Longhorn Railway

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Longhorn 2008 Southwest Shorts Longhorn 4472

Longhorn Railway

Based out of the small town of McNeil, the Longhorn Railway operates approximately 162 miles of ex-SP trackage in central Texas. Capital Metro, the Austin company which owns the line, has employed Longhorn as the line's operator since spring of 1996. The line's previous operator was RailTex's now-defunct Austin & Northwestern.

The line runs from a connection with the former SP Flatonia Sub at Giddings, west through Elgin and McNeil to Burnet. Trackage continues west to Marble Falls and Llano, although the railroad hasve suspended operations west of Marble Falls. Operations are based out of Longhorn's small yard at McNeil, located on the far north side of Austin, just south of the town of Round Rock. Longhorn interchanges with UP at McNeil and UP and BNSF (via BNSF's trackage rights over the UP) at Elgin. The Austin Steam Train Association runs weekend passenger excursions on the line as well.

Interestingly, as I work to publish this page on March 22, 2000, Capital Metro is attempting to remove Longhorn as the line's operator on the basis of an alleged breach-of-contract. Capital Metro charges that Longhorn defaulted on its contract by failing to properly maintain the line, failing to provide financial and business records, and failing to pay taxes in a timely manner. Capital Metro has cancelled its contract with Longhorn, and plans to bring in Econorail as an "emergency operator" for a six-month period while it re-bids the contract. Meanwhile, it appears that Longhorn will protest the cancellation. In a March 9 newspaper article, the Austin American-Statesman quoted Longhorn President Don Cheatham as saying, "They've got a fight on their hands now". Expect an ugly legal battle before this thing gets resolved.

Please click on any picture below to see a larger image.

Longhorn Railway's hand-painted sign is prominently displayed at the railroad's small yard in McNeil, Texas on May 7, 1996, during the company's first month of operation.

Longhorn Railway GP9 2003 was at UP's Centennial yard in Ft. Worth, Texas on April 16, 1996, en route to McNeil for delivery to the new shortline operator.

Longhorn Railway GP35 # 2006 was at McNeil, Texas on May 7, 1996.

Longhorn Railway SW1200 2008 switches cars at the east end of Longhorn's yard at McNeil, Texas on May 23, 1996.

Longhorn's McNeil yard in this January 1999 photo reveals that the line has undergone a dramatic transition in motive power. The Omnitrax power is gone, replaced by ex-Juniata Terminal SW1500 9275 and ex-Oregon, California & Eastern U25B (model TE53-1-4E, an MK rebuild of an ex-UP U25B for you rivet counters) 7603, leased from Econorail.

Longhorn 4518, leased from Econorail, leads a westbound train near the western end of Longhorn's trackage south of Burnet, Texas in January 1999.

A Longhorn train has arrived at the Pioneer limestone quarry south of Burnet, Texas on January 12, 1999. To expedite switching, the crew has split the consist and the 4518 is pulling loads while the 4472 prepares to spot empties.

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	Longhorn Railway's hand-painted sign is prominently displayed at the railroad's small yard in McNeil, Texas on May 7, 1996, during the company's first month of operation.
	Longhorn Railway GP9 2003 was at UP's Centennial yard in Ft. Worth, Texas on April 16, 1996, en route to McNeil for delivery to the new shortline operator.
	Longhorn Railway GP35 # 2006 was at McNeil, Texas on May 7, 1996.
	Longhorn Railway SW1200 2008 switches cars at the east end of Longhorn's yard at McNeil, Texas on May 23, 1996.
	Longhorn's McNeil yard in this January 1999 photo reveals that the line has undergone a dramatic transition in motive power. The Omnitrax power is gone, replaced by ex-Juniata Terminal SW1500 9275 and ex-Oregon, California & Eastern U25B (model TE53-1-4E, an MK rebuild of an ex-UP U25B for you rivet counters) 7603, leased from Econorail.
	Longhorn 4518, leased from Econorail, leads a westbound train near the western end of Longhorn's trackage south of Burnet, Texas in January 1999.
	A Longhorn train has arrived at the Pioneer limestone quarry south of Burnet, Texas on January 12, 1999. To expedite switching, the crew has split the consist and the 4518 is pulling loads while the 4472 prepares to spot empties.