HISTORY HUNTS WAREHOUSE: The Louisiana and Northwest RR

First, thank Virgil for putting this burr under my saddle. He originally sent me a note he had from a widow of a Louisiana & Northwest Railroad employee. He asked if I was interested in that kind of stuff and of course I am. He proceeded to send me his T M article on the RR and a box of pictures he had taken of Homer, La., on the L&NW line. I like a rabbit even thought this hunt would be totally virtual since that area is more than a day's ride away and back, and, I have to get back. So....The following is from the company's site. I'll expand as I can. As you know, I can expand like a hot air balloon.

I'm going to take the company's text and augment it with my maps so that the history will be easier to follow, plus everyone loves maps. Then we'll look at one of the towns along the way, Homer, using Virgil's shots and ones I've copped off the web. Homer is above Interstate 20 in north, north Louisiana, or basically another country. Virgil has ventured there and has brought back pictures proving that such a place exists. I know it does because I have north, north Louisiana relatives but proving it has always been a challenge. Thanks Virgil. That later. First, let's get acquainted with the L&NW.

And, there may be a Bonnie and Clyde connection? If not, I'll make it up.

We in south, south Louisiana have Jean Lafitte and all those stories are true.

They have B&C.

For the source of what you see below, Click Here. It's the L&NW company's site. You have to know history to understand the present. Otherwise, you are walking on shaky ground led by those that would deceive you. But, then, is all history a deception? Let's hope we can believe the following.

From their Rail Fan Page:

The parent company, the Louisiana North and South Railway Company, was chartered on November 28, 1885, under the laws of Louisiana, to construct a railroad from Gibsland, LA to Homer, LA, a distance of 19 miles. Its construction was not commenced, however, until August, 1887. It was opened for business early in 1888.

Gibsland to Homer:

The company was reorganized as THE LOUISIANA AND NORTH WEST RAILROAD COMPANY, which was chartered under the laws of Louisiana, on December 3, 1889, for 99 years, and was projected to run from Alexandria, LA to Hope, AR, a distance of 230 miles.

{My guess would be too much of a reach to attempt a map.}

In 1890, an extension was built from Gibsland to Bienville, LA, a distance of 15 miles. However, completion of the road to its southern terminus at Natchitoches, LA, 44 miles, was not effected until about 1901.

Gibsland to Bienville:

In 1898 the line was constructed from Homer, LA to Magnolia, AR, 36 miles, and in November, 1898, opened for traffic.

Homer to Magnolia:

In addition to this, another 6.4 miles of track from Magnolia to McNeil, AR, was leased from the St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company (now the Union Pacific Railroad Company), under contract dated April 27, 1897 and revised January 1, 1923.

Magnolia to McNeil:

RECEIVERSHIP

On August 23, 1913 the company was placed in the hands of a receiver. Under the receivership, the property declined to such an extent that in July, 1919 when it was advertised for sale with an upset price of $500,000.00, there were no bidders. The court became dissatisfied with the administration of the affairs and on October 1, 1920, appointed E. R. Bernstein of Shreveport, LA as receiver.

The new receiver found operations had ceased because the roadway and equipment were no longer fit for service and because there were no funds with which to pay wages and current obligations. He addressed himself first to restoration of the service and the morale of the employees, then to the rehabilitation of the track and rolling stock. Soon the road was capable of transporting the increased volume of tonnage then offered, although not until after having suffered the loss of a considerable amount of the traffic that commenced to move following the opening of the Homer Oil Field in January, 1919.

Upon application of the receiver, the Railroad Commission of Louisiana on February 11, 1921, authorized the cessation of operation of 22.2 miles of railroad extending from Chestnut, LA to Natchitoches, LA, and on August 24, 1921, the Interstate Commerce Commission authorized the abandonment of that portion of the line. This action was of considerable benefit to the Company since that section abandoned had been operated at a loss, entailing a burden on the remainder of the line.

{Abandoned: Natchitoches to Chestnut. This is a guess, but probably close.}

I'm guessing this was the rail bridge over the Red River used by the

L&NW. I found it at the Grand Ecore visitors site on La.6.

Grand Ecore is just to the east of Nachitoches.

Mr. Bernstein continued as Receiver until May 21, 1922, when the court ordered the property restored to the Company.

In 1949, the Company received approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the portion of the railroad between Bienville, LA and Chestnut, LA.

Abandoned: Chestnut to Bienville.

{Note: the brown and dark blue are guesses. The light blue is shown as existing rails on my old map software. I would assume that my software does not go back to 1949 and that the route to Bienville

from Danville (where dark blue changes to light blue) and then on up to Gibsland, might be operated

by another railroad, at least for a while following 1948. Look I'm new on the block and just trying to

figure this out.}

About this same time, the Company sold their portion to the railroad between Gibsland, LA and Bienville, LA to the North Louisiana & Gulf Railroad.

