railroad on a military base? - Model Railroader Magazine
Let's see.
United States Navy Construction Battalion Center (CBC/SEABEES) Port Hueneme, California.
Extensive rail system and rather unique, as part of the system serves the deep water commercial port of Port Hueneme.
Ventura County Railroad (VCY), Oxnard, California, operates on base to serve the commercial interest. As a matter of fact VCY is the base connection to the Union Pacific (Southern Pacific) in Oxnard.
CBC "Y"neme railroad entrance is on Channel Harbor Road and a block signal guards the VCY/CBC.The base use to have a yellow General Electric 65 tonner Center Cab, in Navy Yellow, with the number as I recall in the 65-000000 series.
Usually was run by civilian civil service personel, but Navy SEABEE ratings, especially Equipment Operators (EO's), would also run locomotives and act as trainmen.
Barksdale Air Force Base Louisiana/Bossier Air Force Base, Louisiana, had two (2) physically disconnected rail systems, the 1st, had a connection to the Louisiana Railway & Naviagation/Louisiana & Arkansas/Kansas City Southern Railroad connection, at the Bases' Main Gate (West Gate), U.S. Highway 71.
Served the main side of Base, supply and fuel depots. In later years, operated by a civilian civil service crew. Last locomotive used, was a General Electric 65 tonner, painted Air Force Blue, with Air Force White Star on cab.
Also had a fleet of DODX/U.S.Army Transportation Corps, silver rivited tank cars in use.
Back in the 1960's/early 1980's, SAC Simulators (Modified Passenger Cars) were on base also.
Operations ceased in the late 1980's and track is removed.
The Bossier Base, a base within a base at Barksdale's east reservation, had a connection with the Vicksburg,Shreveport & Pacific/ Yazoo & Mississippi Valley/Illinois Central/Illinois Central Gulf. (VS&P/Y&MV/IC/ICG).
Line was used for the huge munnitions storage area's. Trackage removed around same time as main side trackage. Right off, I don't recall, if a U.S. Army Switcher an or another U.S. Air Force Switcher was kept there and or if IC did switching.
The former Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant(LAAP) just east of the Barksdale Reservation, had a EXTENSIVE railroad system, to be exact over 65 miles and a major on post rail yard.
Usually had several U.S. Army General Electric Center Cabs, but not always. Extensive rolling stock and maintenance-of-way equipment.
Ammunition Plant and Railroad, was operated by a civilian contractor for the U.S. Army, last firm was Morton-Thiokal Corporation. Rail operation had well over 60 employee's and was for all purposes a A"Shortline" Operation.
Had two connections, one on North Side, the Louisiana & Arkansas/Kansas City Southern.
What was unique with this connection, is that there was a "At Grade Crossing" on a U.S. Interstate, I-20. That's right a at grade crossing, not a underpass and or overpass of the freeway. A very interesting operation into itself!
The South side connection, was at Doyline, Louisiana, with the Illinois Central.
Plant finally shut down, during the 1990's D.O.D. Base and Realingment Closurers of the early 1990's.
Reservation was "paper deeded" to the State of Louisiana Military Department, the Louisiana Army National Guard/Air National Guard around 10 years after closure and today is known as Camp Minden LANG/LAANG. Most trackage is still in place and some civilian concerns lease areas of Camp for civilian/quasi government manfacturing operations.
Railroad operations were operated for a while by the East Camden & Highland Railroad, but now operation is by WATCO.
The U.S. Army Lone Star Ammunition Plant had a extensive rail operation also and used GE Center Cabs. Closed around the time of LAAP. Connection was with the Louisiana & Arkansas/Kansas City Southern, at Karnack, Texas.
The Red River Army Depot/Long Horn Army Ammunition Plant, in Hooks, Texas also had a extensive rail operation. Had a connection with the Texas & Pacific and also the St. Louis Southwestern.
Used a variety of U.S. Army Locomotives and extensive rolling stock collection.
Just a few military reservations that had and or still have rail operations
