Shortline Railroads: Why They Matter!

I know that most of y'all are aware of the importance of shortlines, but this is more for those newer to the hobby. You'd be surprised how many railfans aren't aware of their local shortlines at all. Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy the video! Next video, we return to the Meridian Speedway for some Spring KCS action!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Hope to be visiting several new shortlines this summer! As of yesterday, I am finished with my junior year at Louisiana Tech. So hopefully you’ll be seeing an increase of video uploads. Thanks for watching!

[@killersopinion1829]

Congratulations on finishing another year of college sir!

[@TheMCClellanSpotter]

I love shortline railroads. I mean I love seeing train switch on small lines that barely see action that used to long ago

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@tedzehnder961]

It`s not just seeing a variety of power but the paint schemes add to the charm.

[@benmullins2443]

I lived next to an interchange point with the Illinois Railway and BNSF. The Illinois railway would move cars from a sand mine to the interchange point where the bnsf would pick them up. I remember riding my bike down there when I was about 12-13 and watching the crew work the yard. They were always really nice and would offer me bottles of water and I could definitely tell they loved their job and took pride in their work. The BNSF and UP and other class ones don’t seem to have that mentality anymore as they are run like corporations and the employees are just treated like a number. Great video!

[@robertweldon7909]

Many rail fans live not far from one short line railroad or another, I live in Acworth, Ga. To the west is the mainline of the CSX between Atlanta and Chattanooga. To the east, however, is the Georgia Northeastern, where it passes through Woodstock, Ga. One train a day 5 days a week, runs from Elizbeth (Marietta). Ga to Tate, Ga and return. The line serves numerous industries, that were abandoned by CSX when they went intermodal. The one industry I know best is the grain distribution silos for a chicken processing plant. The place even has a real old track mobile. They receive 14 or more grain hoppers per week. Gret summation. ;-)

[@appalachianenthusiast9499]

My local shortline hauls everything from propane to paper products, stone, agricultural goods, processed foods, and lumber, among others. In total, they have 14 customers with direct access and two public docks where multiple businesses can load/unload. Keep in mind this is on a ~25 mile system, so it likely is one of the top shortlines in terms of businesses per mile.

[@ActAshira]

sounds like an interesting railway! What's the name and where exactly is this??

[@appalachianenthusiast9499]

@@ActAshira It is the Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg, PA.

[@proudfoamer2]

I grew up in Bastrop Louisiana and my granny's house was right next to the 52 mile long A&LM railroad. Fun memories and friendly crews.

[@warreneisenburg2580]

I enjoy short line views as the locomotives are beautifully painted and clean. It's down and close to the operations of their services and able to meet some of the crew workers on a personal level

[@christophermoore974]

I grew up in Columbus, MS, a city that was served by 3 class ones (BNSF, KCS & NS) and 3 class threes (GTRA, CAGY & LXVR). Over the years ownership changed and now there's 2 class ones (BNSF & CPKC), a class two (AGR) and 3 class threes (GTRA, CAGY & ABSR) today. I recommend visiting Columbus and Atresia in the Golden Triangle region of Mississippi, if you have time to visit.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

The triangle has been on our radar a while now! Not sure when I’ll make the trek over, but I’ve wanted to cash in on the shortline action there.

[@christophermoore974]

@@LouisianaRailProductions There is the Golden Triangle Railroad with GP38-2 have K5HL/E-Bell combo. I say the GTRA is the most unique shortline in Mississippi. 810 and 819 got this combo in 2010, but the sought after is GTRA G1 (an MP15).

[@christophercarey3232]

I miss living next to the Toledo, Peoria & Western railway it was merely known as a regional.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Ironic. I filmed a Geep yesterday with TP&W heritage yesterday!

[@jeffbrown3963]

With fuel prices doubling I wonder how many of these marginal short lines will go under?

[@davidstewart5694]

One major problem is the big corporations, gwi, watco, omnitrax ect taking over shortlines then wanting to micro manage them essentially creating psr for shortlines. It doesn't work.

[@garykcs5532]

Great video Bishop I love short lines. On my next layout which will be my retirement layout it will be all about short lines, keep up the great work I've been really busy and I do have your videos to watch still. Gary

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks! I wouldn’t mind creating a layout of a shortline.

