Briar Rose Central History
Briar Rose Central Railroad History & Construction
Once upon a time, late in the 19th century, there was a Swiss-American businessman who had made himself a little bit of a name and accumulated a little bit of money, not enough to be famous, but enough to be dangerous.
Discovery of Galactite in Urston
Via fast traveling rumors, he got wind of a recent discovery of Galactite in Urston, a small mining town up in the mountains of the Hinterland, an unincorporated territory in the Western part of the United States. Galactite was a newly discovered, highly corrosion resistant and ultra-hard substance. Its use was still in the highly experimental stages, but early successes promised that it might revolutionize the industrial world. (There were also rumors that some Hinterlanders added a pinch of ground Galactite into their wine and gained ever-lasting happiness. However, some reportedly added too much, and ended up delusional instead.) But I digress …
Settling in Thannville
The Swiss-American businessman, ready for fame and fortune, settled in Thannville, a small town on the Lower Lake’s shores just a few miles down from Urston, that reminded his wife of her time growing up in New Orleans. At the time, travel to Thannville was only possible via steamboat across Lower Lake, or alternatively via a grueling stagecoach trip lasting several hours from New Schaffhausen in the Unterland, which was served by the East & West Railway and Navigation Company. Said company, however, deemed it not economical to build a railway connection to Thannville. Reportedly, neither were the esteemed and well cultivated New Schaffhausen citizens (an Opera house had just been built) keen on an undue and unwelcome influx of supposedly less civilized inhabitants of the Hinterland.
The Birth of the of the Briar Rose Central Railroad
This was about to change, once the Swiss-American businessman had settled in one of the old villas of Thannville. After swiftly completed renovations in the house to suit his and his wife’s tastes, an incorporation meeting was held on October 24, 1895 at which the Briar Rose Central Railroad Corporation was founded, and a charter for a railroad bearing that name established. The new line was intended to connect Thannville with New Schaffhausen, where it was to connect with the East & West Railway and Navigation Company. Once Thannville was reached, a branch line to Urston was to be constructed to allow Galactite ore (as well as whisky from a mountain distillery near Urston) to be conveniently transported to Thannville, from where it could be transported further via the lake or rail. The shareholders contributed the total sum of $5,000,000, a considerable portion of which was raised by the Swiss-American businessman himself, who was promptly and unanimously elected as its first President. The shareholders, in a bold move, way ahead of its time, also unanimously elected his wife to the position of “Creative Consultant”.
Planning the Route
The next several months were spent in determining the best route from New Schaffhausen. A number of constraints had to be overcome – such a relatively small curve radii and significant inclines, but management settled on a standard gauge road. Advantages over narrow gauge were that it would be more reliable to transport the Galactite ore on heavier rail, and the fact that there was more selection in suitable equipment available. Negotiations to acquire the necessary right of way took place in an overall friendly spirit, despite some significant constraints, and all necessary land right could be acquired. For a brief time, instead of building a railway from Urston to Thannville, the construction of a chute to transport the ore from the mine to the port in Thannville was considered, but the idea was quickly abandoned. It would have required the demolition of the existing entertainment venues along Tchoupitoulas Street, including the venerable Tipitina’s Jazz Club as well as Maison Isabelle, to which Thannville’s Mardi Gras committee was vehemently objected. Finally, to get a head-start, some clearing of the heavy thorny brushes (hence the name “Briar Rose” Central) along the right of way began during the winter of 1895/96.
Construction
Construction of the line started on March 26, 1896 and proceeded fast. Management and construction crew were determined to get trains running fast, and the inaugural journey from New Schaffhausen to Thannville took place on October 24, 1896, with only one derailment along the way. However, the line to Urston continues to be under construction, due to issues related to the installations of a bridge right before arrival at Urston. While most of the rail is installed, construction is currently halted.
Motive Power
The inaugural train was pulled by a 2-6-0 acquired second hand from the ATSF, which proved adequate for the task. Additional engines acquired in used, but excellent condition included an Alco 2-6-0 from Pennsylvania Railroad and a 2-6-0 from Southern Pacific. Also acquired were a new Baldwin 4-4-0 as well as a new Baldwin 4-6-0.
