Name this railroad!

[NSFan14]

I thought of a cool game. WOW!!! It sounded weird me thinking of somthing....lol But i start off i give you a hint about a railroad if you can get the answer correctly then its your turn then we just keep it up from there

:)
Alex

[NSFan14]

This RR is a SHORTLINE. It is part of the Anticosta corp. and it runs from Jeffersonville,IN to Columbus,IN(Maybe INDIANAPOLIS) People around the Kentuciana area should know this answer.

:)
Alex

[friscobob]

My guess is the Louisville & Indiana RR.

[BoxcabE50]

Louisville & Indiana RR Co. (LIRC.) www.anacostia.com (http://www.anacostia.com)

Boxcab E50

[NSFan14]

My guess is the Louisville & Indiana RR.
Friscobob got it first. Sorry boxie. So your next Friscobob.

:)
Alex

[friscobob]

OK, here goes:

One of the earliest predecessors of this Class III shortline was called the Arkansas & Choctaw, and intersected with the Ft. Smith & Southern at the new village of Raymondvale (which was renamed after a famous novelist) in Indian Territory. The latter line was part of a route between St. Louis and Dallas, TX.

Name this Class 1 spinoff.

[Matthew Roberts]

Arkansas & Missouri?

And if that's wrong, do I get another guess?

[friscobob]

No, sorry, just one guess per contestant.

Good guess, but wrong answer :D

One correction- the name of the town was Raymondvale, but it isn't now.

[randgust]

Arkansas & Oklahoma? (A-OK?) (man, this is a tough one!)

[BNSF FAN]

How about the Kiamichi RR?

[friscobob]

BINGO!!!!!!
The Choctaw & Arkansas was a predecessor road from Ashdown west into Indian Tewrritory. It intersected the Ft. Smith & Southern (later a St. Louis-San Francisco line) an Raymondvale, later renamed Hugo for the famous novelist. The east-west line became part of the Frisco, I.T> became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907. Frisco merged with BN in 1980, and in early 1981 the line north of Antlers, OK to Wister, OK was abandoned & ripped up. This part of the former Frisco's Central Division was spun off in 1987 and became the Kiamichi Railroad. Privately owned by the Hadley family at first, KRR was purchased by Statesrail in the late 1990s. Statesrail was later absorbed by Rail America.

[NSFan14]

BINGO!!!!!!
The Choctaw & Arkansas was a predecessor road from Ashdown west into Indian Tewrritory. It intersected the Ft. Smith & Southern (later a St. Louis-San Francisco line) an Raymondvale, later renamed Hugo for the famous novelist. The east-west line became part of the Frisco, I.T> became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907. Frisco merged with BN in 1980, and in early 1981 the line north of Antlers, OK to Wister, OK was abandoned & ripped up. This part of the former Frisco's Central Division was spun off in 1987 and became the Kiamichi Railroad. Privately owned by the Hadley family at first, KRR was purchased by Statesrail in the late 1990s. Statesrail was later absorbed by Rail America.

Who's turn is it now???

[HemiAdda2d]

Do you need a volunteer?
I have one in mind, but I need to check my resources at home to make sure I have the info correct...

[HemiAdda2d]

New question:

Incorporated in December 1880
Envisioned connecting the Great Plains with the Front Range of the Rockies, and westward over the Continental Divide
Laid narrow gauge track from Denver to south of Longmont to Lyons, CO
2 tunnels at more than 10,000 feet elvation would be required to pierce the Divide
Can you name this Railroad?

[NSFan14]

New question:

Incorporated in December 1880
Envisioned connecting the Great Plains with the Front Range of the Rockies, and westward over the Continental Divide
Laid narrow gauge track from Denver to south of Longmont to Lyons, CO
2 tunnels at more than 10,000 feet elvation would be required to pierce the DivideCan you name this Railroad?
Yall just have to lay them western RR's on me...lol

My guess is Rio Grande

[MOPMAN]

Denver South Park & Pacific? Just a guess.

