Lehigh & Hudson River Railway
Warwick Valley opened in 1862 as 6-foot-gauge line, standard-gauged in 1880. It was extended southwest as Lehigh & Hudson River, a name adopted for both lines in 1882. L&HR filed for bankruptcy on April 18, 1872, and was among the properties conveyed to Conrail on April 1, 1976.
Warwick Valley opened in 1862 as 6-foot-gauge line, standard-gauged in 1880. It was extended southwest as Lehigh & Hudson River, a name adopted for both lines in 1882. L&HR filed for bankruptcy on April 18, 1872, and was among the properties conveyed to Conrail on April 1, 1976.
Lehigh & New England Railroad
Earliest ancestor, South Mountain & Boston, was chartered in 1873. Several reorganizations later, one in 1895 produced the Lehigh & New England. Never a solid performer, L&NE petitioned for abandonment in 1960; Jersey Central acquired about 40 miles’ worth, but the rest was abandoned in 1961.
Earliest ancestor, South Mountain & Boston, was chartered in 1873. Several reorganizations later, one in 1895 produced the Lehigh & New England. Never a solid performer, L&NE petitioned for abandonment in 1960; Jersey Central acquired about 40 miles’ worth, but the rest was abandoned in 1961.
Lehigh Valley Railroad
Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill & Susquehanna was incorporated in 1846 to build from the coal center of Mauch Chunk, Pa., to Easton, where the Lehigh River flows into the Delaware. Renamed Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1853 and opened in 1855. By the 1930’s, Pennsylvania Railroad owned 31% of LV stock, increased to full ownership in 1961. LV filed for bankruptcy on June 21, 1970, and was among the properties conveyed to Conrail on April 1, 1976.
Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill & Susquehanna was incorporated in 1846 to build from the coal center of Mauch Chunk, Pa., to Easton, where the Lehigh River flows into the Delaware. Renamed Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1853 and opened in 1855. By the 1930’s, Pennsylvania Railroad owned 31% of LV stock, increased to full ownership in 1961. LV filed for bankruptcy on June 21, 1970, and was among the properties conveyed to Conrail on April 1, 1976.
Litchfield & Madison Railroad
Litchfield & Madison incorporated on March 1, 1900, to take over an isolated line of Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis between Litchfield and Madison, Ill. L&M built a connection to Chicago & North Western at Bend, Ill., in 1926, and served as the East St. Louis entry for C&NW and Illinois Central. Merged into C&NW on January 2, 1958.
Litchfield & Madison incorporated on March 1, 1900, to take over an isolated line of Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis between Litchfield and Madison, Ill. L&M built a connection to Chicago & North Western at Bend, Ill., in 1926, and served as the East St. Louis entry for C&NW and Illinois Central. Merged into C&NW on January 2, 1958.
Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road was chartered in 1834, and controlled by Pennsylvania Railroad from 1900 to 1966, when PRR sold LIRR to newly created Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority, now the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Long Island Rail Road was chartered in 1834, and controlled by Pennsylvania Railroad from 1900 to 1966, when PRR sold LIRR to newly created Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority, now the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Louisiana & Arkansas Railway
Louisiana & Arkansas’ first ancestor, Louisiana Railway & Navigation, built between New Orleans and Shreveport during 1896-1907, and extended to McKinney, Texas, near Dallas, in 1923 by acquiring a Katy branch. A southwestern Arkansas logging road begun in 1896 had been renamed Louisiana & Arkansas Railway by 1906, and in 1928 LR&N and L&A merged, taking the L&A name. Kansas City Southern acquired all L&A stock in 1939 and operated it as part of the system, but kept L&A as a subsidiary until 1995.
Louisiana & Arkansas’ first ancestor, Louisiana Railway & Navigation, built between New Orleans and Shreveport during 1896-1907, and extended to McKinney, Texas, near Dallas, in 1923 by acquiring a Katy branch. A southwestern Arkansas logging road begun in 1896 had been renamed Louisiana & Arkansas Railway by 1906, and in 1928 LR&N and L&A merged, taking the L&A name. Kansas City Southern acquired all L&A stock in 1939 and operated it as part of the system, but kept L&A as a subsidiary until 1995.
Louisville & Nashville Railroad
Louisville & Nashville was chartered by the State of Kentucky in 1850 to link its namesake cities. Control acquired by Atlantic Coast Line in 1902. ACL successor Seaboard Coast Line merged with L&N on December 29, 1982, to form Seaboard System Railroad, a subsidiary of CSX Corporation.
Louisville & Nashville was chartered by the State of Kentucky in 1850 to link its namesake cities. Control acquired by Atlantic Coast Line in 1902. ACL successor Seaboard Coast Line merged with L&N on December 29, 1982, to form Seaboard System Railroad, a subsidiary of CSX Corporation.
