Abandoned Trackage

SimRacin14 Sep 5, 2008

  1. ValleyTrain

    ValleyTrain New Member

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    In Harlingen, Tx. I have found some tracks behind a apartment complex that was built in mid to late 2006. I was walking around to see the field and what the farmer was growing. I stepped on metal and thought I was gonna fall. I moved the grass to find a rail still in tact. The farmer pretty much plows along the side of it and he leaves it alone. To line runs east to west. About 1 block east is the Union Pacific Rail Line where MOPAC and Southern Pacific once ruled. The complex is located on Washington and Ed Carey. I dont have pictures now since I am currently in Iraq. (Coming home by end of Month..Thank God). I will return to the area and grab up some pictures. It seems that the rail ran to the Community College located by the Harlingen Airport a few miles west of the Apartment Complex. The buildings show a rail dock that once loaded supplies of the such. I am guessing it relates to the Airport. Flying out goods or so. I have much research to do and see where it leads. Anyone out there reply back on my ValleyTrain. Thank you
     
  2. Fluesheet

    Fluesheet TrainBoard Member

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    First of all, beautiful / fascinating photos. The daylighted tunnel with the liner still in place is one of the strangest things I've ever seen.

    Matt
     
  3. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's even stranger to walk thru. And dangerous! About half of the liner has collapsed on the western end, and the eastern end is not far behind. The last trains rolled thru here in the late 70's.
     
  4. JohnZX2

    JohnZX2 TrainBoard Member

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    Abandoned track has always intrigued me for some reason. Here’s a pic of a siding close to where I live.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29892982@N07/3046230151/sizes/l/

    It was used as late as the early 90’s, as I remember seeing it used as a kid. Most of the track has been taking up or paved over, only this small section remains. I’m waiting for this last section to be removed as it makes for a very bumpy ride when going over, and I’m sure more then a few people have complained about it.

    There is also a line about and hour north of me that has been removed, minus the rails in the grade crossings. I’ll post pics up of it as soon as I get some.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Winter of 1980.

    Boxcab E50
     
  6. ValleyTrain

    ValleyTrain New Member

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    I found some old track in Harlingen, Tx. I was visiting a friend on Washington and Ed Carey Drive. Behind the apt complex is a field. Closer look showed rails that traveled east to west. A block east is the Union Pacific railroad. I know that MoPac and Southern Pacific ruled this before. I even google the town and Southern Pacific comes up. The line looks like it ran to Texas State Technical College. The Airport is right next to it. I asked some locals about it. Some tell me that good were taken to some of the warehouse's that still stand. I dont see much use of them. I do see the loading docks that reflect where box cars can be positioned to load/unload. The field has a farmer who plants on a yearly basis. He just plows beside the rail line and leaves it alone. As far as he knows, its RailRoad property. He says it doesnt bother him. I dont have pictures now since I am across the pond. Upon returning I will make it a point to take pictures. I know right now it is brown and dried up. Anyone there in the area should get ahead of me and see what you can find. There is so much history in these towns. I also know that Harlingen has a depot. Right now it is owned by a golf cart company. It is a shame that the city would allow the depot to get into private hands and not keep it as a depot. I had the power, I would take it back and resurface the depot for all to see. God Bless everyone
     
  7. Burlington Northern Fan

    Burlington Northern Fan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Cowboy Lines East of Chadron NE

    Not sure if this is the right place for this but here goes, My brother-inlaw that works MOW for BNSF, sayes that BNSF Structures and Engineering Teams have spent all summer evaluating the Cowboy Line for possible BNSF reactivation. He sayes that the BNSF Coal Lines are out of capacity and needs to expand it's trackage. Otherwise it has no more room for more coal traffic. Was wondering if anybody else has heard anything else on this.
     
  8. SimRacin14

    SimRacin14 TrainBoard Member

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    I will mention that yesterday I followed some more abandoned trackage in Kentucky. I went past Young's High Bridge near Tyrone,KY, as well as followed the former L&N Lebanon Branch from Junction City to Mitchellsburg. On the old L&N line most of the roadbed is still there,it's had some overgrowth on it(and a lot of trees down,due to the ice storm). Wish I could've seen the branch when it was still active. That line and road might've been decent for some pacing videos.
     
