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First Train in
Asherton... Asherton & Gulf... 1908
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
The
railroad's offices had originally been in Carizzo
Springs.
From 1905 to 1909 the railroad was known as the Nueces Valley,
Rio Grande and Mexico Railway Company.
In 1909, 12 miles of track opened between Artesia
Wells and Light, Texas and before the year was over, the last
20 miles between Light and Asherton
were completed.
Like nearly all railroads
- most of the railroad's revenues were from freight operations. In
1916 the line reported passenger revenue of $5,000 and freight earnings
of $26,000. The railroad at this time owned two locomotives and six
cars.
The Asherton and Gulf was absorbed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad
in 1926, but continued to operate under it's own name until 1956.
The line was totally abandoned in 1958.
To demonstrate the economics of Texas before WWI
- we compare the Asherton and Gulf Railroad with East
Texas' Angelina
and Neches River Railroad - a short line road (in Lufkin)
of nearly the same size:
In 1916, the Angelina
and Neches River Railroad (one locomotive and five cars) earned
$6,000 in passenger fares while their freight receipts brought in
$40,000.
In 1916, the Asherton and Gulf Railroad (consisting of 2 locomotives
and six cars) earned $5,000 in passengers fares and $26,000 in freight.
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