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New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad is a non-profit terminal switching railroad, owned by the City of New Orleans. It connects with six Class I railroads serving the city, and provides daily switching and haulage service. The railroad began operation in 1908 with the intention of giving the major railroads "uniform and impartial" access to the port of New Orleans. Today the line is managed by the Public Belt Railroad Commission, which also owns and maintains the Huey P. Long Bridge spanning the Mississippi River. Known among railfans for once rostering a small fleet of World War II era Baldwin switchers, today the NOPB operates EMD yard goats and Morrison Knudsen road switchers.
Public Belt engine terminal drawing / collection
Motive Power
New Orleans Public Belt #51
New Orleans, La / collection
New Orleans Public Belt #51
- builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
- model:S8
- type:B-B yard switcher
- built:May 1951
- series:61 produced 1950-54
- engine:Baldwin 606 (6 cyls, 800 hp)
- notes:
- 1 of 2 blt new for Public Belt
New Orleans Public Belt #102
New Orleans, La / Dec 1982 / collection
New Orleans Public Belt #102
- builder:Electro Motive Division
- model:SW1000
- type:B-B yard switcher
- built:Aug 1971
- series:118 produced 1966-72
- engine:EMD 645 (8 cyl, 1000hp)
- notes:
- 1 in set of 5 later sold
New Orleans, La / Jan 1979 / collection
New Orleans Public Belt #105
New Orleans, La / Dec 1982 / collection
New Orleans Public Belt #105
- builder:Electro Motive Division
- model:SW1000
- type:B-B yard switcher
- built:Aug 1971
- series:118 produced 1966-72
- engine:EMD 645 (8 cyl, 1000hp)
- notes:
- 1 in set of 5 later sold
New Orleans Public Belt #151
New Orleans, La / Dec 1982 / collection
New Orleans Public Belt #151
- builder:Electro Motive Division
- model:SW1500
- type:B-B yard switcher
- built:Aug 1971
- series:807 produced 1966-74
- engine:EMD 645 (12 cyl, 1500hp)
- notes:
- later renumbered #1501
New Orleans, La / Jan 1979 / collection
New Orleans, La / May 1987 / JCH
New Orleans Public Belt #2003
New Orleans, La / Aug 2007 / RWH
New Orleans Public Belt #2003
- builder:Morrison Knudsen
- model:MP200D
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1998, MK #1698-01
- series:5 produced
- engine:_________
- notes:
- rebuilt on GP35 or equivalent frame
leased from MPEX
New Orleans, La / Aug 2007 / RWH
New Orleans, La / Aug 2007 / RWH
Rolling Stock
New Orleans Public Belt #3145
50' boxcar / New Orleans, La / May 1987 / JCH
May 1987 / JCH
Locations
New Orleans Public Belt engine terminal
line drawing / collection
New Orleans Public Belt roundhouse
New Orleans, La / 2001 / JCH
service area lead / New Orleans, La / May 1987 / JCH
May 1987 / JCH
sanding tower / May 1987 / JCH
sanding area / May 1987 / JCH
Lagniappe
New Orleans, La / Dec 1982 / collection
NOPB 1982 timetable
NOPB crew instructions
Huey P. Long bridge postcard / collection
Links / Sources
- New Orleans Public Belt company website
- Wikipedia article for New Orleans Public Belt
- Diesel Shop roster for New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide - Fifth Edition (Kalmbach, 1996) 220