Gulf and Ohio Railways
Encyclopedia
Gulf & Ohio Railways is a holding company
for seven different short-line railroads in the Southern United States
, as well as a tourist-oriented passenger train, and locomotive leasing and repair service through Knoxville Locomotive Works
. Gulf & Ohio maintains its corporate headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee
.
The company owns railroads carrying a wide variety of commodities, generating around 40,000 annual carloads over approximately 225 miles of track.
in 1985. The Alabama & Florida and Wiregrass Central
soon followed as the next additions to the Gulf & Ohio network, beginning operations in 1986 and 1987 respectively.
in 1991, the H&S
in 1992, the Nash County Railroad
in 1994, and the Georgia & Florida in 1995. Also in 1994, Gulf & Ohio would further expand its presence in North Carolina by acquiring both the Yadkin Valley Railroad
and Laurinburg & Southern
. Growth continued with the acquisition in 1996 of the Lexington & Ohio
in Kentucky and expansion into Tennessee with the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad
in 1998.
The 1990s also saw the sale and transfer of some G&O lines to other operators, including the Alabama & Florida railroad on November 23, 1992 to Pioneer Railcorp
, and on April 30, 1999, Gulf & Ohio sold two of its railroads to North American RailNet
, which combined both — the Atlantic & Gulf and the Georgia & Florida — into a single entity, Georgia & Florida Railnet. This sale effectively ended the G&O presence in Florida, as well as ending their presence in Georgia until 2003.
began operations over part of the Alabama & Florida regained by Gulf & Ohio after being sold in 1992. Also in 2001, the Southern Alabama Railroad
was acquired and renamed the Conecuh Valley Railroad
.
2003 brought additional changes to Gulf & Ohio, including the creation of the Chattahoochee & Gulf Railroad
from former Norfolk Southern tracks in March concurrent with the sale of the Lexington & Ohio to R.J. Corman Railroad Company. In 2005, Gulf & Ohio began operating the Morehead & South Fork
at the port of Morehead City, North Carolina
.
and was no longer operated by Gulf & Ohio.
Knoxville became the center of Gulf & Ohio operations, with a locomotive shop, corporate headquarters, and special tourist excursions all based in the city. The company's corporate headquarters are located in the restored James Park House
in the city's downtown area. The company continued to acquire and sell subsidiary railroads, with its presence eventually contained to three states; Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Gulf & Ohio extended its presence into South Carolina
in November 2010 with the acquisition of the Lancaster and Chester Railway
, an independent railroad. In April 2011, RailAmerica
announced its plans to purchase three Gulf & Ohio subsidiaries in Alabama for $12.7 million. If successful, it would end the Gulf & Ohio presence in the state.
Concurrent with the 1995 acquisition of the Georgia & Florida railroad, the company changed its color scheme from bright red with road specific stylized logos to a flat black color featuring the corporate logo. The iconic large white numbers on the long hood remained, although they were now placed closer to the center as opposed to the end. With the influx of flat black GP10
locomotives from the Illinois Central and GP38
s from Norfolk Southern
, it became uneconomical to repaint all of the new additions red. Furthermore, due to the frequent transfer of locomotives between different subsidiaries the corporate logo appeared with the railroad name in plain text featured either above or below the logo to simplify the process of re-lettering locomotives as they moved to a different property.
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
for seven different short-line railroads in the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, as well as a tourist-oriented passenger train, and locomotive leasing and repair service through Knoxville Locomotive Works
Knoxville Locomotive Works
The Knoxville Locomotive Works is a subsidiary of Gulf & Ohio Railways tasked with maintaining the sizable locomotive fleet of its parent company. A second function involves administering equipment leasing operations on behalf of Gulf & Ohio. Locomotive repairs and qualifications are carried out...
. Gulf & Ohio maintains its corporate headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
.
The company owns railroads carrying a wide variety of commodities, generating around 40,000 annual carloads over approximately 225 miles of track.
History
Gulf & Ohio Railways was founded by Pete Claussen concurrent with the start up of the first G&O shortline, the Mississippi Delta RailroadMississippi Delta Railroad
The Mississippi Delta Railroad is a shortline railroad company operating from Swan Lake to Jonestown, Mississippi, a distance of ; the railroad interchanges with the Illinois Central at Swan Lake. Currently the railroad is owned by Coahoma County and was a former subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio...
in 1985. The Alabama & Florida and Wiregrass Central
Wiregrass Central Railroad
The Wiregrass Central Railroad is a shortline railroad operating of track from a CSX Transportation connection at Newton to Enterprise, Alabama via the south side of Fort Rucker. The company, a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways, began operations in 1987 on a former CSX Transportation...
soon followed as the next additions to the Gulf & Ohio network, beginning operations in 1986 and 1987 respectively.