Maine Central Railroad
Maine Central was incorporated in 1862 to consolidate the Androscoggin & Kennebec and Penobscot & Kennebec, whose earliest predecessor dated to 1846. In 1870 MEC converted from 5-foot, 6-inch gauge to standard gauge and soon came under control of the Eastern Railroad, a control that passed to Boston & Maine in 1884. B&M control ended in 1914, but the two kept a corporate affiliation that lasted until December 29, 1955. After control by firms outside railroading, MEC was sold to Guilford Transportation Industries in June 1981.
Maine Central was incorporated in 1862 to consolidate the Androscoggin & Kennebec and Penobscot & Kennebec, whose earliest predecessor dated to 1846. In 1870 MEC converted from 5-foot, 6-inch gauge to standard gauge and soon came under control of the Eastern Railroad, a control that passed to Boston & Maine in 1884. B&M control ended in 1914, but the two kept a corporate affiliation that lasted until December 29, 1955. After control by firms outside railroading, MEC was sold to Guilford Transportation Industries in June 1981.
Midland Valley Railroad; Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf
Midland Valley; Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf; and Oklahoma City-Ada-Atoka all controlled by Muskogee Comapny and operated jointly. MV incorporated in 1903, acquired KO&G in 1925. KO&G had incorporated in 1918 as successor to bankrupt Missouri, Oklahoma & Gulf. OCAA incorporated in 1923 to acquire Shawnee Division of Missouri-Kansas-Texas, which was reorganizing. Muskogee Co. authorized sale of all rail stocks to Texas & Pacific in 1962. T&P acquired control in September 1964 but sold OCAA to Santa Fe. MV merged into T&P April 1, 1967. KO&G merged into T&P on April 1, 1970.
Midland Valley; Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf; and Oklahoma City-Ada-Atoka all controlled by Muskogee Comapny and operated jointly. MV incorporated in 1903, acquired KO&G in 1925. KO&G had incorporated in 1918 as successor to bankrupt Missouri, Oklahoma & Gulf. OCAA incorporated in 1923 to acquire Shawnee Division of Missouri-Kansas-Texas, which was reorganizing. Muskogee Co. authorized sale of all rail stocks to Texas & Pacific in 1962. T&P acquired control in September 1964 but sold OCAA to Santa Fe. MV merged into T&P April 1, 1967. KO&G merged into T&P on April 1, 1970.
MidSouth Rail Corporation
MidSouth Rail Corp. was created to purchase 373 miles of Illinois Central Gulf, effected March 31, 1986. MSRC was mostly the ex-Illinois Central route between Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La., whose earliest ancestor was the Clinton & Vicksburg (1833). On September 8, 1987, MSRC acquired the North Louisiana & Gulf and its subsidiary, Central Louisiana & Gulf (a former Rock Island line), and combined them as subsidiary MidLouisiana Rail Corp. Kansas City Southern bought out MidSouth on January 1, 1994.
MidSouth Rail Corp. was created to purchase 373 miles of Illinois Central Gulf, effected March 31, 1986. MSRC was mostly the ex-Illinois Central route between Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La., whose earliest ancestor was the Clinton & Vicksburg (1833). On September 8, 1987, MSRC acquired the North Louisiana & Gulf and its subsidiary, Central Louisiana & Gulf (a former Rock Island line), and combined them as subsidiary MidLouisiana Rail Corp. Kansas City Southern bought out MidSouth on January 1, 1994.
Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern Railway
MN&S was incorporated in 1918 to take over the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester & Dubuque Electric Traction Co.-the “Dan Patch Lines”-which despite its name was never electrified, using steam for freight and pioneer gas-electric power for its interurban passenger service. It became a profitable 87-mile Minneapolis-Northfield local industrial pike and was acquired by Soo Line on June 2, 1982.
MN&S was incorporated in 1918 to take over the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester & Dubuque Electric Traction Co.-the “Dan Patch Lines”-which despite its name was never electrified, using steam for freight and pioneer gas-electric power for its interurban passenger service. It became a profitable 87-mile Minneapolis-Northfield local industrial pike and was acquired by Soo Line on June 2, 1982.
Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad
Minnesota Western chartered in 1853. Name changed to Minneapolis & St. Louis in 1870. M&StL purchased Iowa Central in 1912, and in 1956 M&StL purchased the latter-day Minnesota Western, a 1924 creation unrelated to the original. Chicago & North Western purchased M&StL’s railroad assets on November 1, 1960.
Minnesota Western chartered in 1853. Name changed to Minneapolis & St. Louis in 1870. M&StL purchased Iowa Central in 1912, and in 1956 M&StL purchased the latter-day Minnesota Western, a 1924 creation unrelated to the original. Chicago & North Western purchased M&StL’s railroad assets on November 1, 1960.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
Incorporated in 1865 as Union Pacific Railway Southern Branch (no relation to UP proper). Name changed to Missouri, Kansas & Texas in 1866. The ampersand was dropped and a hyphen substituted (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) in a 1923 reorganization. Holding company Katy Industries created in 1967. After an off-and-on 3-year courtship, Union Pacific, through subsidiary Missouri Pacific, absorbed MKT (but not Katy Industries) on August 12, 1988.
