Posts: 1,275
Threads: 145
Joined: Dec 2008
The Iowa Traction Railroad is a relic from a bygone era. Common-carrier freight service is offer by the privately-owned company in Mason City; traffic is interchanged with Canadian Pacific's Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern subsidiary and Union Pacific. I went to observe the railroad in October 2008 and have uploaded a number of photos this winter:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/railohio/tags/iatr/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/railohio/tags/iatr/</a><!-- m -->
Posts: 605
Threads: 27
Joined: Dec 2008
Railohio: Thanks for the link!! Man, it didn't take me very long to "get lost!!" Almost made me homesick for the prairies. (I was born and raised in Iowa.)
I only know what I know, and I don't understand very much of it, either.
Member: AEA, American Legion, Lions Club International
Motto: "Essayons"
Posts: 4,161
Threads: 174
Joined: Dec 2008
Nice shots Brian! I had the opportunity to see the line during a visit to Mason city years ago. I lived in Iowa for five years.
Ralph
Posts: 221
Threads: 11
Joined: Dec 2008
Great pics. My Dad lives in Mason City, so I too have had the opportunity to see the little railroad that could
Jim
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dieseldetailer.proboards53.com/index.cgi">http://dieseldetailer.proboards53.com/index.cgi</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.okmtc.com/community/index.php">http://www.okmtc.com/community/index.php</a><!-- m -->
Posts: 2,966
Threads: 158
Joined: Dec 2008
I had no idea something like this still existed in the USA!
--
Kevin
Check out my Shapeways creations!
3-d printed items in HO/HOn3 and more!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s-model-train-detail-parts">https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s ... tail-parts</a><!-- m -->
Posts: 2,458
Threads: 57
Joined: Dec 2008
I guess those critters are the "bugs" of the RR'ing world....
Surprising that they can haul several cars that are more than twice their size....Do they have some kind of "autonomous" power source so they can traverse small sections of "unpowered" trackage..??
Thanks for posting...
Gus (LC&P).
Posts: 3,888
Threads: 58
Joined: Dec 2008
Life is simple - Eat, Drink, Play with trains
Occupation: Professional Old Guy (The government pays me to be old.)
Posts: 2,966
Threads: 158
Joined: Dec 2008
What other non-passenger non-museum electric railroads are operating in the United States? The only other one I am aware of it the Black Mesa and Lake Powell railroad in Arizona. It is not a common carrier and only hauls coal from the mine to a power plant. Perhaps some small industrial railroad on the campus of a steel mill or refinery?
--
Kevin
Check out my Shapeways creations!
3-d printed items in HO/HOn3 and more!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s-model-train-detail-parts">https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s ... tail-parts</a><!-- m -->
Posts: 1,275
Threads: 145
Joined: Dec 2008
There's one or two in Texas. I think another utility coal-hauler and another traction remnant like this line.
Next time I'll be sure to post my photos in this forum. They seem to get a lot more views and comments than when I post them in US Rails.
Posts: 89
Threads: 3
Joined: Jun 2009
Black Mesa & Lake Powell, Texas Utilities, Deseret Western - all dedicated power plant lines. Is the Navajo Mine still running?
Iowa Traction is the only traction remnant. I seem to recall there was another in Texas that lasted to the 90s?
Fan of late and early Conrail... also 40s-50s PRR, 70s ATSF, BN and SP, 70s-80s eastern CN, pre-merger-era UP, heavy electric operations in general, dieselized narrow gauge, era 3/4 DB and DR, EFVM and Brazilian railroads in general... too many to list!
Posts: 1,275
Threads: 145
Joined: Dec 2008
2001, according to Wikipedia...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Transportation_Company">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Tran ... on_Company</a><!-- m -->
There is also, of course, the South Shore, but that is passenger-only for electrics now; freight service was dieselized in the 1970s.
Posts: 2,966
Threads: 158
Joined: Dec 2008
If you are talking about the Black Mesa mine, yes it is still operating. The adjacent Kayenta mine closed when the power plant in Laughlin, Nevada was closed. The Kayenta mine transported it's coal to the power plant via pipeline. In their future water use claims, both the Hopi and Navajo indicate a potential to re-open the Kayenta mine, or develop other mining areas, and build new power plants on the reservation. Proposals include the possibility of new dedicated electric railroads. However, I doubt such plans will ever come to fruition. There are too much politics that would have to agree (most importantly inter- and intra- tribal), and a very limited supply of a crucial natural resource - water. Most likely water to run a power plant or mine would have to come from off of the reservation, requiring a pipeline. And, the source of that water would have to be won in court -
--
Kevin
Check out my Shapeways creations!
3-d printed items in HO/HOn3 and more!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s-model-train-detail-parts">https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kevin-s ... tail-parts</a><!-- m -->
Posts: 89
Threads: 3
Joined: Jun 2009
The Navajo Mine Railroad is distinct from the Black Mesa & Lake Powell, though they're often confused. The BM&LP is in Arizona, from the Black Mesa Mine at Kayenta to the Navajo *Generating Station*. The Navajo Mine RR is in New Mexico, from the Navajo Mine to the Four Corners Power Plant.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/bmlp.html">http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/bmlp.html</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/navajo.html">http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/navajo.html</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thedieselshop.us/Navajo.HTML">http://www.thedieselshop.us/Navajo.HTML</a><!-- m --> says they bought E60Cs from NdeM, but lists the ex-Amtrak/NJT E60CP/CHs as still rostered in 2005. I thought they were scrapped by then?
Fan of late and early Conrail... also 40s-50s PRR, 70s ATSF, BN and SP, 70s-80s eastern CN, pre-merger-era UP, heavy electric operations in general, dieselized narrow gauge, era 3/4 DB and DR, EFVM and Brazilian railroads in general... too many to list!
|