[HemiAdda2d]

Yall just have to lay them western RR's on me...lol

My guess is Rio Grande
D&RGW would have been way too easy! No, sorry, that's not it...

Denver South Park & Pacific? Just a guess.

Negative, Ghost Rider....:shade: You are getting slightly warmer...

[MOPMAN]

Denver & Salt Lake

[Matthew Roberts]

I think we have a winner! Hemi?

[HemiAdda2d]

Denver & Salt Lake
Nope; but you're getting closer....

I think we have a winner! Hemi? Not just yet, Matt...:zip:

[fitz]

Colorado and Southern? :confused2:

[HemiAdda2d]

Colorado and Southern? :confused2:
No...

Getting warm, but yet, getting colder. :shade:

Need a hint?

[HemiAdda2d]

It was leased to CB&Q, and portions were standard-gauged...

[friscobob]

Well, that leaves out the Ft. Worth and Denver City.......

[Matthew Roberts]

And the Colorado Midland is out.

[HemiAdda2d]

You guys are narrowing it down......:)

[Matthew Roberts]

Denver, Utah, & Pacific Railroad? :angel:

[Itsa Timmy]

:omg: aww, Matthew just beat me to it. Good Job :thumbs_up:

"In 1887 the C., B. & Q. purchased the securities of the Denver, Utah & Pacific railroad company, a narrow gauge road from Denver to Lyons, Colorado, with two short branches, aggregating about 49 miles of road, which had been built from 1881 to 1885. It was, however, operated independently and was not included in the mileage of the C., B. & Q. until 1889, when it was changed to standard gauge."

[Matthew Roberts]

Sorry. ;) ;)

[HemiAdda2d]

Denver, Utah, & Pacific Railroad? :angel:

Maybe that clue was too good of a clue....
You are correct. The DU&P had done some grading into what is now South Boulder Canyon, but never laid track into SBC. David Moffat and his Denver, Northwestern & Pacific built high ont he canyon wall above the DU&P mainline. Much of the DU&P still exists as sturdy rockwork, and grading..

Great job!

Next!

[Matthew Roberts]

Last common-carrier narrow-gauge railroad to be built in the U.S.

First incorporated in 1914, reincorporated under a different name in 1917.

Locomotives acquired secondhand from the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, recently abandoned. Ran west from a connection with the Oregon Short Line in Divide.

Abandoned in 1941.

Try it. :teeth:

[Itsa Timmy]

The Southern Montana Railway AKA The Montana Southern Railway.:teeth:

[Matthew Roberts]

You are too good. :omg: :omg: :omg: :omg:

YOU WIN!

I loathe you, in a good way.

[Itsa Timmy]

Google helps alot.:teeth:


Organized in 1903 as an interurban railroad, this line failed to connect the 3 city's that form its name.
It survives today as a class 3 switching railroad consisting of two seperate yards. Major customers are a gravel pit, cement industry, and two large grain elevators.

[r_i_straw]

Ops guess I didn't know the rules.

[Matthew Roberts]

Hey, Russ. Next time. Itsa Timmy already posted a railroad. ;)

[N_S_L]

Excellent topic idea.... :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

[SteveM76]

how about the line with the steepest non-cogged grade? NSfan you should know this one!!!

[HemiAdda2d]

Yule Tram, near Marble CO. Fourteen percent grade to marble quarries. Connected with Crystal River and San Juan Railroad...

[SteveM76]

Yule Tram, near Marble CO. Fourteen percent grade to marble quarries. Connected with Crystal River and San Juan Railroad...
oops, I should have said steepest grade of any line haul railroad in the U.S. I think the grade is still used today by a port authority of the namesake town.

[HemiAdda2d]

Tacoma Hill, former CMStP&P? Round about 4%...

[wurlitzer153]

Google helps alot.:teeth:


Organized in 1903 as an interurban railroad, this line failed to connect the 3 city's that form its name.
It survives today as a class 3 switching railroad consisting of two seperate yards. Major customers are a gravel pit, cement industry, and two large grain elevators.

Anybody answer this one yet?

