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{{Infobox SG rail
{{Infobox rail | gauge={{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|railroad_name=West Texas and Lubbock Railway
|railroad_name=West Texas & Lubbock Railway
|logo_filename=Permian Basin logo.png
|logo_filename=Permian Basin logo.png
|logo_size=113
|logo_size=100
|image= WTLC_2009_007.jpg
|image_size =
|image_caption = WT&L freight train near [[Ropesville]]
|marks=WTLC
|marks=WTLC
|locale=[[West Texas]]
|locale=[[West Texas]]
|start_year=2002
|start_year=2002
|end_year=
|successor_line=
|old_gauge=
|hq_city=[[Brownfield, Texas]]
|hq_city=[[Brownfield, Texas]]
}}
}}
The '''West Texas and Lubbock Railway''' {{reporting mark|WTLC}} is a [[shortline railroad]] in [[Texas]], owned by [[Iowa Pacific Holdings]] through its [[Permian Basin Railways]] subsidiary. It connects the [[BNSF Railway]] in [[Lubbock, TX|Lubbock]] with agricultural and oil-producing areas to the west and southwest. The company operates 107 miles of two ex-[[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] lines, extending to [[Whiteface, TX|Whiteface]] and [[Seagraves, TX|Seagraves]] parallel to [[State Highway 114 (Texas)|State Highway 114]] and [[U.S. Highway 62 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 62]]. The primary commodities hauled are fertilizer, construction aggregates, grain, cotton, chemicals, peanuts and plastics.
The '''West Texas & Lubbock Railway''' {{reporting mark|WTLC}} is a [[shortline railroad]] in [[Texas]], owned by [[Watco]]. It connects the [[BNSF]] in [[Lubbock]] with agricultural and oil-producing areas to the west and southwest. The company operates 107 miles of two ex-[[Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway]] lines, extending to [[Whiteface, Texas|Whiteface]] and [[Seagraves, Texas|Seagraves]] parallel to [[State Highway 114 (Texas)|State Highway 114]] and [[U.S. Route 62 in Texas|U.S. Highway 62]]. The primary commodities hauled are fertilizer, construction aggregates, grain, cotton, chemicals, peanuts and plastics.