{Ah, see, there you go, the NL&G picked up Gibsland and Bienville and probably operated Danville to the east. Right again, the NL&G went to Hodge, north of Winnfield on US 167. In fact, if you want to follow the

crumbs, the NL&G was sold to the Mid Louisiana Rail Corp in July, 1987. I cannot follow this rabbit further but it sounds like a great ride.}

Therefore, at the present time the length of the railroad is 61.5 miles, operating a freight train daily, except Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and alternating directions every other day, between Gibsland, LA and McNeil, AR. The railroad has connections at Gibsland, LA with the Kansas City Southern Railway Company and the Louisiana Southern Railroad (a division of WATCO Company), and in McNeil, AR, the company connects with the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

Our timetable file dates back to 1905 when passenger trains were being operated. In 1948, however, the Company ceased to operate passenger trains. In that same year (1948), the L & N W Railroad became the first railroad in the United States to be completely operated by radio.

On August 1, 1970, an immense rebuilding program was initiated. Between Magnolia and Gibsland, bridges were rebuilt using new creosoted materials, new crossties were installed, the track was raised by 4 inches, and new rock ballast was added.

In 1991, and for the first time in the history of the L & N W, a reroute order was issued. Due to the devastating flood in May of that year, track was washed away to such an extent that no trains could operate. Water rose so rapidly that headbolts were pulled through crossties and bridge stringers, moving the mainline some 20 feet downstream. In some cases, complete sections of track were completely washed away or left dangling 5-10 feet above solid ground. Between May 1 and May 15, cars destined to L & N W’s north end customers traveled via the MidSouth Rail Corporation (now the Kansas City Southern) to Shreveport and thence the Cotton Belt Railroad (now the Union Pacific) to McNeil, AR. Since recovering from the flood, the L & N W has invested well over $2 million rehabilitating its track structure.

{Here's what I gather was the flood induced detour.

Blue is the L&NW, purple is the detour to McNeil.}

The L & N W is extremely proud of our customers and our employees. Hard working and dedicated to improving the community as well as the company, our employees are some of the best in the world.

Railfans and railroad enthusiasts from as far away as Australia have visited the L & N W over the years. This shows that, no matter how small you may be, your reputation may reach much further than you dreamed. Several full-length articles about the L & N W have appeared in national magazines such as “Railroad Modeler” (December 1975), “Railroad and Railfan” (April 1978), and “Trains” (May 1985)

{That's the end of the company's site's rap. I'm on my own from here out unless I tell you otherwise.}

Wiiki Link CLICK HERE Below is a rehash of what's above, Don't waste your time.

Nature of Firm

LNW operates freight service from McNeil, AR to Gibsland, LA (62.6 miles). The track from

McNeil to Magnolia (6.5 miles), is leased from the St. Louis Southwestern. Connections are

made with UP at McNeil and the KCS Railroad at Gibsland, LA.

History

The company was incorporated December 3, 1889, as successor to the Louisiana North & South

RR. The railroad opened Homer to Magnolia, AR in November 1889. By 1904, the line was

opened from Magnolia south to Natchitoches, LA (117 miles), and was projected to run to Ft.

Smith, AR (225 miles). The company failed in 1913 and operated in receivership until 1922

and again from 1935 to 1939 when the present corporation was formed. Passenger service was

discontinued in 1948.

There's much more to come so hang in there. Virgil's shots, the lady's note about her husband's and father's life on the railroad, and pictures of my dog. I know, just pretend it's Christmas Eve. Santa will be here soon.

OK, Santa showed up. CLICK HERE to go to the next page.

Page 2

I found this on Patriot Rail's website. They are the new owners of the L&NW.

Louisiana & North West Railroad

The Louisiana & North West Railroad ("LNW") is a 68-mile, freight short line railroad headquartered in Homer, Louisiana. The LNW was incorporated in 1889 to take over the former Louisiana North & South Railroad. Today, the LNW operates trains from Gibsland, Louisiana, to McNeil, Arkansas. The railroad interchanges traffic with the Union Pacific at McNeil and with Kansas City Southern at Gibsland.

In addition to the rail line and other track assets, the LNW owns 845 acres of real estate, a general office building, five locomotives, maintenance of way equipment, motor vehicles, a locomotive shop, two rail car repair shops, three rail yards, three communication towers and 27 railcars.

Location: Homer, Louisiana

Headquarters:

Louisiana & North West Railroad

304 West Main Street

Homer, LA 71040

Phone: (318) 927-2031

Fax: (318) 927-2549

General Manager:

Johnnie

email: I know you'd love to have it so you could ask

a bunch of questions and request rides, but I can't divulge it.

