Mark, Al and I were going on a great adventure. The target would be the Cross Tracks of Eola. Being that it drizzled and we are wimps, we stayed home, each, for at least a little time, in front of a dern computer. Maybe Mark got out, being above the rain band. I did not waste my time, however. My wife had uncovered a historic railroad in our neighborhood. I do need to take the backhoe away from her. No, it was a misnamed railroad in the local newspaper, "The Teche Railroad". No such name. The correct name was "The Teche Railroad and Sugar Company". Enter that into Google and you still don't find much. But, one of the few sources did mention Louisiana a few times. These few occasions occurred in the fine year for railroading, 1907. The book can be found
HERE. I copied about half of what the on page search engine gave me. I just got tired. These facts filled in many a gap for me and left some intriguing questions. If you are interested in La. RR History, this will be fun reading especially if you know just enough geography to make them imaginable. I can't proof read all of it, and there may some repetition, but repetition with a little more info. I may make a few comment along the way. Here are a few pictures to spice up the text. Ads were spread throughout the article which really made it seem like you weren't reading history but a present periodical.
Here's what was going on. Opelousas Gulf & Northeastern.—Track laying has been completed on this road, a branch of the Texas & Pacific, from Melville to Crowley, La., 56 miles, and it is expected to inaugurate a regular train service to Crowley by September 15. Me: Well, Mark, it seems the OG was a part of the T&P as early as 1907. I think it lost it's name in 1914? New Iberia St. Martins & Northern.—An official report states that this company will build a railroad from New Iberia along the east side of Bayou Teche to Port Barre. La., 42 miles. Surveys have been made and it is expected to begin construction in about 60 days. F. M. Welch, president, and L. A. Sumner, chief engineer, both of New Iberia, La Me: This branch was eventually owned by the Missouri Pacific. The Southern Pacific was accused of tearing up the New Iberia's rails south of Port Barre where they crossed on now La. 741. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is expected to have the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss., completed in 60 days. Track has been laid from the Louisiana state line north to Columbia Junction, and track laying is in progress from Monticello north toward Jackson and south toward Columbia Junction. The branch from Slidell to Abita Springs will be completed by October 1. Owing to difficulty in securing right of way into Jackson the company is negotiating with the Illinois Central for the use of the latter's tracks from a point several miles south of Jackson into the city. Me: This interested me because I've run the roads between Slidell and Abita Springs. La.36 sure looks like it could be a RR route. But, I see RR's everywhere.
Texas State.—A large force of convicts has been put to work clearing the right of way for the extension of the state railroad from Rusk to Palestine, Tex., and grading will begin soon Me: So there really was a "Texas State Railroad". Visit and ride at Rusk/ Palastine. BTW. One of their engines did service at Camp Claiborne / Fort Polk during WWII on the C&PMRR. Louisiana & Pacific.—Work is in progress on the extension from Fulton to Lake Charles, La., 17 miles, and an extension from De Ridder to Cravens, La., 10 miles, is proposed. Wesley Vandercook, chief engineer, De Ridder, La. Me: Read about the hunt in "Red Sand Railroad" on this blog. Colorado Southern New Orleans & Pacific.—The first train of this road reached Port Allen, La., opposite Baton Rouge, on July 2, by using the Texas & Pacific track from Opelousas via Melville to Livonia, and thence over its own track, the road not being completed through the Atachafalya swamp. Me: This route would, of course, include the new Melville/ Atchafalaya River Bridge. Me: Morgan's L&T conquered the swamp route for a while. I think it was begun in 1907. Louisiana East & West.—Track has been laid for 27% miles between Eunice and Bunkie, La., leaving 12% miles to be laid to complete the connection. Me: The Texas and Pacific would take over this route then abandon it. Morgan's Louisiana & Texas.