Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Orange and Northwestern Railroad

Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 29

The Orange & Northwestern Railroad

Location and General Description of Property

The railroad of The Orange & Northwestern Railroad Company, herein called the Orange & Northwestern, is a single-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, located in southeastern Texas. The main line extends in a northerly direction from Orange, to Newton, 61.886 miles. The Orange & Northwestern also owns 17.463 miles of yard tracks and sidings. Its road thus embraces 79.349 miles of all tracks owned and used.

Introductory

The Orange & Northwestern is a corporation of the State of Texas, having its principal office at Orange, Texas. The Orange & Northwestern is controlled by the New Orleans, Texas & Mexico through ownership of a majority of the outstanding capital stock.

The Orange & Northwestern operated its own property from January 1, 1902, to December 31, 1917, except between July 9, 1913, and April 18, 1916, when it was operated by a receiver. On January 1, 1918, the common-carrier property of the Orange & Northwestern was taken over for operation by the United States Railroad Administration, which operates it on date of valuation.

Corporate History

The Orange & Northwestern was incorporated January 14, 1901, for a period of 50 years, under the general laws of the State of Texas, for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating a railroad from Orange to a connection with the Gulf, Beaumont and Kansas City Railway at or near Buna, about 30 miles. The articles of incorporation were amended by the filing of a certificate dated June 30, 1902, providing for an extension from Orange southeasterly to South Orange, about 5 miles; an extension from the eastern boundary line of Jasper County northerly to or near Marshall, about 150 miles; and an extension from Buna to Corsicana, about 150 miles.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The road owned by the Orange & Northwestern on date of valuation has been acquired by it as indicated hereunder:

Termini	Construction commenced	Acquired for operation	Mileage
Acquired by construction:
Orange to Buna.	May, 1901	January, 1902	30.000
Buna to Newton.	January, 1905	February, 1906	31.888
Total road mileage owned on date of valuation.			61.888

In the construction of 30 miles of the road, S. A. Robertson was employed as contractor and the remainder of the work was done by the forces of the Orange Construction Company and the Gulf Construction Company.

The principal officers of the Gulf Construction Company were also officers of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company. On April 14, 1906, before any payments had been made to the Gulf Construction Company, its contract was assumed by the Colorado Southern and Pacific Railroad Company, which completed the construction.

Leased Railway Property

As hereinbefore stated, the common-carrier property of the Orange & Northwestern has been operated by the United States Railroad Administration from January 1, 1918, to date of valuation.

The Orange & Northwestern used on December 31, 1917, facilities owned by other companies and other companies used facilities owned by the Orange & Northwestern, to the extent indicated below. The description of the property, the terms of use, and the rentals accrued and charged or credited to income for the year ended on December 31, 1917, are as follows:

	Rentals
Solely owned, but jointly used: Joint facility at Maunceville, Tex., used jointly with the Texarkana and Fort Smith Railway Company; no further information obtainable.	$51.93
Jointly used, but not owned: Joint facility at Bessmay, Tex., owned by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Company; rental, one-twelfth of 3 per cent on valuation of facility.	46.44

The equipment used by the Orange & Northwestern in the operation of its property, on date of valuation, is owned by the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico and the New Orleans, Texas & Mexico. It is not used under a formal lease, but is assigned as the operating requirements of the Orange & Northwestern warrant. Rent is paid therefor on a per diem basis. Repairs thereto are pooled and charged on a user basis.