[@chrishinnant3924]

We have a short line in my town the Lancaster and Chester railroad. It interchanges with Norfolk Southern

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

I’ve seen some videos of them. Really like their blue paint. Definitely wanna check them out, if I’m ever in the area.

[@chrishinnant3924]

@@LouisianaRailProductions well they have a new paint scheme now. The locomotives are black with the locomotive number in big white numbers. They still have a few blue ones. They bought a few locomotives from CSX

[@jasonwells7737]

I wish there were more shoreline’s, these companies tend to have better customer service and pride for there work, the giants have lost this way of thinking

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

The root of the problem is that the giant railway companies are owned by stockholders and managed by executives. They are run by business people ignorant of railway engineering.

[@legotech7268]

Definitely very informative and appreciated as a person who does want to build a short line in the future this is very nice to hear how essential they are still.

[@BSPIVEY100]

Nice production value.

[@trainanswererguy8758]

Great video of the shortlines Bishop, pal! I was out on the Speedway today at Delhi & caught 2 trains, both of which were heading east to Artesia Yard & Inman Yard.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks

[@robertterry9367]

Bishop I loved this video, it's very important they are the feeder to class 1.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@CNUPRAILFANOFSOUTHERNILLINOIS]

Some railroad employees on class 3 railroads wear t shirts and no ppe it's all on their on choice

[@Trains21]

Damn nice video!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Much appreciated!

[@WayneAnding]

Nice job Bishop, looking forward to what’s coming.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Appreciate it!

[@gdog5032]

Very interesting! 😊

[@ntisoshl3201]

ALM IS MY FAVORITE SHORTLINE

[@rottenroads1982]

Think of all the railroad lines that were Ripped up by the Big Class 1’s all because of PSR? Well, those lines could have been turned into their own Short Line companies and been used only by said short line companies. The Class 1’s could hand down the responsibility for the unwanted lines to the Short Line companies so they can focus mainly on their mainlines, while the short line Class 2 & Class 3 railroad companies can make the unwanted railroad line profitable.

[@Locos-del-oeste]

Excellent capture my friend like and Greetings from Argentina 🙂✌

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@minnesotarailfan11]

great video!

[@warreneisenburg2580]

Real good information

[@RedPop4]

Are you familiar with the New Orleans & Gulf Coast here on the west bank of greater New Orleans? They operate on former Southern Pacific and Texas Pacific trackage, interchanging with the U.P. in Westwego, Louisiana? A lot of this line was U.P. line after they subsumed the T&P and the SP into the 1980s and 1990s. They are busy daily here where I reside, and it's good to see. Of course, the New Orleans Public Belt operates on the east bank, I am certain you know of them. Would not mind seeing you cover both, sometime.

[@Brianrockrailfan]

great video

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@bigiron2572]

I believe that they deserve better respect. Some of their tracks that are very old and bent need to be fixed

[@Bendigo1]

They are to trains what delivery trucks are to long haul trucks.

[@rodgodx345]

Why the crossing has a bell but no gates and lights?

[@markjl261]

It would be Awesome if you decide to visit and record our shortline operation in Henderson, Texas (ex MoPac HOB Branchline). Very interesting History on the HOB line with a local former MoPac Caboose and Train Station that is now the Henderson Museum on the east end of the line. Let me know in advance.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

For sure! I’m hoping to be there sometime this summer!

[@markjl261]

Aaron and I definitely will help in putting together a Great Video! This railroad likes all the publicity it can get. We had a brand new Customer build a muti million dollar Asphalt unloading facility on the line about 4 or 5 years ago, hard to believe when we took it over the line sat dormant for two years and was about to be abandoned by the UP, fortunately the city of Henderson and Rusk County stepped in and saved the line. Online rail business is growing and the city of Henderson is now clearing land for a planned rail served industrial park!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

I’ll be in touch with the both of you. I’m looking forward to heading over!

[@markjl261]

@@LouisianaRailProductions Very Awesome! I am definitely looking forward to it too!

[@TheOklahomaHotrail]

What is the song at 0:16 ?

[@darrelgibbs4898]

i Love KCS Union pacific is the wost line ever it alway have Derailment

[@Chris-hz1fi]

The skol is a neat railroad maybe you can make a vid about them