  9. JCater

    JCater TrainBoard Member

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    Here are a few of my more recent shots along the old DRGW Farmington branch:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    As an archaeologist I get to deal with many abandoned railroad lines. I have recorded many of these historic properties from Michigan to Utah. I am always amazed at some of these lines, especially the logging and mining lines in Michigan and Colorado.
     
  10. seanm

    seanm TrainBoard Member

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    This is an abandond car float in Point Richmond CA.

    [​IMG]

    more pictures here: Album: ferry
     
  11. Mr. Train

    Mr. Train TrainBoard Member

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    Siding in Chadwick IL

    Old siding in town they used to bring in coal and feed years ago.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Looks in useful condition. They can use it still. But slooooowly. :angel:

    Wolfgang
     
  13. Mr. Train

    Mr. Train TrainBoard Member

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    They do park some rail repair equipment just off the main but stop before the flag, ties are in bad shape when you look close.
     
  14. bigford

    bigford TrainBoard Member

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    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 10, 2009
  15. Geared Steam

    Geared Steam Permanently dispatched

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    Rails into the pines, this is NOT my picture, unfortunately I don't recall what website I seen it, it's been on my computer for several years. I have visited the location but at the time did not have my camera with me. (doh!!)
    Its taken at the Southern Forest History Museum in Longleaf LA. It is an abandonded sawmill that was reclaimed and is now in the care of the museum. In the fully grown pines and the jungles of Louisiana, was hidden a full sawmill complex, machinery and all, with several steam locos and log loading equipment. I would highly recommend a visit if you are ever in the Alexander LA area, the museum website is here.
    http://www.forestheritagemuseum.org/

    It is very strange to take the tour, it was if the workers just picked up and left, several work areas still had old metal lunch pails still sitting there, waiting for the owners to return.


    edit: Pictures are at abandondedrailroads.com under Red River & Gulf RR.

    http://www.abandonedrailroads.com/la_red_river_and_gulf.htm
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2009
  16. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    The RR&G site is informative. I'm surprised to read that there is more than one Cocodrie in Louisiana. The only one I'm familiar with is 20-25 miles south of Houma, directly on the Gulf. The one mentioned in the RR&G write-up appears to have been somewhere north of Alexandria. Do you have any more information?
     
  17. Geared Steam

    Geared Steam Permanently dispatched

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    Hytec
    Thats a good question, one that I cannot answer, of all of the towns he mentions
    "Louisiana Jct, Audebert, Causey and ending at the Rock Island in Mederain, also a sawmill town" not one exists as far as google maps is concerned. I assume that these were sawmills towns that dried up and blew away once the mills closed. Obviously he can't be referring to the Cocodrie south of Houma. James Hefner had a quite detailed website concerning the RR & G, but his site has been gone for quite sometime.
     
  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow. Miraculous. To have such a historic find. I wish we could be so lucky as to have something similar in the Pacific NW.

    Boxcab E50
     
  19. Geared Steam

    Geared Steam Permanently dispatched

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    What surprises me is the condition that some of these are in, Louisiana weather, humidity and tropical rainforests aren't exactly kind to wood, steel iron I would think they would all be a pile of rust by now. This place has to be seen to be believed, giant steam engines used to run the sawmill, track running off through the pine trees, I really need to go back and get some good photos.
     
  20. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    I'm sure Dave Robicheaux (James Lee Burke's protagonist) would be extremely upset to find that his homestead and stomping grounds suddenly had been moved to northwest Louisiana....:tb-hissyfit:

    Looking at the "before" images you posted, it appears the equipment may have been operated as recently as 30-40 years ago. I'm basing my assumption on many derelict cars I found in south Mississippi woods during the late 50's. These were models from the 20s and early 30s, junked before WW II, and in about the same condition as the equipment your photos show.
     

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