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