—E. B. Dishing, general superintendent, New Orleans, La., reports that 14.91 miles of track has been laid on the extension from Lafayette to Baton Rouge, La., 52.57 miles. Me: That's what I was talking about. It's a true wonder. Read "Mark and the Basin RR" on the blog. Mark led an expedition to photograph and walk on the old route. SP, cont: The Port Barre extension from Arnaudville to Port Barre, La., 12.32 miles, has been completed and track laying has been commenced on the branch from Bayou Sale to South Bend, 10.62 miles, and on the Eunice extension of the Louisiana Western from Eunice to Mamou, La., 16.7 miles. Me: I believe the Eunice to Mamou route was found during the "Ever Been to Ebeneezer" hunt. Maybe it's on this blog. If not, it's gone and in my archieves. Opelousas Gulf & Northeastern (T. & P.).—Grading has been finished and all but 10 miles of track has been laid from Melville, La., on the T. & P., to Crowley, on the S. P. Completion is delayed by lack of rails. Me: They found some rails and I did, too. Read "The Lost Loop". Texas & New Orleans.—A 3-mile branch Is ' being constructed rapidly from West Port Arthur to Port Arthur, Tex. Me: I only included this because I know where it is and the T&NO would become important, locally. New Orleans papers are felicitating that progressive city on the assumed fact that the Santa Fe lines, aggregating 9,500 miles, will enter New Orleans on September 15. This would be indeed a significant event if it were accomplished. It may be in some future year, but at present a gap of over 200 miles between the easternmost end of the Santa Fe's Louisiana extension and New Orleans remains to be spanned. It is true, however, that by means of connecting lines this company, in a few weeks, will be in position to handle traffic between Texas points and New Orleans. Under the name of the Jasper & Eastern the Santa Fe is just completing an extension which will give it a fairly direct line from Somerville, Tex., on its gulf road, 140 miles north of Galveston, eastward to Oakdale, La., a distance of 269 miles. {Read "The Jasper and Eastern" on this blog} From that terminus traffic may be routed to New Orleans via the St. Louis Watkins & Gulf, north to Alexandria. 38 miles, and thence 194 miles over the Texas & Pacific to New Orleans, a total distance under traffic agreement of 232 miles. To make New Orleans an actual terminus of the Santa Fe system, connected directly over its own rails, with the central western states and the Pacific coast, three extensions will be necessary. From Oakdale. La., southeast to New Orleans, about 200 miles. {I don't think this ever happened} From Center, in eastern Texas, north to connection with the Indian Territory lines, at Tulsa or some nearer point, 300 miles or more. From the vicinity of Brownwood, Tex., northwesterly, say 300 miles, to Texlco, on the border of New Mexico, whence runs the Santa Fe main line direct to Los Angeles and San Francisco, which would offer a route from New Orleans and the gulf, competing easily with the Southern Pacific. When these important extensions are to be built, or whether they are to be built at all, seems to depend on the attitude of investors toward railway securities, which, in turn, is determined by the attitude of the public and its official representatives toward enterprises requiring large investment of borrowed capital. At present the outlook in this direction is not favorable. {not to me either} New Iberia St. Martin & Northern.—Surveys are being made for this road from Port Barre, La., southeast through Arnaudville and St. Martinsville to New Iberia, 42 miles, and it Is expected to have the road completed by October 1, together with a 7-mile branch to connect Loreauville with New Iberia. The road, which will parallel the Southern Pacific, will traverse the "'Evangeline Country," one of the best truck farming regions in Louisiana. Tax assessments for the road have been voted at several points. New Iberia having voted $100,000 Me: OK, the last version of this route went from New Iberia to Loreauville and from Loreauville to St. Johns and north up the Teche Valley. The last version did not go trough St.Martinville. I have seen utility poles that look like a railroad ROW. from St. Johns down the Teche going in the direction of New Iberia. Could that be the original route of the railroad and St. Martinville was exculed later with a route from St. John to Loreauville where it hooked up with the existing branch there from New Iberia? St. Martinville was clearly a Southern Pacific town. New Orleans Great Northern.