[friscobob]

Madison Incline, once operated by Pennsylvania RR. Over 5% grade. Next steepest would be the Saluda Hill grade (SOU/NS).

[randgust]

I think Friscobob ought to get the credit, but if we're under game show rules here's the answer ... ?

It would be the Madison Railroad today, and the original name was the "Madison, Indianapolis, and Lafayette Railroad Company"

I only do this because I've got a brain teaser just waiting, but have to win here before I get to lay it all on you!

[friscobob]

I knew Madison was in the name somewhere....................

Who's next with a railroad? I've had my turn already.

[r_i_straw]

Who's next with a railroad? I've had my turn already.
How bout Randy? He got it too.

[Matthew Roberts]

This is getting confusing. :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh:

[SteveM76]

friscobob got it. I think the grade is 5.89% at one point.

[r_i_straw]

friscobob got it. But he doesn't want it. At least the next question.:embarassed::zip:

[wurlitzer153]

Google helps alot.:teeth:


Organized in 1903 as an interurban railroad, this line failed to connect the 3 city's that form its name.
It survives today as a class 3 switching railroad consisting of two seperate yards. Major customers are a gravel pit, cement industry, and two large grain elevators.

I don't think this one's been answered, yet.

[r_i_straw]

Fort Wayne, Logansport, Lafayette & Lima Traction Co.

[randgust]

OK, I'm not sure who won that last round, but here's mine.

This line was reincorporated in 2000 as a new railroad, using a predecessor name of the Pennsylvania Railroad that was absorbed in the 1920's. While it well fits the same geographic area of the PRR predecessor, it has virtually none of any of the original historic PRR track in the 100+ mile railroad today, only the original name.

The line actually used was once a major east-west high-speed main line railroad, with its original incorporation back to September, 1853.

The center of the railroad was virtually abandoned and physically disconnected for eleven years.

Today it is again an active east-west coal hauling route, and is famous amoung railfans for an active fleet of Alco Century locomotives.

The line again expanded in 2005, absorbing a branch line originally built to wide gauge.

1. Name the railroad today
2. Name the original 1853 railroad
3. Name the 1960-1976 railroad

Happy Googling!

[r_i_straw]

But then again the answer to Itsa Timmy was probably the OMAHA, LINCOLN, AND BEATRICE RAILWAY COMPANY (OL&B).

[friscobob]

But then again the answer to Itsa Timmy was probably the OMAHA, LINCOLN, AND BEATRICE RAILWAY COMPANY (OL&B).

a/k/a the Big Red Line. Pretty pretentious nickname for such a small railroad.

[Itsa Timmy]

Good job.:thumbs_up:
And thanks Wurlitzer and Matthew for making shure I'm not left out.:angel:

Quoted from here: http://five24.com/eastcampus/default.asp?t=grp&g=NEWS&id=17 Scroll down 1\4 of the page to transportation to read the whole thing.

The reason for the "Big Red" is that George Abel, Jr., is a former University of Nebraska football player and president of NEBCO Inc. (NEBCO owns OL&B)

[friscobob]

I don't doubt that for a minute, sez this native-born Husker from Beatrice......:teeth:

[r_i_straw]

Delaware-Lackawanna
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Erie Lacawanna

[randgust]

Russell, your're right on the third one. Keep trying on the other two though.

Here's another clue. They are now running an ex-A&M Alco C630, among others, which actually gives you two clues in one.

[r_i_straw]

Russell, your're right on the third one. Keep trying on the other two though.

Here's another clue. They are now running an ex-A&M Alco C630, among others, which actually gives you two clues in one.

Western New york & Pennsylvania Railroad?

[BoxcabE50]

Hmm. This has me baffled. If Russell is correct about the Erie-Lackawanna RR... The Erie was once noted for being broad gauge. But I don't get a connection to any Pennsylvania RR predecessor from that..... :confused:

Boxcab E50

[BoxcabE50]

Western New york & Pennsylvania Railroad?

That's definitely mostly old Erie RR trackage.

