It has been over forty years since Ridgeway residents last heard the sound of a train whistle coming through town. The last Burlington Northern train rolled through Harrison County on October 2, 1981 “‘This is a sad day’ said Wayne Redinger, a 91 year old resident of Ridgeway”. Frank Harrison also came out to watch the last train come through town. His two older brothers, Sam and Cola, had climbed a tree to see the first train consisting of an engine, tender and one box car arrive in Ridgeway in 188). (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Oct 7, 1981).
Another Ridgeway resident, Max Fordyce who owned Fordyce Seed and Supply, had fought hard to keep the linen operational. He testified in July 1979 to the Missouri Railroad Division about how much farmers and businesses needed the railroad line, which ran from St. Joseph to Humeston, IA, to get their crops, livestock and other goods to market. He had recently expanded his business and wanted at least 30-40 box cars to ship his goods. Other businesses, such as the MFA in Albany, felt that the Burlington Northern railroad was intentionally trying to make it easier to abandon the line by holding back needed box cars and not keeping up the maintenance of the rails. Despite all attempts to make suggestions that might be profitable for both Burlington Northern and local shippers, the railroad maintained that the line must be abandoned as they were losing $1.25 million per year on it. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, July 18, 1979) They didn’t seem to be much interested in keeping it open and in 1981, they were granted permission by a judge for the the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. (Bethany R-C, April 30, 1980).