—Eighteen miles of track has been laid this year north of Mile Post 65 on the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss. (I don't think this sentence has to do with the next) The branch from Franklinton, La., to Tylertown, Miss., 20 miles, has been completed, and 18 miles of track has been laid on the Shore Line from Slidell to Abita Springs. J. F. Coleman, chief engineer, New Orleans, La. Me: The Franklinton to Tylertown interested me as I've run that. It would become a branch of the GMO. Tatum Lumber Company.—This company has completed 5% miles of logging road from Bonhomie, Miss., to a connection with the Gulf & Ship Island and to timber lands, beyond. The headquarters of the company are at Hatties burg, Miss. Me: That's a Mississippi interest. I compiled a lot of info on the lumber railroads at the state line on I-10 and what is now the Stennis rocket testing facility and then blew off using it as most is inaccessible and I've accessed most of it and it isn't exciting. Below: My great grandfather worked for these guys. He was the RR Superintendent and head dishwasher/ surveyor. He retired with a bag full of money. Alexandria Zimmerman & Northwestern.—Incorporated in Louisiana to build from Alexandria northwesterly to Zimmerman. The direct distance is about 15 miles, but the charter authorizes 35 miles and permits the road to conduct a passenger. lumber and other freight business. Capital stock, $230,000. The officers are: J. A. Bentley, president; B. W. Zimmerman, vice-president; A. F. Sharpe, secretary; Paul Lisso, treasurer, Alexandria, La. Louisiana East & West (Texas & Pacific).—Track has been completed on the extension from Bunkie, La., south to Eunice, 37 miles, and the road is to be extended about 60 miles, running southwesterly to Jennings and thence west to Lake Charles, paralleling the Southern Pacific. Me: The route had to have gone from Bunkie to Ville Platte to Eunice. I don't know about the extention from Eunice to Jennings or rails paralleling the SP. Louisiana & Pacific.—This part of the Shreveport Alexandria & Southwestern system has been extended and opened to Banks, La., 16 miles south of Fulton, the terminus for 1906, and 41 miles south of De Ridder. An extension to Lake Charles, 9 miles, is in progress; also an extension from De Ridder north to Cravens, La., 10 miles. Me: Again the "Red Sand Railroad" article has a lot of info on this. Fulton was where the L&P crossed the MP alongside US 190 below Longville. The L&P was a glorified logging railroad, later bought out by the SP. The DeRidder to Cravens route would later, I bet, be part of the Jasper and Eastern which was the Santa Fe in Texas. I'll have to check my map. I've ridden all that forest. New Iberia St. Martin & Northern.—Aid aggregating $70,000 has been voted for this proposed road. "Evangeline Route," via the towns from New Iberia to St. Martin, La., and construction is now thought to be assured. Me: that's a repeat. It may have happened and it might be my mystery ROW. I'll bet it did happen. The SP bent west from St. Martinville to join the main line at Cade. Then it could go into New Iberia on the west bank of the Teche. A railroad coming from New Iberia directly to St. Martinville would have come up La.31, I bet. I'll have to get the maps out and look. Public Belt Railroad, New Orleans, is asking bids on locomotives. Louisiana & Arkansas has ordered one mail and baggage car from the Barney & Smith Car Company. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is expected to have the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss., completed in 60 days. Track has been laid from the Louisiana state line north to Columbia Junction, and tracklaying is in progress from Monticello north toward Jackson and south toward Columbia Junction. The branch from Slidell to Abita Springs will be completed by October 1. Owing to difficulty in securing right of way into Jackson the company is negotiating with the Illinois Central for the use of the latter's tracks from a point several miles south of Jackson into the city. Me: That adds a little more to the story. The route from Columbia to Monticello goes up the west bank of the Pearl River below Red Bluff. I almost got down the bluff to see where a wreck had occurred, but trees downed by Katrina were blocking the route and I had a grand kid with me. He wanted to go but I was afraid. Rock Island Arkansas & Louisiana.