Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/New Orleans Public Belt Railroad

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The railroad operated by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, herein called the carrier, owned by the city of New Orleans, is a standard-gage, steam railroad, most of which is double-tracked, located in or near the city of New Orleans, all in Louisiana. It comprises 12.917 miles of first main track, 11.729 miles of second main track, and 38.199 miles of yard tracks and sidings. The operated road thus embraces 62.845 miles of all tracks.

CORPORATE HISTORY

The carrier is not a corporation. Under an ordinance of the council of the city of New Orleans, La., approved August 11, 1900, a belt railroad board was created, with authority to acquire and operate, in the name of and for the benefit of the city of New Orleans and its citizens, a public belt railway to be located along the water front, from Protection levee to Press Street in the city of New Orleans.

Under an ordinance approved October 8, 1904, a new commission, the Public Belt Railroad Commission for the city of New Orleans, was created to supervise the construction and operation of the railroad property. Also, certain city property was dedicated for use as railway property.

By special acts of the General Assembly of Louisiana, approved June 30, and July 6, 1916, and an amendment to the constitution of the State of Louisiana adopted November 7, 1916, the city of New Orleans was authorized to construct bridges over and tunnels under the Mississippi River near New Orleans, La., and to extend its belt railway in and beyond the Parish of Orleans, La.

DEVELOPMENT OF FIXED PHYSICAL PROPERTY

The railroad property of the carrier, including 12.917 miles of first main track, 11.729 miles of second main track, and 38.199 miles of yard tracks and sidings, was constructed under the supervision of the Public Belt Railroad Commission for the city of New Orleans. The construction work began about September 1, 1906, and was completed in sections from August 18, 1908, to date of valuation. The construction work was performed principally by forces of the carrier. However, about 2 miles of the double-track road was constructed by and at the expense of the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroad Company in part consideration for trackage rights granted to that company by the city of New Orleans, La. Before the carrier was ready to begin operations, the track material on the 2 miles of road referred to had become unfit for use, and the carrier reconstructed the entire section.

HISTORY OF FINANCING