Identify the Boxcar

[MJChittick]

anagram0

http://kspot.org/trove/img039b.jpg

http://kspot.org/trove/img039c.jpg

Links are "hot".

[anagram0]

Hi folks -- I have a similar mystery for you. Here is a "real photo" postcard from 1907-1917. I am trying to identify the exact location but there is little to go on. The structure appears to be built specifically to admit locomotives, possibly for purposes of building or repairing engines or boxcars. I also include a close-up of the business end of the boxcar on the left, where faint letters or numbers can be made out (?).

http://kspot.org/trove/img039b.jpg

http://kspot.org/trove/img039c.jpg

Any help you can throw my way would be appreciated!

--KP

[samfp1943]

I tend to think after blowing up the photo of the boxcar ( It was an apparent automobile transport). Lettering on the side above the reporting maks show 'AUTOMOBILE" and the line is the M.L.&T. .

Found this site that details the History of the line:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Trains/ICC_valuations/Morgan%27s_Louisiana_and_Texas_Railroad_and_Steamship_Company

FTL:"...The railroad of Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad and Steamship Company, hereinafter referred to as Morgan's Louisiana and Texas, is a partly double-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, situated entirely within the State of Louisiana. The main line extends from Algiers, on the Mississippi River opposite New Orleans, to Lafayette, where it connects with the line of the Louisiana Western Railroad Company. It forms an important link in the through route of the Southern Pacific Company between New Orleans, La., and San Francisco, Calif. The principal branch lines extend from Lafayette to the Mississippi River opposite Baton Rouge, from Lafayette to Cheneyville, from Breaux Bridge to Port Barre, from Breaux Bridge to Cade, and from Thibodaux Junction to Napoleonville. There are a number of other branch lines of an average length of about 10 miles, which serve the numerous sugar plantations along parts of the line..."

And there is much more detail on the linked site!

[BaltACD]

My viewing of the reporting initials makes it look to be

'ML&L'

Initials do not ring any bells in my memory and Google doesn't bring up a listing.

[FlyingCrow]

Of course!     I saw the SP herald but the rpt marks were throwing me off.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[wjstix]

"Financier Charles Morgan, through his Morgan’s Louisiana & Texas Railroad and Steamship Co. (ML&T), purchased the H&TCR, including the Waco and Northwestern branch.

Both continued operations under their existing names."

http://www.highlandbaptist.org/bob/US-Texas%20Railroads.htm

IIRC Texas had a law that all railroads in Texas had to be headquartered in Texas, so big railroads like SP had Texas-based subsidiary companies that they used in Texas to satisfy the requirement. Except for the reporting marks on the equipment, it was basically still the "big" railroad. Kinda like how the Canadian National line that cuts thru northern Minnesota is officially the "Manitoba & Minnesota" (or something like that) even though it's really the CN.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

It's ML&T, Morgan's Louisiana & Texas; owned by and later absorbed into Texas & New Orleans and part of the Southern Pacific Lines.

[AltonFan]

My first guess was Minneapolis and St. Louis.  But what I thought was "St." turns out to be an ampersand ("&").

The herald looks to me like a Southern Pacific herald.  Beyond the initial "M" and the "&" in the side bracing, I can't come up with much more.

[FlyingCrow]

Much to my surprise, Jacksonville had a FORD plant at one time and, in fact, the building still stands.   Follow the link.     

Can anyone make out the reporting marks on the OB boxcar in the photo?

http://www.woodenshipsironmen.com/Ford.htm