Timeline of Class I railroads (1930–1976)

Last updated

Timeline of Class I railroads edit
1910–1929    1930–1976    1977–present

The following is a brief history of the North American rail system, mainly through major changes to Class I railroads, the largest class by operating revenue.

Contents

1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Pacific Corporation</span> American railroad company

Union Pacific Corporation is a publicly traded railroad holding company. It is incorporated in Utah and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Its only operating subsidiary is Union Pacific Railroad. Along with BNSF Railway, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the companies have a near-duopoly on freight railroad transportation west of the Mississippi River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Railway (U.S.)</span> Defunct United States railroad

The Southern Railway was a class 1 railroad based in the Southern United States between 1894 and 1982, when it merged with the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) to form the Norfolk Southern Railway. The railroad was the product of nearly 150 predecessor lines that were combined, reorganized and recombined beginning in the 1830s, formally becoming the Southern Railway in 1894.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missouri Pacific Railroad</span> Defunct American Class I railroad

The Missouri Pacific Railroad, commonly abbreviated as MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers. In 1967, the railroad operated 9,041 miles of road and 13,318 miles of track, not including DK&S, NO&LC, T&P, and its subsidiaries C&EI and Missouri-Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Trunk Western Railroad</span> American railroad

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company was an American subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway, later of the Canadian National Railway operating in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Since a corporate restructuring in 1971, the railroad has been under CN's subsidiary holding company, the Grand Trunk Corporation. Grand Trunk Western's routes are part of CN's Michigan Division. Its primary mainline between Chicago and Port Huron, Michigan serves as a connection between railroad interchanges in Chicago and rail lines in eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. The railroad's extensive trackage in Detroit and across southern Michigan has made it an essential link for the automotive industry as a hauler of parts and automobiles from manufacturing plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Maryland Railway</span> Freight railroad in Appalachia

The Western Maryland Railway was an American Class I railroad (1852–1983) that operated in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was primarily a coal hauling and freight railroad, with a small passenger train operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Southwestern Railway</span> Defunct American railway

The St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company, known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply "Cotton Belt", was a Class I railroad that operated between St. Louis, Missouri, and various points in the U.S. states of Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas from 1891 to 1980, when the system added the Rock Island's Golden State Route and operations in Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The Cotton Belt operated as a Southern Pacific subsidiary from 1932 until 1992, when its operation was assumed by Southern Pacific Transportation Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Railroad</span> Class III railroad

The Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Railroad is a 52.9-mile (85.1 km) short-line railroad in northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas. Opened in 1908, it has undergone several corporate reorganizations, but has remained independent of larger carriers. In 2004, paper producer Georgia-Pacific sold the company to shortline operator Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Traffic generally consists of lumber, paper, forest products, and chemicals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway</span> Company and former railroad in the United States

The Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway was a railroad in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Wheeling, West Virginia, areas. Originally built as the Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Railway, a Pittsburgh extension of George J. Gould's Wabash Railroad, the venture entered receivership in 1908, and the line was cut loose. An extension completed in 1931 connected it to the Western Maryland Railway at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, forming part of the Alphabet Route, a coalition of independent lines between the Northeastern United States and the Midwest. It was leased by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1964 in conjunction with the N&W acquiring several other sections of the former Alphabet Route but was leased to the new spinoff Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway in 1990, just months before the N&W was merged into the Norfolk Southern Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Short Line Railroad</span> Former railroad in the mountain west in the United States

The Oregon Short Line Railroad was a railroad in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Oregon in the United States. The line was organized as the Oregon Short Line Railway in 1881 as a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railway. The Union Pacific intended the line to be the shortest route from Wyoming to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Construction was begun in 1881 at Granger, Wyoming, and completed in 1884 at Huntington, Oregon. In 1889 the line merged with the Utah & Northern Railway and a handful of smaller railroads to become the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway. Following the bankruptcy of Union Pacific in 1897, the line was taken into receivership and reorganized as the Oregon Short Line Railroad ("OSL"). The OSL became a part of the Union Pacific System in the Harriman reorganization of 1898.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic and Pacific Railroad</span> Subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway

The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was a U.S. railroad that owned or operated two individual segments, one connecting St. Louis, Missouri with Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the other connecting Albuquerque, New Mexico with Needles in Southern California. It was incorporated by the U.S. Congress in 1866 as a transcontinental railroad connecting Springfield, Missouri and Van Buren, Arkansas with California. The central portion was never constructed, and the two halves later became parts of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway systems, now both merged into the BNSF Railway.