Boxcab E50

[randgust]

There ya go. WNYP. See wnyprr.com for the system map.

History in a nutshell is that from Salamanca NY (original NY-Dunkirk Erie Railroad) to the Ohio Line, it was originally the Atlantic & Great Western (at 6' gauge), absorbed into the Erie system, and into the Erie Lackawanna merger. This was the main line New-York-Chicago route of NY99 and NY100, the two hot all-pig UPS trains that EL had, with track speeds of 65mph typical.

Post-Conrail, the railroad was steadily downgraded, loosing the second main, signals, yards, and traffic. Despite New York's protests, the line was severed for through traffic in 1992, rails disconnected between Corry, PA and Jamestown, NY. Portions that remained were 10mph.

Conrails de-merger placed the line in the NS sphere, and in 2000 NS leased the line to WNYP, it took almost two years to reopen and rebuild the line to FRA III standards again, including new welded rail. It is now a coal route between Pittsburgh and upper NY State/Gang Mills/Binghampton, seeing 5-7 unit coal trains per week, plus local traffic.

Power is all NS on the run-through coal trains, but locals are powered by an assortment of Alco Centuries from the parent LA&L organization, including C424's, 425's, C430's, and C630 #630, painted in WNYP.

The original Western New York & Pennsylvania was a rather large regional between New Castle, Oil City Rochester, and Buffalo. It had its own corporate identity, herald, and system map schedule until about 1920, when it was completely absorbed into the PRR. Except for a few sidings in Corry, and now Oil City, none of the original WNYP PRR track is in the all ex-Erie system at the moment.

WNYP took over the NS ex-Erie Meadville-Oil City-Rouseville branch into Oil City in 2005. This was the first railroad into the Pennsylvania oil region by about 1860, again, built to broad 6' gauge.

[BoxcabE50]

I recently read of a regional, (KB&S?), which was retiring their ALCos due to parts problems. I hope WNY&P has no such troubles? If traffic merits, would this line be further upgraded? Signals, etc?

:D

Boxcab E50

[randgust]

Our firm did the engineering for the original track rehab project, and in the 'name the railroad' contest when they very first started, I threw in the historic ex-PRR WNY&P name in the hat. Out of the 30 or so ideas submitted from various sources, that was the one they actually picked! They didn't pick the herald though, and I liked that herald. Its on this book cover of the history of the line:
http://www.theoldandwearycarshop.com/wnyandprybook.jpg
So in my own 'name the railroad' contest, I actually got to help name it, possibly one of the strangest things to ever happen in my life.

The line is being upgraded, mostly complete replacement of stick rail to welded. 40mph is fast enough for unit coal. Passing sidings have been replaced at several locations, and "fast-pass" signals are in place at selected locations that include engineer-radio controlled switches and interlocking signals. So some signals have been put back, but it would probably never see a return to classic Rule 251 block signals again.

It's really an amazing story and its one of the better unknown restorations of a line that was effectively abandoned brought back to main line status again. I grew up along the line back in the 1970's and well remember the E-L, and I always believed in the route and the railroad.

[BoxcabE50]

It is remarkable. While I had heard the company name, and a little about them operating, I'd no idea of it's extent or success.

Hmmmm. I'd like to see my youthful favorite RR restored! :teeth: Could I borrow some of your magical influence? Ha ha.

:D

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

OK, there were two different questions floating on this thread and I guess I answered them both. Does that mean I have to come up with two mysery railroads for the next question? ;)

[BoxcabE50]

Russell-

Ha ha. Get busy!

:thumbs_up:

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

OK, to start I guess I should review the rules. I blew it the other day and posted a mystery railroad without first answering a question correctly. I withdrew the question but then we still had two questions going for a while. So, you have to answer a question correctly first before you get to post one.

Well anyway, here we go.
This railroad was built as a direct competitor to the James River Canal in Virginia. It was chartered in the mid 1840s and completed in nine years to connect two "Burgs" in Virginia. A big engineering feat for its time was the bridge this railroad built over the Appomattox River. The timber-truss and brick-pier structure stood 125 feet over the water and was over 1/2 mile long. Most of the railroad was destroyed in the Civil War.

