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:
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Equipment
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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
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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. |
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LM train approaches the MP crossing at Georgetown.
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LM train crossing the Black River drawbridge in April 1977. |
Another view at the Black River drawbridge in April 1977.
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Louisiana Midland RS-1 meets a Missouri Pacific Geep at Vidalia.
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Louisiana Midland 1120 was still wearing the paint of its previous
owner, GM&O.
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LM 1120 leads a train of loaded pulpwood cars in April 1976.
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LM train passes a rural church in April 1977.
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LM depot in Jena was the hub of operations in the 1970's.
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Louisiana Midland train crossing the Black River at Jonesville.
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LM train following an inspection motorcar in January 1977.
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STEAM ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:
Road
No.
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Type
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Builder
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C.N.
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Date
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Cyls.
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Dri.
Dia.
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Engine
Wt.
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Previous
Ownership
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Disposition
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101
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2-10-0
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Baldwin
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47847
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2/1918
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25x28
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52
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198900
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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
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Scrapped
1949.
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102
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2-10-0
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Baldwin
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47848
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2/1918
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25x28
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52
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198900
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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
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Scrapped
1949.
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104
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2-10-0
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Baldwin
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48055
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3/1918
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25x28
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52
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198900
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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
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South
Shore Ry. #104, Jackson, LA,
in 1947.
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503
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4-6-0
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Baldwin
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53106
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4/1920
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22x28
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57
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194000
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Louisiana
& Arkansas Ry. #503
Louisiana
Midland Ry. #503, in 5/1948.
Baldwin
class 10-38 D 197
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South
Shore Ry. #503, Jackson, LA, in 1958.
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509
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4-6-0
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Baldwin
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39553
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3/1913
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22x28
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57
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194000
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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
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Monroe Sand
& Gravel Co. #509, West Monroe, LA, in 1951.
Rapides
Gravel Co., Woodworth, LA, in 3/1953.
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DIESEL ROSTER available here.
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Tony Howe at tonyhowe76@yahoo.com
or David S. Price at davidsprice46@gmail.com
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