—It is expected to complete the extension of the old Arkansas Southern from Alexandria to Eunice, La., 55 miles, by October 10. Me: That would be the line through Glenmora and Turkey Creek down La.13. I've been where it crossed the Red River and Gulf just before it went through Le Compte. It joins the Texas and Pacific at LeMourie. I found the trestle there at the church. Al was crossing it on his 10 wheeler. It is also the line that goes past Long Leaf, home of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum. Mr. H. W. Bechtell, traveling freight agent of the Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company at Shreveport, La., has been appointed commercial agent at New Orleans, La., to succeed Mr. H. K. Rea, resigned. Me: The LR&N was Edenborn's project. Edenborn was a cat. In fact, if I ever get another male cat, I'll name him Edenborn. He's buried in the same cemetery as my grandmother and great aunts and a bunch more including my wife's family who are in the demonic area of the cemetery. Just kidding, darling. Arkansas Louisiana & Gulf.—This road, under construction from Pine Bluff, Ark., to Monroe, La., has been graded from Monroe north 15 miles to a point near the junction of a branch to be built to Crossett, Ark. It was stated that tracklaying would begin about October 1. J. M. Parker, general manager, Pine Bluff, Ark. Me: For future reference. Morgan's Louisiana & Texas.—The branch from Bayou Sale to South Bend, La., 10.62 miles, is nearly completed and it is expected that it will be placed In operation by October 10. The branch traverses a sugar country. Me: The branch now goes to a carbon black plant serviced by the L&D out of New Iberia. You can't get away from L&D articles on this blog. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is reported that this road has been opened for traffic from Columbia Junction, Miss., northward 20 miles. (Montecello) The line has been completed from the Louisiana state line to Columbia Junction, Miss., since early in September. It is probable that the entire line from Slidell, La., to Jackson, Miss., 150 miles, will not be completed and ready for traffic until next spring. (See The Railway Age of May 24, 1907.) J. F. Coleman, chief engineer, New Orleans, La. Me: I'll have to figure that one out. Union Central.—W. J. Hogue, president, Dallas. Tex., writes that this company, recently chartered, proposes to build a railway from Dallas, Tex., to New Orleans. La., 500 miles, the mileage in Texas being 225 miles and in Louisiana 275 miles. The route is by way of Palestine and Nacogdoches, Tex., and Pickering, La. (near Leesville?) There will be a branch from Wortham to Tyler, Tex., 125 miles, which has been surveyed for the entire distance and graded from Wortham to the Trinity river, 20 miles. The main line is under survey from Dallas to the Louisiana state line. It is expected to let contracts for construction in about sixty days. Me: For future reference. Arkansas Louisiana & Gulf has contracted with the Hicks Locomotive & Car Works for a passenger coach. That's it, I got burned out and probably half my input in wrong. Don't sweat it. It was only something to do to keep from going stir crazy. Check that article link and go hunting (next time it rains)!
Here's what was going on. Opelousas Gulf & Northeastern.—Track laying has been completed on this road, a branch of the Texas & Pacific, from Melville to Crowley, La., 56 miles, and it is expected to inaugurate a regular train service to Crowley by September 15. Me: Well, Mark, it seems the OG was a part of the T&P as early as 1907. I think it lost it's name in 1914? New Iberia St. Martins & Northern.—An official report states that this company will build a railroad from New Iberia along the east side of Bayou Teche to Port Barre. La., 42 miles. Surveys have been made and it is expected to begin construction in about 60 days. F. M. Welch, president, and L. A. Sumner, chief engineer, both of New Iberia, La Me: This branch was eventually owned by the Missouri Pacific. The Southern Pacific was accused of tearing up the New Iberia's rails south of Port Barre where they crossed on now La. 741. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is expected to have the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss., completed in 60 days. Track has been laid from the Louisiana state line north to Columbia Junction, and track laying is in progress from Monticello north toward Jackson and south toward Columbia Junction. The branch from Slidell to Abita Springs will be completed by October 1. Owing to difficulty in securing right of way into Jackson the company is negotiating with the Illinois Central for the use of the latter's tracks from a point several miles south of Jackson into the city. Me: This interested me because I've run the roads between Slidell and Abita Springs. La.36 sure looks like it could be a RR route. But, I see RR's everywhere. 