What was the name of this railroad?
What railroad was it consolidated with when it was rebuilt after the Civil War?

[BoxcabE50]

What was the name of this railroad?
What railroad was it consolidated with when it was rebuilt after the Civil War?

OK. Back before "The *Bay" boys went nuts, I remember a switch key being auctioned from this RR. A friend of mine bid on it, but didn't win. The guy had a history with it. It was the Richmond &_________ RR. Initials on the key were "R&ARR." I think it said this eventually went into the C&O?

:confused:

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Nope, wrong answers. Try again.

[Itsa Timmy]

South Side Railroad.

Also here is the bridge you speak of:
http://www.eastman.org/ar/sketchbook/m198100040098_ful.html#topofimage

Consolidated with the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad.

[r_i_straw]

Got it. Now it is part of NS. When it was first built, it provided a link with the Virginia & Tennessee over the Blue Ridge Mountains, for the first all rail route from the East Coast to New Orleans. Many of the 49 ers heading for the California gold rush took this to catch a ship out of New Orleans for Panama for an over land hike to catch another ship on the Pacific side for San Francisco.

[Itsa Timmy]

Allright, name the railroad that built this bridge.
http://www.worldtimzone.com/railtrail/highbridge/hbconstructioncompletefromshaker-small.png
Also name the railroad that attempted this crossing about 25 years prior.

[r_i_straw]

Is that the one President Rutherford B. Hayes made the first recorded bungee jump off of? Opps, I better shut up.:zip:

[BoxcabE50]

:omg: I have no clue at all. But it's too high, and looks too spindly for me!

:sad:

Boxcab E50

[Itsa Timmy]

Need a hint?
When the bridge was completed in 1877, it was not only the first cantilever bridge in North America, but also the highest and longest cantilever in the world.

In 1910 it was rebuilt and used the same footings as the original bridge and was built around the original. By raising the track deck of the new bridge almost 30 feet above the existing deck, railroad traffic was able to continue uninterrupted during the rebuilding.
http://www.worldtimzone.com/railtrail/highbridge/hbrebuildinghousesbelow1.jpg
http://www.worldtimzone.com/railtrail/highbridge/hbrebuildingdonedeckremoved.jpg
Besides being double-tracked and the limestone towers removed in 1929, its has retained the same look and is still in use today.

[jim157]

I will take a guess at the Cincinatti and Southern or the Lexington and Danville. Who owns it now I do not know seen something on the history channel about the civil war and it showed up. The name of the bridge is the High Bridge

[r_i_straw]

Is that the one President Rutherford B. Hayes made the first recorded bungee jump off of? Opps, I better shut up.:zip:
In reality, President Hayes dedicated this bridge.

[BoxcabE50]

The Cincinnati Southern Railroad .

Believe this is now Norfolk Southern.

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Here is the Web Page (http://www.worldtimzone.com/railtrail/highbridge/) on it. I think Jim157 got both names asked for in Itsa Timmy's question, Cincinatti and Southern and the Lexington and Danville.

[Itsa Timmy]

Yup, I stumbled upon that page while looking for yours, so I figured I'd use it. The pictures of the construction and reconstruction of that bridge are pretty neat.

[jim157]

The railroad is still active today and going strong known by another name. This is how the line looked in 1910. Bonus if you can tell the location of the picture.

[BoxcabE50]

I'm certain it's not-But this sure makes me think of the old Great Northern near Wellington, WA. Looks like there is further right of way on the hill above. Which should eliminate my guess.

Boxcab E50

[jim157]

You should go with your first instict here is a link with a bunch of cool pics of that area: http://home1.gte.net/mvmmvm/picts/pre1910.html

You are completly right

[friscobob]

Well, since it's been a while, I'll try one.

This railroad was built around 1910 to serve two county seats in northeastern Texas. One of its customers was an oil refinery that burned down in the 1940s. It was abandoned in 1956. Even after 50 years, you can still see most of the ROW from the adjacent US highway.

