Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Belle Fourche Valley Railway

Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 137

Belle Fourche Valley Railway Company

Introductory

The Belle Fourche Valley is a corporation of the State of South Dakota, having its principal office at Huron, S. Dak., and its general administrative office at Chicago, Ill. The Belle Fourche Valley is controlled by the North Western, through ownership of the entire outstanding capital stock. On the other hand, the records do not indicate that this company controls any common-carrier corporation. This property has always been operated by the North Western.

Corporate History

The Belle Fourche Valley was incorporated May 26, 1909, under the general laws of the State of South Dakota, for the purpose of constructing and operating a railroad from a point on the North Western, near Belle Fourche in Butte County, to a point near proposed Government town sites in Butte County, S. Dak. The date of organization was June 1, 1909.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The owned mileage, extending from Belle Fourche to Newell, S. Dak., 23.545 miles, was constructed by the North Western for the Belle Fourche Valley during the period from June, 1909, to July 1, 1910. In addition, the Belle Fourche Valley has located a portion of a proposed line from Newell to a point near Philip, S. Dak., the construction of which has been indefinitely suspended.

Leased Railway Property

The entire property of the Belle Fourche Valley is leased to the North Western for a term of 25 years from July 1, 1914. The terms of the lease and the rental accrued for the year ending on date of valuation are given under leased railway property in the report on the North Western. The Belle Fourche Valley and the North Western have joint use of the telegraph line owned by The Western Union Telegraph Company along its railroad as provided in the agreement dated April 1, 1898, between the latter and the North Western.