Texas State.—A large force of convicts has been put to work clearing the right of way for the extension of the state railroad from Rusk to Palestine, Tex., and grading will begin soon Me: So there really was a "Texas State Railroad". Visit and ride at Rusk/ Palastine. BTW. One of their engines did service at Camp Claiborne / Fort Polk during WWII on the C&PMRR. Louisiana & Pacific.—Work is in progress on the extension from Fulton to Lake Charles, La., 17 miles, and an extension from De Ridder to Cravens, La., 10 miles, is proposed. Wesley Vandercook, chief engineer, De Ridder, La. Me: Read about the hunt in "Red Sand Railroad" on this blog. Colorado Southern New Orleans & Pacific.—The first train of this road reached Port Allen, La., opposite Baton Rouge, on July 2, by using the Texas & Pacific track from Opelousas via Melville to Livonia, and thence over its own track, the road not being completed through the Atachafalya swamp. Me: This route would, of course, include the new Melville/ Atchafalaya River Bridge. Me: Morgan's L&T conquered the swamp route for a while. I think it was begun in 1907. Louisiana East & West.—Track has been laid for 27% miles between Eunice and Bunkie, La., leaving 12% miles to be laid to complete the connection. Me: The Texas and Pacific would take over this route then abandon it. Morgan's Louisiana & Texas.—E. B. Dishing, general superintendent, New Orleans, La., reports that 14.91 miles of track has been laid on the extension from Lafayette to Baton Rouge, La., 52.57 miles. Me: That's what I was talking about. It's a true wonder. Read "Mark and the Basin RR" on the blog. Mark led an expedition to photograph and walk on the old route. SP, cont: The Port Barre extension from Arnaudville to Port Barre, La., 12.32 miles, has been completed and track laying has been commenced on the branch from Bayou Sale to South Bend, 10.62 miles, and on the Eunice extension of the Louisiana Western from Eunice to Mamou, La., 16.7 miles. Me: I believe the Eunice to Mamou route was found during the "Ever Been to Ebeneezer" hunt. Maybe it's on this blog. If not, it's gone and in my archieves. Opelousas Gulf & Northeastern (T. & P.).—Grading has been finished and all but 10 miles of track has been laid from Melville, La., on the T. & P., to Crowley, on the S. P. Completion is delayed by lack of rails. Me: They found some rails and I did, too. Read "The Lost Loop". Texas & New Orleans.—A 3-mile branch Is ' being constructed rapidly from West Port Arthur to Port Arthur, Tex. Me: I only included this because I know where it is and the T&NO would become important, locally. New Orleans papers are felicitating that progressive city on the assumed fact that the Santa Fe lines, aggregating 9,500 miles, will enter New Orleans on September 15. This would be indeed a significant event if it were accomplished. It may be in some future year, but at present a gap of over 200 miles between the easternmost end of the Santa Fe's Louisiana extension and New Orleans remains to be spanned. It is true, however, that by means of connecting lines this company, in a few weeks, will be in position to handle traffic between Texas points and New Orleans. Under the name of the Jasper & Eastern the Santa Fe is just completing an extension which will give it a fairly direct line from Somerville, Tex., on its gulf road, 140 miles north of Galveston, eastward to Oakdale, La., a distance of 269 miles. {Read "The Jasper and Eastern" on this blog} From that terminus traffic may be routed to New Orleans via the St. Louis Watkins & Gulf, north to Alexandria. 38 miles, and thence 194 miles over the Texas & Pacific to New Orleans, a total distance under traffic agreement of 232 miles. To make New Orleans an actual terminus of the Santa Fe system, connected directly over its own rails, with the central western states and the Pacific coast, three extensions will be necessary. From Oakdale. La., southeast to New Orleans, about 200 miles. {I don't think this ever happened} From Center, in eastern Texas, north to connection with the Indian Territory lines, at Tulsa or some nearer point, 300 miles or more. From the vicinity of Brownwood, Tex., northwesterly, say 300 miles, to Texlco, on the border of New Mexico, whence runs the Santa Fe main line direct to Los Angeles and San Francisco, which would offer a route from New Orleans and the gulf, competing easily with the Southern Pacific. When these important extensions are to be built, or whether they are to be built at all, seems to depend on the attitude of investors toward railway securities, which, in turn, is determined by the attitude of the public and its official representatives toward enterprises requiring large investment of borrowed capital. At present the outlook in this direction is not favorable. {not to me either} New Iberia St. Martin & Northern.