Incorporated in 1865 as Union Pacific Railway Southern Branch (no relation to UP proper). Name changed to Missouri, Kansas & Texas in 1866. The ampersand was dropped and a hyphen substituted (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) in a 1923 reorganization. Holding company Katy Industries created in 1967. After an off-and-on 3-year courtship, Union Pacific, through subsidiary Missouri Pacific, absorbed MKT (but not Katy Industries) on August 12, 1988.
Missouri Pacific Railroad
Chartered in 1851 as Pacific Railroad, opened in 1852, renamed Missouri Pacific in 1870. Major early components included St. Louis & Iron Mountain, chartered in 1851; International & Great Northern (1873); and Gulf Coast Lines, a 1913 merger creation. All, plus others, came under Jay Gould control in 1879. Union Pacific absorbed MP on December 22, 1982, and absorbed operations but didn’t formally merge MP out of existence until 1997.
Chartered in 1851 as Pacific Railroad, opened in 1852, renamed Missouri Pacific in 1870. Major early components included St. Louis & Iron Mountain, chartered in 1851; International & Great Northern (1873); and Gulf Coast Lines, a 1913 merger creation. All, plus others, came under Jay Gould control in 1879. Union Pacific absorbed MP on December 22, 1982, and absorbed operations but didn’t formally merge MP out of existence until 1997.
Monongahela Railway
Monongahela Railway was incorporated in 1900 jointly by Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. In 1925 Baltimore & Ohio was admitted and ownership split into thirds. P&LE sold its third to Conrail in 1989, and B&O successor CSX did the same a year later. Conrail absorbed Monongahela in 1992.
Monongahela Railway was incorporated in 1900 jointly by Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. In 1925 Baltimore & Ohio was admitted and ownership split into thirds. P&LE sold its third to Conrail in 1989, and B&O successor CSX did the same a year later. Conrail absorbed Monongahela in 1992.
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway
Nashville & Chattanooga incorporated in 1845, opened in 1851, and connected in 1854 at Chattanooga with the Western & Atlantic, which was owned by the State of Georgia, having been chartered in 1836 and opened in 1850. Renamed Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis in 1873. Louisville & Nashville bought a majority interest in 1879, and merged NC&StL on August 30, 1957. Many consider this the beginning of the “modern merger movement.”
Nashville & Chattanooga incorporated in 1845, opened in 1851, and connected in 1854 at Chattanooga with the Western & Atlantic, which was owned by the State of Georgia, having been chartered in 1836 and opened in 1850. Renamed Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis in 1873. Louisville & Nashville bought a majority interest in 1879, and merged NC&StL on August 30, 1957. Many consider this the beginning of the “modern merger movement.”
New York Central System
The Mohawk & Hudson Rail Road was incorporated in 1826 and opened in 1831 between Albany and Schenectady, N.Y. In 1853, several railroads linking Albany and Buffalo consolidated as New York Central, which through the years assumed control of Boston & Albany; Michigan Central; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis (the “Big Four”); Ohio Central; and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. NYC in 1957 announced intent to merge with rival Pennsylvania, and merger as Penn Central was finally effected February 1, 1968.
The Mohawk & Hudson Rail Road was incorporated in 1826 and opened in 1831 between Albany and Schenectady, N.Y. In 1853, several railroads linking Albany and Buffalo consolidated as New York Central, which through the years assumed control of Boston & Albany; Michigan Central; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis (the “Big Four”); Ohio Central; and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. NYC in 1957 announced intent to merge with rival Pennsylvania, and merger as Penn Central was finally effected February 1, 1968.
New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad
Lake Erie & Western assembled in 1879-1880 from Fremont, Ohio, to Bloomington, Ill. New York, Chicago & St. Louis incorporated in 1881 for a Buffalo-Chicago line, a project reported as the “great double-track nickel-plated railroad,” a nickname that stuck. Nickel Plate Road system, including NYC&StL and W&LE, merged into Norfolk & Western on October 16, 1964. This N&W expansion included purchase of Pennsylvania Railroad’s Columbus-Sandusky (Ohio) line to connect existing N&W with the NKP-Wabash network.
Lake Erie & Western assembled in 1879-1880 from Fremont, Ohio, to Bloomington, Ill. New York, Chicago & St. Louis incorporated in 1881 for a Buffalo-Chicago line, a project reported as the “great double-track nickel-plated railroad,” a nickname that stuck. Nickel Plate Road system, including NYC&StL and W&LE, merged into Norfolk & Western on October 16, 1964. This N&W expansion included purchase of Pennsylvania Railroad’s Columbus-Sandusky (Ohio) line to connect existing N&W with the NKP-Wabash network.