Expansion
The company continued modest expansion throughout the 1990s, acquiring new railroads in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. These new additions included the Atlantic & GulfAtlantic and Gulf Railroad (1991–1999)
The Atlantic and Gulf Railroad was a shortline railroad that previously operated of track between Thomasville and Sylvester, Georgia via Albany. The Atlantic & Gulf was created in 1991 from former CSX tracks and currently exists as part of the Georgia & Florida Railway, a subsidiary of...
in 1991, the H&S
H and S Railroad
The H and S Railroad was a shortline railroad operating of track from Dothan to Taylor, Alabama. Upon its start in 1992 the railroad was a Gulf & Ohio subsidiary...
in 1992, the Nash County Railroad
Nash County Railroad
The Nash County Railroad is the operator of the Rocky Mount & Western railroad, connecting with CSX Transportation at Rocky Mount and running to Nashville, North Carolina...
in 1994, and the Georgia & Florida in 1995. Also in 1994, Gulf & Ohio would further expand its presence in North Carolina by acquiring both the Yadkin Valley Railroad
Yadkin Valley Railroad
The Yadkin Valley Railroad is the trade name of the Piedmont and Atlantic Railroad and is a shortline railroad operating two lines leased from the Norfolk Southern Railway originating out of Rural Hall, North Carolina for a distance of...
and Laurinburg & Southern
Laurinburg and Southern Railroad
The Laurinburg and Southern Railroad is a short-line railroad operating in North Carolina. The railroad has of track that runs south from Raeford to Laurinburg, North Carolina. In the past the Laurinburg and Southern controlled a number of other small railroads in North Carolina and Virginia...
. Growth continued with the acquisition in 1996 of the Lexington & Ohio
Lexington and Ohio Railroad (1996–2003)
The Lexington and Ohio Railroad was a shortline railroad formerly operating between a connection with Norfolk Southern at Lexington to Versailles, Kentucky, about . Upon its 1996 startup the railroad was a Gulf & Ohio subsidiary, the railroad was later sold R.J. Corman Railroad Group, who has...
in Kentucky and expansion into Tennessee with the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad
Knoxville and Holston River Railroad
The Knoxville and Holston River Railroad operates over within Knoxville and Marbledale, Tennessee. This short line railroad was created in 1998 and is currently owned by Gulf and Ohio Railways. The railroad also hosts a tourist train run by Gulf & Ohio Railways, the Three Rivers Rambler....
in 1998.
The 1990s also saw the sale and transfer of some G&O lines to other operators, including the Alabama & Florida railroad on November 23, 1992 to Pioneer Railcorp
Pioneer Railcorp
Pioneer Railcorp is a holding company for a number of American short-line railroads. Other subsidiaries offer locomotive and freight car leasing to its own railroads and to third parties, and also freight car cleaning. Pioneer also has interests in real estate and newsletter publishing.The...
, and on April 30, 1999, Gulf & Ohio sold two of its railroads to North American RailNet
North American RailNet
North American RailNet, Inc., based in Bedford, Texas, was a holding company of short line railroads. It formerly owned the following:...
, which combined both — the Atlantic & Gulf and the Georgia & Florida — into a single entity, Georgia & Florida Railnet. This sale effectively ended the G&O presence in Florida, as well as ending their presence in Georgia until 2003.
Continuing Changes
In June of 2001 Gulf & Ohio terminated operations on the Mississippi Delta railroad as the line was turned over to local interests - ending the G&O presence in Mississippi. During the same period, the Three Notch RailroadThree Notch Railroad
The Three Notch Railroad runs from a connection with CSX Transportation at Georgiana to Andalusia, Alabama, . This short line railroad was created in 2001 and is currently a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways....
began operations over part of the Alabama & Florida regained by Gulf & Ohio after being sold in 1992. Also in 2001, the Southern Alabama Railroad
Southern Alabama Railroad
The Southern Alabama Railroad was a shortline railroad formerly operating between a connection with CSX Transportation at Troy to Goshen, Alabama, about . The railroad currently exists as the Conecuh Valley Railroad subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways....
was acquired and renamed the Conecuh Valley Railroad
Conecuh Valley Railroad
The Conecuh Valley Railroad connects with the CSX at Troy, Alabama, and travels to Goshen, Alabama. This short line railroad was created after 2001 from the former Southern Alabama Railroad and is currently owned and operated by Gulf and Ohio Railways....