—Surveys are being made for this road from Port Barre, La., southeast through Arnaudville and St. Martinsville to New Iberia, 42 miles, and it Is expected to have the road completed by October 1, together with a 7-mile branch to connect Loreauville with New Iberia. The road, which will parallel the Southern Pacific, will traverse the "'Evangeline Country," one of the best truck farming regions in Louisiana. Tax assessments for the road have been voted at several points. New Iberia having voted $100,000 Me: OK, the last version of this route went from New Iberia to Loreauville and from Loreauville to St. Johns and north up the Teche Valley. The last version did not go trough St.Martinville. I have seen utility poles that look like a railroad ROW. from St. Johns down the Teche going in the direction of New Iberia. Could that be the original route of the railroad and St. Martinville was exculed later with a route from St. John to Loreauville where it hooked up with the existing branch there from New Iberia? St. Martinville was clearly a Southern Pacific town. New Orleans Great Northern.—Eighteen miles of track has been laid this year north of Mile Post 65 on the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss. (I don't think this sentence has to do with the next) The branch from Franklinton, La., to Tylertown, Miss., 20 miles, has been completed, and 18 miles of track has been laid on the Shore Line from Slidell to Abita Springs. J. F. Coleman, chief engineer, New Orleans, La. Me: The Franklinton to Tylertown interested me as I've run that. It would become a branch of the GMO. Tatum Lumber Company.—This company has completed 5% miles of logging road from Bonhomie, Miss., to a connection with the Gulf & Ship Island and to timber lands, beyond. The headquarters of the company are at Hatties burg, Miss. Me: That's a Mississippi interest. I compiled a lot of info on the lumber railroads at the state line on I-10 and what is now the Stennis rocket testing facility and then blew off using it as most is inaccessible and I've accessed most of it and it isn't exciting. Below: My great grandfather worked for these guys. He was the RR Superintendent and head dishwasher/ surveyor. He retired with a bag full of money. Alexandria Zimmerman & Northwestern.—Incorporated in Louisiana to build from Alexandria northwesterly to Zimmerman. The direct distance is about 15 miles, but the charter authorizes 35 miles and permits the road to conduct a passenger. lumber and other freight business. Capital stock, $230,000. The officers are: J. A. Bentley, president; B. W. Zimmerman, vice-president; A. F. Sharpe, secretary; Paul Lisso, treasurer, Alexandria, La. Louisiana East & West (Texas & Pacific).—Track has been completed on the extension from Bunkie, La., south to Eunice, 37 miles, and the road is to be extended about 60 miles, running southwesterly to Jennings and thence west to Lake Charles, paralleling the Southern Pacific. Me: The route had to have gone from Bunkie to Ville Platte to Eunice. I don't know about the extention from Eunice to Jennings or rails paralleling the SP. Louisiana & Pacific.—This part of the Shreveport Alexandria & Southwestern system has been extended and opened to Banks, La., 16 miles south of Fulton, the terminus for 1906, and 41 miles south of De Ridder. An extension to Lake Charles, 9 miles, is in progress; also an extension from De Ridder north to Cravens, La., 10 miles. Me: Again the "Red Sand Railroad" article has a lot of info on this. Fulton was where the L&P crossed the MP alongside US 190 below Longville. The L&P was a glorified logging railroad, later bought out by the SP. The DeRidder to Cravens route would later, I bet, be part of the Jasper and Eastern which was the Santa Fe in Texas. I'll have to check my map. I've ridden all that forest. New Iberia St. Martin & Northern.