New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad
Encyclopedia
The New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad (NOO&GW) was chartered in 1852. Construction began at Algiers
, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, in late 1852. By 1857, the track had reached Brashear (now Morgan City
) on Berwick Bay
, and this remained the end of the line for over 20 years. The NOO&GW was built to the "Texas gauge" of , the only such railroad in the New Orleans area to use that gauge; the line was converted
to standard gauge
in 1872.
In 1869, steamship operator Charles Morgan
bought the NOO&GW and began operating it as owner. In 1878 he organized his railroad property as Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad and Steamship Company, and it eventually became part of the Southern Pacific Company's main line.
(later Reconstruction Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans) was the Secretary and Treasurer of the line. In 1869, the company was bought by Charles Morgan.
Algiers, Louisiana
Algiers is a neighborhood within the city of New Orleans. It is the portion of Orleans Parish on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.Algiers is also known as the 15th Ward, one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans.-History:...
, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, in late 1852. By 1857, the track had reached Brashear (now Morgan City
Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
) on Berwick Bay
Berwick Bay
Berwick Bay is the section of the Lower Atchafalaya River in Louisiana from Morgan City north to Sixmile Lake. U.S. Route 90 crosses Berwick Bay connecting the town of Berwick on the west bank of the Atchafalaya to Morgan City on the east bank. There is also a Southern Pacific vertical lift...
, and this remained the end of the line for over 20 years. The NOO&GW was built to the "Texas gauge" of , the only such railroad in the New Orleans area to use that gauge; the line was converted
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
in 1872.
In 1869, steamship operator Charles Morgan
Charles Morgan (businessman)
Charles Morgan was a U.S. railroad and shipping magnate. Morgan played a leading role in the development of transportation and commerce in the Southern United States through the mid-to-late 19th century.-Career:...
bought the NOO&GW and began operating it as owner. In 1878 he organized his railroad property as Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad and Steamship Company, and it eventually became part of the Southern Pacific Company's main line.
Leadership
From the establishment of the company in 1852 until 1862, Benjamin FlandersBenjamin Flanders
Benjamin Franklin Flanders was appointed the 21st Governor of Louisiana during Reconstruction and was Mayor of New Orleans.-Early life:...
(later Reconstruction Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans) was the Secretary and Treasurer of the line. In 1869, the company was bought by Charles Morgan.