The Youngstown and Southeastern Railroad is a short-line railroad subsidiary of Midwest & Bluegrass Rail that operates freight trains between Youngstown, Ohio and Darlington, Pennsylvania, United States. The line is owned by the Columbiana County Port Authority, leased to the Eastern States Railroad, which is owned by the line's primary shipper, and contracted out to the YSRR. Freight is interchanged with CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway at the Youngstown end.

The following is a brief history of the North American rail system, mainly through major changes to Class I railroads, the largest class by operating revenue.

The following is a brief history of the North American rail system, mainly through major changes to Class I railroads, the largest class by operating revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Eastern Railway</span>

The Oregon Eastern Railway was a predecessor of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company that acquired or built most of the Natron Cutoff in northern California and southern Oregon, United States. It also made surveys and acquired right-of-way in eastern Oregon, which were subsequently sold to Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company.

The Chicago and Southern Railroad built a rail line in northeastern Illinois, extending south from Chicago to Thornton. It now mainly forms part of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, while the north end has been operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the Illinois Northern Railway, and most recently the Central Illinois Railroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Junction Railway</span>

The Chicago Junction Railway operated a switching and terminal railroad in Chicago, connecting the Union Stock Yards with most other railroads in the city. It also briefly operated an outer belt, which became the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad in 1907. The New York Central Railroad acquired control of the company in 1922 and leased it to subsidiary Chicago River and Indiana Railroad. The line is now owned and operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wabash Railroad</span> American Class I railroad

The Wabash Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. It served a large area, including track in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri and the province of Ontario. Its primary connections included Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; and Toledo, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas</span>

The St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas, operated the lines of its parent company, the St. Louis Southwestern Railway within the state of Texas. The St. Louis Southwestern, known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply the Cotton Belt, was organized on January 12, 1891, although it had its origins in a rail line founded in 1871 in Tyler, Texas that eventually connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern Missouri. Construction of the original Tyler Tap Railroad began in the summer of 1875, and the first 21 miles out of Tyler to Big Sandy, Texas were constructed by early October of 1887. The line became the Texas and St. Louis Railway, and was completed between Gatesville, Texas and Bird's Point, Missouri by August 12, 1883, creating a continuous 725-mile system. However, that line promptly went into receivership, and was purchased by the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railway in 1886. The assets of that company were acquired out of foreclosure by the St. Louis-Southwestern Railway in 1891. The St. Louis Southwestern of Texas merged with the property of the Tyler Southeastern Railway on October 6, 1899. The property of the Texas and Louisiana Railway was acquired and merged on July 2, 1903.

The Selma and Meridian Rail Road Company was incorporated under special act of Alabama on February 7, 1850, as The Alabama and Mississippi Rivers Rail Road Company. On November 29, 1864, the name of the company was changed to The Selma and Meridian Rail Road Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad</span> Former railroad in North Carolina

Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company was incorporated under act of the North Carolina Legislature, ratified December 27, 1852, and was organized on January 20, 1854.

