Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Zanesville Belt and Terminal Railway

Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 31

Location and General Description of Property
The railroad of the Zanesville Belt and Terminal Railway Company, herein called the Zanesville Belt Railway, which is leased to and operated by the carrier [Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway], is a single-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, extending from a point between Third and Fourth Streets in Zanesville, in and around the city, to connections with other railroads, with 3.588 miles of road.

Introductory
The Zanesville Belt Railway is a corporation of the State of Ohio, having its principal office at Cleveland, Ohio. The accounting records of the company were not obtained. Therefore, no information can be given from its accounts regarding its financial dealings, corporate operations, or investments. Certain information indicated hereinafter has been taken from sources other than the accounting records of the company. The company is controlled by the carrier through ownership of the entire outstanding capital stock. The records reviewed do not indicate that the Zanesville Belt Railway controls any common-carrier corporation.

From the date of its organization to December 31, 1916, the property of the company was operated by The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad Company and its receivers. From the latter date to December 31, 1917, it was operated by the carrier. The property was taken over for operation by the United States Railroad Administration on January 1, 1918, as a part of the system of the carrier and it was so operated on date of valuation.

Corporate History
The Zanesville Belt Railway was incorporated March 1, 1901, under the general laws of the State of Ohio, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a railroad in and around the city of Zanesville, Ohio. The date of organization was March 5, 1901.

The company acquired by deed dated March 14, 1901, the property, rights, and franchises of The Zanesville, Mt. Vernon and Marion Railway Company, which had been sold at foreclosure sale on April 25, 1895. The Zanesville, Mt. Vernon and Marion Railway Company, the only predecessor of the Zanesville Belt Railway, was incorporated January 4, 1886, under the general laws of the State of Ohio. It was sold at foreclosure April 25, 1895, and was later acquired by the Zanesville Belt Railway, as above stated.

Development of Fixed Physical Property
The entire owned mileage of the Zanesville Belt Railway was acquired by purchase after foreclosure proceedings, as previously explained. This mileage was constructed by The Zanesville, Mt. Vernon and Marion Railway Company and placed in operation about 1887.

Leased Railway Property
The property of the Zanesville Belt Railway was solely operated by the carrier or The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad Company and its receivers, from the date of its organization to December 31, 1917, by virtue of stock control. From January 1, 1918, to date of valuation the property of the Zanesville Belt Railway has been operated by the United States Railroad Administration as a part of the system of the carrier. Further details are given under leased railway property in the report on the carrier.