Watch Locomotives Pass Over The Worst Railroad In America – Tracks Look Like Spaghetti!


Watch Locomotives Pass Over The Worst Railroad In America – Tracks Look Like Spaghetti!

(WORDS BY GREG ROURKE) – Steel wheels on steel rails is a very efficient way to move freight. Many hundreds of thousands of tons move across the landscape daily. However, the big railroads are mainly interested on long trains moving at high speeds. Sometimes carloads must be moved down lesser traveled branch lines that are no longer profitable for a big railroad. That’s where a shortline comes in.

Shortlines generally operate lesser used lines, which were sometimes former main lines that for various reasons became almost obsolete. They often operate with a ragtag bunch of hand-me-down locomotives and equipment, anything to get the job done. Maintenance is generally done on an as needed basis. But then, sometimes we end up with the Maumee and Western.

The Maumee and Western operates a former Wabash mainline between Woodburn, Indiana and Liberty Center, Ohio. Other defunct shortlines operated this line, and part of it was turned into a bicycle trail. What’s left is 15 miles of very poorly maintained railroad. Most of it runs through a swamp, and the line has received no major maintenance in over 50 years. In fact, a few shovels full of ballast is about the only sort of repair it has received. It’s been called the worst section of railroad in the country, something few would argue.

What’s really surprising is that they run trains down this roller coaster 5 days a week. Through the weeds and overhanging trees, the train crew must keep the train on the rails with positive thoughts. They will stop every so often and walk back along the train, making sure all the cars are still on the tracks. 150 derailments a year is the norm. Five MPH is the speed limit, and that may be a bit optimistic. So whats next for the Great Leaning Railroad? Actual repair is what. Pioneer Railcorp, an outfit with much deeper pockets than the Maumee purchased the line in December, 2012. They are in the process of repairing and extending the line. I’m sure that will disappoint the railfans that made the pilgrimage to see the Maumee, but I’m sure they’ll be happy knowing that the line is being saved.

PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE LOCOMOTIVES THAT LOOK TO BE ROCK CRAWLING PASS OVER THE WORST RAILROAD IN AMERICA –


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One thought on “Watch Locomotives Pass Over The Worst Railroad In America – Tracks Look Like Spaghetti!

  1. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    In the UK even though we are in dire financial straits this line would have either been maintained or replaced. An accident waiting to happen and I just hope the railroad owners can sleep soundly in their beds at night!

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