==History==
==History==
The origin of the two lines that make up today’s WTLC is the Crosbyton-Southplains Railroad Company (CS) which was chartered in 1910 to build a line from Lubbock to Crosbyton, TX. n 1915, the CS was purchased by the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] (ATSF) which changed its name to the [[South Plains and Santa Fe Railway]](SPSF). The [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] system, opened by the [[South Plains and Santa Fe Railway]] to Seagraves in 1918 and to [[Bledsoe, TX|Bledsoe]] in 1925 (later cut back to Whiteface).<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=eqs21|name=South Plains and Santa Fe Railway|author=Nancy Beck Young|retrieved=February 2009}}</ref> The Santa Fe sold the two lines to the '''Seagraves, Whiteface and Lubbock Railroad''' {{reporting mark|SWGR}} in April 1990, and in November 1995 [[RailAmerica]] took over operations through the '''West Texas and Lubbock Railroad''' {{reporting mark|WTLR}},<ref name=shortline>Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide, 5th Edition, [[Kalmbach Publishing]], 1996, p. 331</ref> which also operated the affiliated [[Plainview Terminal Company]].<ref>[[Railroad Retirement Board]], [http://www.rrb.gov/pdf/bcd/bcd96-26.pdf Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railroad Company, Inc.; Plainview Terminal Company], March 8, 1996</ref> [[Iowa Pacific Holdings]] organized the West Texas and Lubbock ''Railway'', which began operating the West Texas and Lubbock ''Railroad'' under lease in 2002.<ref>[[Railroad Retirement Board]], [http://www.rrb.gov/blaw/bcd/bcd02-93.htm Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railway Company, Inc.], December 31, 2002</ref> In 2004 Iowa Pacific bought from RailAmerica the old WT&L, which still exists as a [[non-operating subsidiary]].<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/B515CDCB70351C1085256F6D00594BCD?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 34613], December 22, 2004</ref> The new WT&L expanded its operations in January 2006 when it began providing emergency [[alternative rail service]] to two plants of [[PYCO Industries]] in Lubbock, since that operated by [[South Plains Switching]] was inadequate. PYCO acquired the line in November 2007 as a [[feeder line development program|feeder line]], and the WT&L continues to operate over it.<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/69178D872D4689008525752000539335?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 35111], December 15, 2008</ref> Also in 2007, the WT&L bought the BNSF line between [[Plainview, TX|Plainview]] and [[Dimmitt, TX|Dimmitt]],<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/95A5908E667C96C98525737900533838?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 35079], October 26, 2007</ref> which [[Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad]] subsidiary [[Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway]] had completed in 1928.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=eqf04|name=Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway|author=Chris Cravens|retrieved=March 2009}}</ref>
The origin of the two lines that make up today’s WTLC is the Crosbyton-Southplains Railroad Company (CSRC) which was chartered in 1910 to build a line from [[Lubbock]] to [[Crosbyton]]. In 1915, the CSRC was purchased by the [[Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway]] (ATSF) which changed its name to the South Plains and Santa Fe Railway. The ATSF system, opened by the South Plains and Santa Fe Railway to Seagraves in 1918 and to [[Bledsoe, Texas|Bledsoe]] in 1925 (later cut back to Whiteface).<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=eqs21|name=South Plains and Santa Fe Railway|author=Nancy Beck Young|retrieved=February 2009}}</ref> The Santa Fe sold the two lines to the '''Seagraves, Whiteface and Lubbock Railroad''' {{reporting mark|SWGR}} in April 1990, and in November 1995 [[RailAmerica]] took over operations through the '''West Texas and Lubbock Railroad''' {{reporting mark|WTLR}},<ref name=shortline>Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide, 5th Edition, [[Kalmbach Media|Kalmbach Publishing]], 1996, p. 331</ref> which also operated the affiliated Plainview Terminal Company.<ref>[[Railroad Retirement Board]], [http://www.rrb.gov/pdf/bcd/bcd96-26.pdf Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railroad Company, Inc.; Plainview Terminal Company], March 8, 1996</ref> [[Iowa Pacific]] organized the West Texas and Lubbock ''Railway'', which began operating the West Texas and Lubbock ''Railroad'' under lease in 2002.<ref>[[Railroad Retirement Board]], [http://www.rrb.gov/blaw/bcd/bcd02-93.htm Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railway Company, Inc.], December 31, 2002</ref> In 2004 Iowa Pacific bought from RailAmerica the old WT&L, which still exists as a [[non-operating subsidiary]].<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/B515CDCB70351C1085256F6D00594BCD?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 34613] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224124831/http://www.stb.dot.gov/Decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/B515CDCB70351C1085256F6D00594BCD?OpenDocument |date=2012-02-24 }}, December 22, 2004</ref> The new WT&L expanded its operations in January 2006 when it began providing emergency alternative rail service to two plants of [[PYCO Industries]] in Lubbock, since that operated by [[South Plains Switching]] was inadequate. PYCO acquired the line in November 2007 as a [[feeder line development program|feeder line]], and the WT&L continues to operate over it.<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/69178D872D4689008525752000539335?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 35111], December 15, 2008</ref> Also in 2007, the WT&L bought the BNSF line between [[Plainview, Texas|Plainview]] and [[Dimmitt, Texas|Dimmitt]],<ref>[http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/95A5908E667C96C98525737900533838?OpenDocument STB Finance Docket No. 35079], October 26, 2007</ref> which [[Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad]] subsidiary [[Fort Worth & Denver Railway|Fort Worth & Denver South Plains Railway]] had completed in 1928.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=eqf04|name=Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway|author=Chris Cravens|retrieved=March 2009}}</ref>


In May 2015, [[Watco]] purchased the WT&L from Iowa Pacific, with the railroad planned to be renamed the Lubbock and Western Railway.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://progressiverailroading.com/short_lines_regionals/news/Watco-to-acquire-two-west-Texas-short-lines--44547 | title=Watco to acquire two west Texas short lines | publisher=Progressive Railroading | date=22 May 2015 | access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref>
<gallery widths="350px" heights="210px">
File:WTLC_2009_007.jpg | West Texas & Lubbock Railway
</gallery>


=== Cities Served ===
=== Cities Served ===
Line 37: Line 41:
*Roy
*Roy
*Dimmitt
*Dimmitt
*West, TX


=== Locomotives Operated ===
=== Locomotives Operated ===
*One EMD SD9043MAC
*One EMD SD9043MAC
*Three EMD GP38's
*Three [[EMD GP38]]s
*Two EMD F40 mother-mate sets
*Two [[EMD F40PH|EMD F40]] mother-mate sets
*One EMD GP20
*One [[EMD GP20]]