Some say it should have been built as an interurban instead of a steam road. IIRC, one of its steamers is still in existence at the Texas State Railroad.

Guesses, anyone? Bonus points if you can name the town the refinery was in.

[BoxcabE50]

Marshall & East Texas Railway?

:D

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Was it the Paris & Mount Pleasant RR?

[BoxcabE50]

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, the M&ET was gone long before 1956.

:embarassed:

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, the M&ET was gone long before 1956.

:embarassed:

Boxcab E50
Well, the T&P took over some of it and the rest was gone.

[BoxcabE50]

Well, I'm late to the game. Having hit a correct answer, a couple of days ago, I should have posted one. But could not find the photo in mind. Until just now. Darn thing had managed to slide behind another in an old album! Here it is:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/697/scan4.jpg

It might not be hard to identify the railroad. But then you might be fooled. Then, where are we? And why?

:D

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

That looks something like Snoqualmine Pass in Washington State on the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway. When the Snoqualmine Pass tunnel was opened between Hyak and Rockdale in 1915 this place was bypassed.

[BoxcabE50]

Hmmm. Someone must have had inside knowledge..... :omg:

It is on Snoqualmie Pass. But the station name is Laconia. This view was taken late the first winter of operations. Some time after March of 1909. View is looking west. There is no water tank as yet. Much construction equipment is material is still present. And the little Class C telegraph office has not been altered.

The building at right stood well into my lifetime. Burning down a couple of decades or so ago. Otherwise, everything here is a distant memory. And a four lane road in the Summit ski area is atop this site.

:D

Boxcab E50

[friscobob]

Russ- you guessed correctly!!

The refinery was at Talco, and shipped asphaltic oil. IIRC, there are still oil wells in the TAlco area.

The late, lamented Journal of Texas Shortlines had a complete writeup of the Pa & Ma back in the late 1990s.

[r_i_straw]

Once again I have to answer two questions to get to ask one. ;)

Ken, I can't help it if that place looked familiar. I think I helped dig the tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass in a past life.
Bob, my sister in law is from Talco. I thought that must be an old right of way along US 271.

[r_i_straw]

This railroad was chartered in the late 1800s to serve a sugar cane plantation in Texas. One of the founding partners, in both the railroad and plantation, was a one armed Civil War veteran and the other was an entrepreneur who got his start selling dry goods from the back of a wagon. They started out using horse drawn wagons on a crude rail line until a real locomotive and freight cars could be purchased. The railroad interchanged freight with both the MKT and Santa Fe. After one partner bought the other out, the relationship soured and led to a hostile feud where the one armed Civil War veteran was killed in a shootout with his former partner aboard a passenger train on another railroad. The feud continued with the friends and relatives of the dead partner trying to avenge the killing by hunting down the other partner. He decided to sell the railroad in the early 1900s and move to San Antonio to avoid being shot. When the sale was first announced, the local press jumped to conclusions and published that it was the MKT that had gained control. However they had to make a correction when it turned out that it was the Santa Fe.

[BoxcabE50]

The Cane Belt Railroad.

:D

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

The Cane Belt Railroad.

:D

Boxcab E50

Here is a cool Web Site (http://www.eaglelakedepot.com/CaneBeltHistory.htm) about it.

[friscobob]

Once again I have to answer two questions to get to ask one. ;)

Ken, I can't help it if that place looked familiar. I think I helped dig the tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass in a past life.
Bob, my sister in law is from Talco. I thought that must be an old right of way along US 271.

Russ:

You can follow the old P&MtP ROW from just north of Pattonville to just north of the Sulphur River bridges. I'm not sure where the ROW goes thru Talco, but if I can find that issue of Journal of Texas Shortlines I'll find out.

The Pa & Ma was one of five railroads that called on Paris until 1956, the other four being the Texas & Pacific, Santa Fe, Frisco, and Teaxs Midland. Now there is but one (Kiamichi), reaching Paris from the north over the remnant of Frisco's Arthur Sub.