References

  1. ICC (1932), p. 219
  2. 1 2 3 Moody's (1990), p. 286
  3. Moody's (1992), p. 234
  4. 1 2 Moody's (1976), p. 274
  5. 1 2 Moody's (1990), p. 277
  6. 1 2 ICC (1931)
  7. ICC (1930)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Christopher T. Baer, PRR Chronology (Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society), accessed April 2009
  9. George C. Werner: Rock Island System from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  10. ICC (1920), p. 437
  11. 1 2 3 George C. Werner: Burlington-Rock Island Railroad from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  12. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, p. 160
  13. ICC (1922)
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ICC (1949)
  15. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, pp. 191-192
  16. Moody's (1970), p. xli
  17. Moody's (1976), p. 755
  18. Moody's (1992), p. 257
  19. Moody's (1982), p. 83
  20. 1 2 ICC (1933)
  21. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, pp. 361-362
  22. 1 2 3 ICC (1934)
  23. Howard C. Williams: Texas and New Orleans Railroad from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  24. Moody's (1984), p. 647
  25. Moody's (1976), p. 261
  26. 1 2 3 ICC (1935)
  27. 1 2 3 ICC (1937)
  28. Moody's (1992), p. 111
  29. 1 2 3 Paul Stringham, Illinois Terminal, the Electric Years, ISBN   0-916374-82-3, pp. 98, 251
  30. Patricia L. Duncan: Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  31. ICC (1938)
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 ICC (1939)
  33. Moody's (1986), p. 670
  34. 1 2 Nancy Beck Young: Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  35. Moody's (1992), p. 79
  36. 1 2 Moody's (1972), p. 295
  37. Moody's (1976), p. 644
  38. 1 2 H. Allen Anderson: Wichita Falls and Southern Railroad from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  39. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, p. 251
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Moody's (1992), p. 403
  41. 1 2 Moody's (1976), p. 407
  42. Moody's (1969), p. 684
  43. ICC (1941)
  44. Moody's (1990), p. 63
  45. Moody's (1971), p. 55
  46. ICC (1940)
  47. Moody's (1976), p. 310
  48. 1 2 3 ICC (1943)
  49. ICC (1923)
  50. Moody's (1989), p. 296
  51. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, p. 154
  52. Oliphant's Earning Power of Railroads, 1946, p. 118
  53. ICC (1942)
  54. Moody's (1986), p. 677
  55. 1 2 Moody's (1986), p. 662
  56. Moody's (1982), p. 1260
  57. ICC (1926)
  58. 1 2 Moody's (1972), p. 278
  59. Moody's (1976), p. 604
  60. Moody's (1975), p. 131
  61. Moody's (1971), p. 357
  62. 1 2 Moody's (1988), p. 251
  63. ICC (1945)
  64. Moody's (1975), p. 141
  65. Moody's (1990), p. 205, 231
  66. Pennsylvania Railroad Board of Directors, Inspection of Physical Property, November 1948, pp. 122-128
  67. ICC (1920), p. 422
  68. 1 2 ICC (1946)
  69. R. A. LeMassena (1974). Rio Grande ... to the Pacific!. Sundance Publications. ISBN   0-913582-09-3., pp. 139, 149, 163
  70. 1 2 Moody's (1986), p. 89
  71. Moody's (1986), p. 647
  72. Moody's (1976), p. 110
  73. Moody's (1985), p. 883
  74. 1 2 3 ICC (1947)
  75. 1 2 3 4 ICC (1948)
  76. Moody's (1976), p. 116
  77. 1 2 Moody's (1980), p. 788
  78. George C. Werner: Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  79. 1 2 3 Moody's (1984), p. 96
  80. 1 2 Moody's (1988), p. 237
  81. 1 2 ICC (1950)
  82. ICC (1936)
  83. 1 2 3 Moody's (1984), pp. 97, 142
  84. Moody's (1982), p. 33
  85. Chris Cravens: Wichita Valley Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  86. Moody's (1982), p. 845
  87. Moody's (1975), p. 567
  88. Moody's (1976), p. 764
  89. ICC (1946, 1956)
  90. Moody's (1984), p. 664
  91. Moody's (1992), pp. 257-258
  92. Moody's (1972), p. 37
  93. Moody's (1972), p. 98
  94. 1 2 3 4 Moody's (1992), p. 122
  95. 1 2 Moody's (1976), p. 1203
  96. ICC (1955, 1956)
  97. 1 2 3 Moody's (1984), p. 28
  98. Moody's (1985), p. 701
  99. 1 2 Moody's (1989), p. 30
  100. Moody's (1971), p. 102
  101. Moody's (1989), p. 71
  102. Moody's (1969), p. 535
  103. Moody's (1976), p. 111
  104. ICC (1929, 1930)
  105. Moody's (1986), p. 746
  106. 1 2 Moody's (1972), p. 837
  107. Moody's (1976), p. 209
  108. Moody's (1989), p. 330
  109. Moody's (1988), p. 72
  110. 1 2 Moody's (1986), p. 663
  111. ICC (1963), p. 498
  112. ICC (1952), p. 152
  113. 1 2 Moody's (1982), p. 852
  114. David Minor: St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 2009.
  115. Moody's (1992), p. 407
  116. Moody's (1969), p. xxxvii
  117. 1 2 3 Moody's (1976), p. 656
  118. 1 2 ICC (1966)
  119. Moody's (1992), p. 258
  120. ICC (1964, 1965)
  121. Moody's (1975), p. xxx
  122. Moody's (1992), p. 97
  123. Moody's (1975), p. 566
  124. 1 2 3 Moody's (1976), p. 224
  125. Moody's (1992), p. 423
  126. Moody's (1990), p. 335
  127. Moody's (1980), p. 752
  128. Moody's (1992), p. 12
  129. Moody's (1984), p. 125
  130. 1 2 Moody's (1992), p. 539
  131. Moody's (1992), p. 203
  132. Moody's (1982), p. 711
  133. Moody's (1988), p. 298
  134. Moody's (1992), p. 415
  135. Moody's (1992), p. 32
  136. Lewis, p. 257
  137. Moody's (1986), p. 649
  138. ICC (1975, 1976)