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Murry Hammond is working to produce Rusty Rails & Dusty Trails history newsletters on the following Upshur County subjects. In general, I am looking for photographs to illustrate these histories, and surviving family stories to personalize them. If you have any pictures or stories on these old log railroads or sawmill life that you would be willing to let us copy for our publication, I'd love to speak with you by mail or e-mail or telephone. Contact: Murry Hammond (click for e-Mail) or call anytime at 818-653-4626.
Here are our needs:
Texas Southern Railway (1897 - 1908) and Marshall & East Texas Railway (1908 - 1918). Winnsboro to Elysian Fields, headquarters and shops at Marshall. After the line ceased operations in 1918, the Winnsboro to Gilmer portion operated for a few years in the 1920's as the Winnsboro & Gilmer Railroad, while the portion from Marshall to Elysian Fields was sold to the Marshall, Elysian Fields & Southeastern and operated until the early 1940's.
Winnsboro & Gilmer Railroad, 1922 - 1926. East Winnsboro to Rhonesboro, operating that portion of the abandoned Marshall & East Texas. As near as we can tell, the W. & G.'s sole piece equipment was a Model-T or similar highway truck that was converted to run on rails, and it's sole freight was a large fruit farm at Rosewood or Rhonesboro, and also cotton, all of which it hauled to Winnsboro. We need to know who operated this line, who were its customers, stories from those who rode it, and any photographs of the line operating, including any photos in general of the towns of Rhonesboro and Rosewood during those years.
Port Bolivar Iron Ore Railway, 1910 - 1927. The old railroad at Ore City, came up from Longview via the communities of Omega and James (also known as Diana or today, New Diana). The line operated a Model-T car converted for use on the rails, to haul mail and passengers, but at times required the use of a leased small Santa Fe steam engine. I would to know the names of the trains crews, and anyone else who worked on this line.
The P.B.I.O. Model-T rail car at Longview, 1920's.
Commercial Lumber Company at Gilmer. This company's log railroad became the basis for the Gilmer portion of the Texas Southern Railway. Need any photos or stories.
Thank you! |
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