—Aid aggregating $70,000 has been voted for this proposed road. "Evangeline Route," via the towns from New Iberia to St. Martin, La., and construction is now thought to be assured. Me: that's a repeat. It may have happened and it might be my mystery ROW. I'll bet it did happen. The SP bent west from St. Martinville to join the main line at Cade. Then it could go into New Iberia on the west bank of the Teche. A railroad coming from New Iberia directly to St. Martinville would have come up La.31, I bet. I'll have to get the maps out and look. Public Belt Railroad, New Orleans, is asking bids on locomotives. Louisiana & Arkansas has ordered one mail and baggage car from the Barney & Smith Car Company. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is expected to have the extension of the main line to Jackson, Miss., completed in 60 days. Track has been laid from the Louisiana state line north to Columbia Junction, and tracklaying is in progress from Monticello north toward Jackson and south toward Columbia Junction. The branch from Slidell to Abita Springs will be completed by October 1. Owing to difficulty in securing right of way into Jackson the company is negotiating with the Illinois Central for the use of the latter's tracks from a point several miles south of Jackson into the city. Me: That adds a little more to the story. The route from Columbia to Monticello goes up the west bank of the Pearl River below Red Bluff. I almost got down the bluff to see where a wreck had occurred, but trees downed by Katrina were blocking the route and I had a grand kid with me. He wanted to go but I was afraid. Rock Island Arkansas & Louisiana.—It is expected to complete the extension of the old Arkansas Southern from Alexandria to Eunice, La., 55 miles, by October 10. Me: That would be the line through Glenmora and Turkey Creek down La.13. I've been where it crossed the Red River and Gulf just before it went through Le Compte. It joins the Texas and Pacific at LeMourie. I found the trestle there at the church. Al was crossing it on his 10 wheeler. It is also the line that goes past Long Leaf, home of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum. Mr. H. W. Bechtell, traveling freight agent of the Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company at Shreveport, La., has been appointed commercial agent at New Orleans, La., to succeed Mr. H. K. Rea, resigned. Me: The LR&N was Edenborn's project. Edenborn was a cat. In fact, if I ever get another male cat, I'll name him Edenborn. He's buried in the same cemetery as my grandmother and great aunts and a bunch more including my wife's family who are in the demonic area of the cemetery. Just kidding, darling. Arkansas Louisiana & Gulf.—This road, under construction from Pine Bluff, Ark., to Monroe, La., has been graded from Monroe north 15 miles to a point near the junction of a branch to be built to Crossett, Ark. It was stated that tracklaying would begin about October 1. J. M. Parker, general manager, Pine Bluff, Ark. Me: For future reference. Morgan's Louisiana & Texas.—The branch from Bayou Sale to South Bend, La., 10.62 miles, is nearly completed and it is expected that it will be placed In operation by October 10. The branch traverses a sugar country. Me: The branch now goes to a carbon black plant serviced by the L&D out of New Iberia. You can't get away from L&D articles on this blog. New Orleans Great Northern.—It is reported that this road has been opened for traffic from Columbia Junction, Miss., northward 20 miles. (Montecello) The line has been completed from the Louisiana state line to Columbia Junction, Miss., since early in September. It is probable that the entire line from Slidell, La., to Jackson, Miss., 150 miles, will not be completed and ready for traffic until next spring. (See The Railway Age of May 24, 1907.) J. F. Coleman, chief engineer, New Orleans, La. Me: I'll have to figure that one out. Union Central.—W. J. Hogue, president, Dallas. Tex., writes that this company, recently chartered, proposes to build a railway from Dallas, Tex., to New Orleans. La., 500 miles, the mileage in Texas being 225 miles and in Louisiana 275 miles. The route is by way of Palestine and Nacogdoches, Tex., and Pickering, La. (near Leesville?) There will be a branch from Wortham to Tyler, Tex., 125 miles, which has been surveyed for the entire distance and graded from Wortham to the Trinity river, 20 miles. The main line is under survey from Dallas to the Louisiana state line. It is expected to let contracts for construction in about sixty days. Me: For future reference. Arkansas Louisiana & Gulf has contracted with the Hicks Locomotive & Car Works for a passenger coach. That's it, I got burned out and probably half my input in wrong. Don't sweat it. It was only something to do to keep from going stir crazy. Check that article link and go hunting (next time it rains)!