Louisiana Midland Railway

Standard Gauge Headquarters: Jena, LA Years of Operation: 1945-1986 Predecessor Roads: Louisiana & Arkansas Successor Roads: none Miles Operated: Main line: Packton, LA to Wildsville Junction, LA, 53.32 miles; trackage rights (Missouri Pacific), Wildsville Junction to Vidalia, LA, 23.02 miles. Locomotives Owned:	Equipment	Click Map for Larger Version
HISTORY by Gil Hoffman: The Louisiana Midland Railway was formed on August 24, 1945, to purchase a branch line from Packton, LA to Wildsville Junction, LA, 53.32 milea, from the Louisiana & Arkansas Railway, and to acquire trackage rights over a line from Wildsville Junction to Vidalia, LA, 23.02 miles, from the Missouri Pacific Railroad as well as ferry operations across the Mississippi River. Application for these acquisitions was approved by the ICC on December 27, 1945. The Louisiana Midland was controlled by H. H. Holloway through ownership of the capital stock. Passenger service was discontinued in 1953.  On April 28, 1967, the Illinois Central Railroad absorbed the Louisiana Midland as part of its absorption of the Mississippi Central Railroad.  On April 28, 1974, the Louisiana Midland resumed independent operation, being controlled by Craig Burroughs' Joliet, Illinois-based Trans-Action Associates, Inc.  In the 1980s, through freight service was discontinued between Packton and Ferriday, Louisiana because of poor track conditions and lack of demand, reducing the Louisiana Midland's operations to switching service at Packton and Ferriday. Traffic at the time included pulpwood, wood products and general commodities.  Operations ceased in July 1985, and on July 1, 1986, the property was sold at a sheriff's sale
Louisiana Midland No. 503 was an ex-L&A ten wheeler.	Louisiana Midland 509 was another ex-L&A engine. It is pictured here at Rapides Gravel at Woodworth, LA on December 15, 1954, still lettered for its previous owner.	Louisiana Midland No. 10, an EMD SW-7, and an interesting caboose sit in front of the Jena depot on September 26, 1954.
Another nice view of LM 10 on Sept. 26, 1954.
LM train approaches the MP crossing at Georgetown.		LM train crossing the Black River drawbridge in April 1977.
Another view at the Black River drawbridge in April 1977.	Louisiana Midland RS-1 meets a Missouri Pacific Geep at Vidalia.
Louisiana Midland 1120 was still wearing the paint of its previous owner, GM&O.	LM 1120 leads a train of loaded pulpwood cars in April 1976.	LM train passes a rural church in April 1977.
LM depot in Jena was the hub of operations in the 1970's.
Louisiana Midland train crossing the Black River at Jonesville.		LM train following an inspection motorcar in January 1977.
STEAM ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:   Road No.   Type   Builder   C.N.   Date   Cyls.   Dri. Dia.   Engine Wt.   Previous Ownership   Disposition   101   2-10-0   Baldwin   47847   2/1918   25x28   52   198900   USA #1127 Louisiana Ry. & Navigation Co. #101 Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. #101, in 1929. Louisiana Midland Ry. #101, in 12/1945. Baldwin class 12-44 F 552   Scrapped 1949.   102   2-10-0   Baldwin   47848   2/1918   25x28   52   198900   USA #1128 Louisiana Ry. & Navigation Co. #102 Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. #102, in 1929. Louisiana Midland Ry. #102, in 12/1945. Baldwin class 12-44 F 553   Scrapped 1949.   104   2-10-0   Baldwin   48055   3/1918   25x28   52   198900   USA #1168 Louisiana Ry. & Navigation Co. #104 Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. #104, in 1929. Louisiana Midland Ry. #104, in 12/1945. Baldwin class 12-44 F 593   South Shore Ry. #104, Jackson, LA,  in 1947.   503   4-6-0   Baldwin   53106   4/1920   22x28   57   194000   Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. #503 Louisiana Midland Ry. #503, in 5/1948. Baldwin class 10-38 D 197   South Shore Ry. #503, Jackson, LA, in 1958.   509   4-6-0   Baldwin   39553   3/1913   22x28   57   194000   Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. #403 Built 21x28-57-179150 Re. #509 in 4/1928. Rebuilt 22x28-57-194000 Louisiana Midland Ry. #509, in 3/1950. Baldwin class 10-36 D 613   Monroe Sand & Gravel Co. #509, West Monroe, LA, in 1951. Rapides Gravel Co., Woodworth, LA, in 3/1953.     DIESEL ROSTER available here.

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For more information contact Tony Howe at tonyhowe76@yahoo.com or David S. Price at davidsprice46@gmail.com