=== Commodities Transported ===
=== Commodities Transported ===
Line 66: Line 71:


{{Texas railroads}}
{{Texas railroads}}
{{Watco}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:West Texas Lubbock Railway}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:West Texas Lubbock Railway}}
[[Category:Texas railroads]]
[[Category:Texas railroads]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Companies operating former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway lines]]
[[Category:Companies operating former Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad lines]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Lubbock, Texas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Lubbock, Texas]]
[[Category:Watco]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 18 May 2023

West Texas & Lubbock Railway
WT&L freight train near Ropesville
Overview
HeadquartersBrownfield, Texas
Reporting markWTLC
LocaleWest Texas
Dates of operation2002–
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The West Texas & Lubbock Railway (reporting mark WTLC) is a shortline railroad in Texas, owned by Watco. It connects the BNSF in Lubbock with agricultural and oil-producing areas to the west and southwest. The company operates 107 miles of two ex-Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway lines, extending to Whiteface and Seagraves parallel to State Highway 114 and U.S. Highway 62. The primary commodities hauled are fertilizer, construction aggregates, grain, cotton, chemicals, peanuts and plastics.

History

[edit]

The origin of the two lines that make up today’s WTLC is the Crosbyton-Southplains Railroad Company (CSRC) which was chartered in 1910 to build a line from Lubbock to Crosbyton. In 1915, the CSRC was purchased by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) which changed its name to the South Plains and Santa Fe Railway. The ATSF system, opened by the South Plains and Santa Fe Railway to Seagraves in 1918 and to Bledsoe in 1925 (later cut back to Whiteface).[1] The Santa Fe sold the two lines to the Seagraves, Whiteface and Lubbock Railroad (reporting mark SWGR) in April 1990, and in November 1995 RailAmerica took over operations through the West Texas and Lubbock Railroad (reporting mark WTLR),[2] which also operated the affiliated Plainview Terminal Company.[3] Iowa Pacific organized the West Texas and Lubbock Railway, which began operating the West Texas and Lubbock Railroad under lease in 2002.[4] In 2004 Iowa Pacific bought from RailAmerica the old WT&L, which still exists as a non-operating subsidiary.[5] The new WT&L expanded its operations in January 2006 when it began providing emergency alternative rail service to two plants of PYCO Industries in Lubbock, since that operated by South Plains Switching was inadequate. PYCO acquired the line in November 2007 as a feeder line, and the WT&L continues to operate over it.[6] Also in 2007, the WT&L bought the BNSF line between Plainview and Dimmitt,[7] which Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad subsidiary Fort Worth & Denver South Plains Railway had completed in 1928.[8]

In May 2015, Watco purchased the WT&L from Iowa Pacific, with the railroad planned to be renamed the Lubbock and Western Railway.[9]

Cities Served

[edit]
  • Lubbock, TX
  • Doud, TX
  • Wollforth, TX
  • Ropesville, TX
  • Meadow, TX
  • Brownfield, TX
  • Wellman, TX
  • Seagraves, TX
  • Hurlwood, TX
  • Smyer, TX
  • Levelland, TX
  • Whiteface, TX
  • Wright
  • Edmonson
  • Grisham
  • Hilburn
  • Hart
  • Roy
  • Dimmitt
  • West, TX

Locomotives Operated

[edit]

Commodities Transported

[edit]
  • Chemicals
  • Cotton
  • Grain
  • Farm Machinery
  • Lumber
  • Oilfield Supplies
  • Peanuts
  • Plastic
  • Rock
  • Fertilizer
  • Animal/Poultry feedstock

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nancy Beck Young: South Plains and Santa Fe Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved February 2009.
  2. ^ Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide, 5th Edition, Kalmbach Publishing, 1996, p. 331
  3. ^ Railroad Retirement Board, Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railroad Company, Inc.; Plainview Terminal Company, March 8, 1996
  4. ^ Railroad Retirement Board, Employer Status Determination: West Texas and Lubbock Railway Company, Inc., December 31, 2002
  5. ^ STB Finance Docket No. 34613 Archived 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, December 22, 2004
  6. ^ STB Finance Docket No. 35111, December 15, 2008
  7. ^ STB Finance Docket No. 35079, October 26, 2007
  8. ^ Chris Cravens: Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved March 2009.
  9. ^ "Watco to acquire two west Texas short lines". Progressive Railroading. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
[edit]
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