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
The oldest ancestor of what became the New York, New Haven & Hartford was the Old Colony Railroad, which opened in 1845. On August 6, 1872, the New York & New Haven and the Hartford & New Haven were consolidated as NYNH&H. The last of several reorganizations occurred July 7, 1961, and the bankrupt “New Haven” was forced onto newly created Penn Central on December 31, 1968.
The oldest ancestor of what became the New York, New Haven & Hartford was the Old Colony Railroad, which opened in 1845. On August 6, 1872, the New York & New Haven and the Hartford & New Haven were consolidated as NYNH&H. The last of several reorganizations occurred July 7, 1961, and the bankrupt “New Haven” was forced onto newly created Penn Central on December 31, 1968.
Norfolk Southern Railroad
Elizabeth City & Norfolk began construction in 1880, renamed Norfolk Southern Railroad in 1883, renamed Norfolk Southern Railway in 1942 after receivership. NSR was bought by Southern Railway on January 1, 1974, and merged into Southern’s Carolina & Northwestern, which assumed the NS name. Carolina & Northwestern name reinstated in 1981 so NS name could be used for the big N&W-Southern merger.
Elizabeth City & Norfolk began construction in 1880, renamed Norfolk Southern Railroad in 1883, renamed Norfolk Southern Railway in 1942 after receivership. NSR was bought by Southern Railway on January 1, 1974, and merged into Southern’s Carolina & Northwestern, which assumed the NS name. Carolina & Northwestern name reinstated in 1981 so NS name could be used for the big N&W-Southern merger.
Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Corp. was created as a new holding company to acquire Norfolk & Western Railway and Southern Railway, effected June 1, 1982. Full merger effected Dec. 31, 1990, as N&W became a subsidiary of Southern, and Southern changed its name to Norfolk Southern Railway.
Norfolk Southern Corp. was created as a new holding company to acquire Norfolk & Western Railway and Southern Railway, effected June 1, 1982. Full merger effected Dec. 31, 1990, as N&W became a subsidiary of Southern, and Southern changed its name to Norfolk Southern Railway.
Norfolk & Western Railway
Norfolk & Petersburg chartered in 1850; it and two companions renamed from Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio to Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1881. Pennsylvania Railroad began purchasing interest in 1900, and by 1964 owned one-third. PRR bowed out as the Penn Central merger pre-planning precipitated N&W expansion by merger of NKP, Wabash, et al, in October 1964. N&W and Southern Railway assumed common ownership under Norfolk Southern Corp. in merger of June 1, 1982.
Norfolk & Petersburg chartered in 1850; it and two companions renamed from Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio to Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1881. Pennsylvania Railroad began purchasing interest in 1900, and by 1964 owned one-third. PRR bowed out as the Penn Central merger pre-planning precipitated N&W expansion by merger of NKP, Wabash, et al, in October 1964. N&W and Southern Railway assumed common ownership under Norfolk Southern Corp. in merger of June 1, 1982.
Northern Pacific Railway
Construction began in 1870, six years after charter as the land-grant Northern Pacific. Absorbed in March 1, 1970 Burlington Northern merger, along with Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Great Northern; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle.
Construction began in 1870, six years after charter as the land-grant Northern Pacific. Absorbed in March 1, 1970 Burlington Northern merger, along with Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Great Northern; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle.
Northwestern Pacific Railroad
Northwestern Pacific was incorporated in 1907 by Southern Pacific and Santa Fe to consolidate several smaller roads north of San Francisco. SP bought Santa Fe’s interest in 1929, and merged NWP in October 1992. NWP had no equipment of its own after 1960. Portion north of Willits sold to Eureka Southern on November 1, 1984; portion south leased to California Northern on September 26, 1993. Cal Northern relinquished lease to new company, which adopted NWP name. Northern portion now North Coast Railroad, and all of NWP owned by a local authority.
Northwestern Pacific was incorporated in 1907 by Southern Pacific and Santa Fe to consolidate several smaller roads north of San Francisco. SP bought Santa Fe’s interest in 1929, and merged NWP in October 1992. NWP had no equipment of its own after 1960. Portion north of Willits sold to Eureka Southern on November 1, 1984; portion south leased to California Northern on September 26, 1993. Cal Northern relinquished lease to new company, which adopted NWP name. Northern portion now North Coast Railroad, and all of NWP owned by a local authority.
I see several missing Fallen Flag Railroads: To name a few – Great Northern Railway, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific, Southern Railroad, Central Pacific, Southern Pacific, Denver Rio Grande Western, Santa Fe, Chicago,Burlington & Quincy. I believe most of these are more well known than most that were listed.