Ol' Johnnie would not be happy with Ol' Stevie.

Mileage: 68

Equipment: 5 locomotives

Employees: 28

Connecting Railroads: Union Pacific @ McNeil, Arkansas, and Kansas City Southern @ Gibsland, Louisiana

Primary Commodities Handled:

Chemical products, wood products, steel products and plastics

Major Customers:

Albemarle Corporation, Weyerhaeuser, CMC Steel Arkansas, Partee Flooring and Berry Plastics

FROM: Here

Ok, what did I promise you?

Pictures of Virgil?

No No! Virgil's pictures. He was up in Homer, north, north Louisiana attending a conference. When he was asked to leave, he got in his car and drove around town a while taking pictures with a movie camera in still mode even though he was moving. So, and according to him, too, they ain't that good. But, I like them because they ain't that good. I'll tell you why. They are old and being old, they should wear some age. I'm not saying they are black and white old, but a "little faded" old. I'm trying to let you down off the high expectations I nurtured on the previous page. The pictures are appropriate if they ain't that good. But he had an excuse, of which I'm jealous.

If I made you dizzy, here's a reminder, we are looking around Homer. Did I day that north Louisiana is different?

This is not one of Vigil's pictures.

Whoa, bet these get hit by the image hounds. I snagged them

off the company's site so go ahead. It's free advertisement for

them, so send them to all your friends.

Cool side door caboose. This is the caboose that Virgil asked a

lady about which led to a note she sent him about life in a railroad

family. That's at the bottom of the page. Don't skip around or

you will miss stuff.

Here are Virgil's pictures of Homer. The smartypants comments

are mine.

Time to check into the Claiborne.

Very regal. I wonder if Dolly still sings there?

Not Dollyville Dolly, Dolly in "Gun Smoke".

OK Virgil, I need a little clarification here. This place looks like a jail.

Or a bank?

I'll lay money this monument is a tribute local boys that fought

in the Civil War, erected in 1909 or close, and done by the Daughters

of the CSA. There was a movement at the time to get this done, it

seems to me.

No doubt.

I know it is tough, but Homer is to be commended for his efforts

to keep the place preserved.

Now this is different. It looks like tile on the roof, a Spanish touch.

This one is very similar to the one in East Feliciana Parish which

was built in 1840.

Without a doubt.

This place is cute. More tile roof.

This one needs a friend and occupant. Looks like a date or name

on the front. Do you see that today? No.

OK, I'd seen the "1877", but wasn't sure.

I really like these boxy post offices. They are so "federal".

Built in the midst of the Depression, a very federal time. It seems

we are entering another one. [Depression and federal time]

Good message.

The roof line is very similar to a warehouse in Washington, Louisiana.

We can all lament about the fate of the old SERVICE Stations.

Guess what brand this one was. I guess, "City Service".

With clean rest rooms, "go on in the door is open".

Good job guys. Hang in there.

And, here we are at the corporate offices of the L&NW.

I guess that's it down there. Since there is no passenger service

there would be no need for a depot. The number on the boxcar

is 70X6yd5. Just kidding.

I'd hoped Virgil had gotten a steel building.

Are you getting in the mood? I love these places.

Neat shot. Notice the sliding door on the little building. Bet there

was a spur there. Maybe not, the building behind it is very close

to the tracks. Trying to figure it all out is such fun.

Shizam, this looks like fun, too!

This one looks like it might help cars back on the track.

Is that a barbecue pit on that thing?

I'd buy a ticket to see that thing work. I'd buy another ticket to work it.

Round houses are now square. Must have been a weekend.

Do you see those barbells? I ain't messin' with no railroad man.

Here's a defining shot. There's the corporate headquarters and

the round house. Madison Square Gardens is not long square.

It's oval. Where you fix trains will always be a roundhouse. Put

that in your piggy bank.

I'm looking at the white houses on the hill. It was a cold gray

day in February. My guess. The neighborhoods are different

in north north Louisiana, midwestern, I guess. I think they are

more like Arkansas than Louisiana. I see the change happening

distinctly above Winnfield or US 84. That's all theory and subject

to debate, but not with me.

Another service station. My guess, Conoco.

That's it for the slide show.

Virgil had met this older lady while up in Homer. She turned out

to be a golden connection in understanding what life as a L&NW

family was like.

First from Virgil, "Mrs. T, from Homer, La., who looked into the

Homer caboose for me, also shared some memories. Her father and

husband both worked for the L&NW. Her father was a Track Foreman

then a Road Master. Her husband worked his way up from clerk

to President. Apparently many of the workers lived in boxcars

converted to living quarters in Magnolia, Arkansas".