Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railroad
Pioneer Railcorps' PREX 3054. An EMD GP20 locomotive shortly after being painted in the company's colors. | |
Reporting mark | ND&W |
---|---|
Locale | Ohio, Indiana |
Dates of operation | 2012– |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Length | 53 miles (85 km) |
Headquarters | Defiance, Ohio |
Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railroad (Formerly Maumee & Western reporting - MAW) is a railroad in the United States operating between Woodburn, Indiana and Liberty Center, Ohio. The railroad originally extended to Toledo; portions have been converted to a rail trail.
There is currently railcar storage in Napoleon, Ohio. The line is used Monday through Saturday between Defiance and Napoleon, upon request in Woodburn, and between Woodburn to Defiance where the railroads' main yard is.[1] The track, which runs over the swamp ground for much of its length, is in an extremely poor state of repair, having had no maintenance for over fifty years.
The railroad was purchased by Pioneer Railcorp on December 28, 2012, which announced the intention to repair and extend it.[2] Pioneer described the line as "in dire need of rehabilitation",[2] and it began extensive rehabilitation in January 2013, replacing decayed cross ties and broken rail.
There are two interchanges:
- Norfolk Southern Railway in Woodburn;
- CSX in Defiance.
Pioneer also operates trackage in Cecil, Ohio that leads to Lafarge North America (Paulding Plant).
The railroad was originally a main line on the Wabash Railroad 5th District from New Haven, Indiana, to Toledo, Ohio, and was latterly part of the bankrupt Indiana Hi-Rail Corporation. The line between Defiance, Ohio, and Woodburn, was acquired with funding from the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC).[3]
References
- ↑ "Case Record For 92-1265-RR-CSS. Entry ordering that Indiana Hi-Rail Corporation suspend all commercial operations over its tract between Defiance and Cecil, Ohio, until such time as the Commissions' staff certifies that all unsafe and hazardous conditions due to excessive growth of weeds and vegetation have been eliminated; and dismissing complaint.". The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. February 10, 1994. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
- 1 2 2013-01-03. "Pioneer Railcorp Purchases Rail Line from Maumee & Western Railroad". Retrieved 2013-05-19.
- ↑ "New Haven to Defiance - Study Area". State of Ohio - Department of Transportation - U.S. 24. Retrieved 2008-10-09.