.
2003 brought additional changes to Gulf & Ohio, including the creation of the Chattahoochee & Gulf Railroad
Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad
The Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad was a short line railroad operating from 2003 to 2006 between Hilton, Georgia and Dothan, Alabama, on former Central of Georgia and Norfolk Southern tracks. Initially the railroad was a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways. In 2006, the railroad was acquired by...
from former Norfolk Southern tracks in March concurrent with the sale of the Lexington & Ohio to R.J. Corman Railroad Company. In 2005, Gulf & Ohio began operating the Morehead & South Fork
Morehead and South Fork Railroad
The Morehead and South Fork Railroad is a terminal switching railroad serving the port facilities of Morehead City, North Carolina and Radio Island with of track...
at the port of Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
.
Recent History
In 2006 Gulf & Ohio sold the H&S and the Chattahoochee & Gulf railroads to shortline operator Genesee & Wyoming Inc.. Both divisions were subsequently consolidated into a single operation, the Chattahoochee Bay Railroad. On February 1, 2010 the lease on the Morehead & South Fork was acquired by the Carolina Coastal RailwayCarolina Coastal Railway
Carolina Coastal Railway is a shortline railroad.CLNA operates of line from Pinetown to Belhaven, North Carolina. CLNA interchanges with Norfolk Southern at Pinetown....
and was no longer operated by Gulf & Ohio.
Knoxville became the center of Gulf & Ohio operations, with a locomotive shop, corporate headquarters, and special tourist excursions all based in the city. The company's corporate headquarters are located in the restored James Park House
James Park House
The James Park House is a historic house located at 422 West Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. The house's foundation was built by Governor John Sevier in the 1790s, and the house itself was built by Knoxville merchant and mayor, James Park , in 1812, making it the second-oldest...
in the city's downtown area. The company continued to acquire and sell subsidiary railroads, with its presence eventually contained to three states; Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Gulf & Ohio extended its presence into South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
in November 2010 with the acquisition of the Lancaster and Chester Railway
Lancaster and Chester Railway
The Lancaster and Chester Railway is a railway headquartered in Lancaster, South Carolina, in the United States. The original route connects Lancaster, in Lancaster County, with Chester in Chester County...
, an independent railroad. In April 2011, RailAmerica
RailAmerica
RailAmerica, Inc., based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a holding company of a number of short-line railroads and regional railroads in the United States and Canada....
announced its plans to purchase three Gulf & Ohio subsidiaries in Alabama for $12.7 million. If successful, it would end the Gulf & Ohio presence in the state.
Livery
Initially each subsidiary railroad had its own stylized herald for the cab section and short hood. However the early railroads shared a bright red paint scheme and distinctive large white unit numbers applied near the end of the long hood. Further development of the paint scheme brought about a common logo in the form of a simple black circular herald with a yellow border. The new logo was placed below the cab windows and featured a stylized version of the railroad name and initials within.Concurrent with the 1995 acquisition of the Georgia & Florida railroad, the company changed its color scheme from bright red with road specific stylized logos to a flat black color featuring the corporate logo. The iconic large white numbers on the long hood remained, although they were now placed closer to the center as opposed to the end. With the influx of flat black GP10
GP10
The EMD GP10 is a diesel-electric locomotive that is the result of rebuilding a GP7, GP9 or GP18.The Illinois Central Railroad had three separate rebuild programs to upgrade their old EMD GPs and GPs that they had purchased from equipment dealers such as Precision National Corporation in Mount...
locomotives from the Illinois Central and GP38
EMD GP38
An EMD GP38 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1966 and December 1971. Power was provided by an EMD 645 16-cylinder engine which generated ....
s from Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
, it became uneconomical to repaint all of the new additions red. Furthermore, due to the frequent transfer of locomotives between different subsidiaries the corporate logo appeared with the railroad name in plain text featured either above or below the logo to simplify the process of re-lettering locomotives as they moved to a different property.
Holdings
- Conecuh Valley RailroadConecuh Valley RailroadThe Conecuh Valley Railroad connects with the CSX at Troy, Alabama, and travels to Goshen, Alabama. This short line railroad was created after 2001 from the former Southern Alabama Railroad and is currently owned and operated by Gulf and Ohio Railways....
