LOUISIANA & NORTHWEST
The L&NW runs 62 miles from McNeil, AR south to Gibsland, LA. The line was a sleepy little short line with a couple of EMD SW8 switchers when in 1958 the Salzberg family of shortlines purchased the road. A traffic explosion in the 1960's led to the line's track being upgraded and a need for newer, larger power. Fellow Salzberg line Wellsville, Addison & Galeton in northern Pennsylvania had bought a group of ex-SP F units for their use, but several were soon sent south to the L&NW. Today, the line runs with second hand Geeps.
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The daily road train starts the day at McNeil, AR where connections were made with the Cotton Belt. F7's #47 & 45 are a few miles out of McNeil with train #15 on September 21, 1983. |
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The southbound train cuts through the forests approaching Magnolia, AR on 9/21/83. |
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At Magnolia, several industries were worked, including a large chemical plant, and before coupling back to their train the crew went to grab lunch. |
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The train crests a small rise near Emerson, AR. In a few more miles #15 will enter Louisiana. |
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Homer, LA is the operational headquarters of the line. Here the southbound train passes the general office building. Note the small F7's attached to the top of the L&NW sign. |
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Gibsland, LA at the south end of the line, was the site of the locomotive shop. Here is F7 #48 sitting next to the shop. Check out that headlight arrangement! |
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GP7u #50 was the ex UP #111 and was completely rebuilt by the L&NW shop in 1982. The unit leads F7 #46 on the northbound freight #16, leaving Gibsland, LA on Sept. 21, 1983. |
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The northbound is crossing the ICG diamond in Gibsland which was protected by swinging stop signs. The L&NW interchanged with the ICG and the North Louisiana & Gulf in Gibsland. The ICG line later became Mid-South RR and today is owned by the Kansas City Southern. |
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In June 2008 Patriot Rail Corp., which already owned several shortlines, acquired the L&NW. Patriot Rail GP9u #100 and GP11 #55 (ex ICG 8717) sit outside the L&NW shops at Gibsland, LA on May 29, 2009.