worked its train over the Mississippi hills. I rode about 10 miles in the cab, while the brakeman drove my car back to town for me.

George Miller invited me to come back and visit the MSV again, and needless to say I took him up on the offer! On the second trip, I rode the entire length of the line in the cab. The MSV is hilly little railroad, and I will never forget the strange sensations in the cab with that long train behind us, stretched out over the hills. #3 would still be working hard even downhill, but then seemed to be pushed right up the next hill by the momentum of the train.

It was great to ride the entire line. When we finished up the run about 1:00pm, George invited me to his house for lunch. His wife fixed us a country plate lunch I'll never forget.

Jun 1970 / JCH

Jun 1970 / JCH

Jun 1970 / JCH

MSV engineer George Miller at the controls of #3

Links / Sources

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