- Knoxville and Holston River RailroadKnoxville and Holston River RailroadThe Knoxville and Holston River Railroad operates over within Knoxville and Marbledale, Tennessee. This short line railroad was created in 1998 and is currently owned by Gulf and Ohio Railways. The railroad also hosts a tourist train run by Gulf & Ohio Railways, the Three Rivers Rambler....
- Knoxville Locomotive WorksKnoxville Locomotive WorksThe Knoxville Locomotive Works is a subsidiary of Gulf & Ohio Railways tasked with maintaining the sizable locomotive fleet of its parent company. A second function involves administering equipment leasing operations on behalf of Gulf & Ohio. Locomotive repairs and qualifications are carried out...
(locomotive shops and equipment leasing entity) - Lancaster and Chester RailwayLancaster and Chester RailwayThe Lancaster and Chester Railway is a railway headquartered in Lancaster, South Carolina, in the United States. The original route connects Lancaster, in Lancaster County, with Chester in Chester County...
- Laurinburg and Southern RailroadLaurinburg and Southern RailroadThe Laurinburg and Southern Railroad is a short-line railroad operating in North Carolina. The railroad has of track that runs south from Raeford to Laurinburg, North Carolina. In the past the Laurinburg and Southern controlled a number of other small railroads in North Carolina and Virginia...
- Nash County RailroadNash County RailroadThe Nash County Railroad is the operator of the Rocky Mount & Western railroad, connecting with CSX Transportation at Rocky Mount and running to Nashville, North Carolina...
- Three Notch RailroadThree Notch RailroadThe Three Notch Railroad runs from a connection with CSX Transportation at Georgiana to Andalusia, Alabama, . This short line railroad was created in 2001 and is currently a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways....
- Wiregrass Central RailroadWiregrass Central RailroadThe Wiregrass Central Railroad is a shortline railroad operating of track from a CSX Transportation connection at Newton to Enterprise, Alabama via the south side of Fort Rucker. The company, a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways, began operations in 1987 on a former CSX Transportation...
- Yadkin Valley RailroadYadkin Valley RailroadThe Yadkin Valley Railroad is the trade name of the Piedmont and Atlantic Railroad and is a shortline railroad operating two lines leased from the Norfolk Southern Railway originating out of Rural Hall, North Carolina for a distance of...
Former Holdings
- Alabama and Florida Railroad
- Atlantic and Gulf RailroadAtlantic and Gulf Railroad (1991–1999)The Atlantic and Gulf Railroad was a shortline railroad that previously operated of track between Thomasville and Sylvester, Georgia via Albany. The Atlantic & Gulf was created in 1991 from former CSX tracks and currently exists as part of the Georgia & Florida Railway, a subsidiary of...
- Chattahoochee and Gulf RailroadChattahoochee and Gulf RailroadThe Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad was a short line railroad operating from 2003 to 2006 between Hilton, Georgia and Dothan, Alabama, on former Central of Georgia and Norfolk Southern tracks. Initially the railroad was a subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio Railways. In 2006, the railroad was acquired by...
- Georgia and Florida Railroad
- H and S RailroadH and S RailroadThe H and S Railroad was a shortline railroad operating of track from Dothan to Taylor, Alabama. Upon its start in 1992 the railroad was a Gulf & Ohio subsidiary...
(formerly Hartford and Slocomb RailroadHartford and Slocomb RailroadThe Hartford & Slocomb Railroad was a shortline railroad operating of track from Dothan to Hartford, Alabama. Largely abandoned in 1992, the remaining tracks from Dothan to Taylor were sold to Gulf and Ohio Railways and operated as the H and S Railroad...
) - Lexington and OhioLexington and Ohio Railroad (1996–2003)The Lexington and Ohio Railroad was a shortline railroad formerly operating between a connection with Norfolk Southern at Lexington to Versailles, Kentucky, about . Upon its 1996 startup the railroad was a Gulf & Ohio subsidiary, the railroad was later sold R.J. Corman Railroad Group, who has...
- Mississippi Delta RailroadMississippi Delta RailroadThe Mississippi Delta Railroad is a shortline railroad company operating from Swan Lake to Jonestown, Mississippi, a distance of ; the railroad interchanges with the Illinois Central at Swan Lake. Currently the railroad is owned by Coahoma County and was a former subsidiary of Gulf and Ohio...
- Morehead and South Fork RailroadMorehead and South Fork RailroadThe Morehead and South Fork Railroad is a terminal switching railroad serving the port facilities of Morehead City, North Carolina and Radio Island with of track...