Pioneer and Fayette Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Pioneer and Fayette Railroad (PF) is a historic railroad that operated in Ohio
.
The P&F began operations in 1935 using abandoned Toledo and Western Railroad trackage between Pioneer
and Fayette, Ohio
. The P&F connected with the Wabash at Franklin Junction near Alvordton, Ohio
.
Motive power for the P&F was a Plymouth 25-ton model HL 4-wheel gasoline locomotive (builder plate #3835) built in 1936. The locomotive was first numbered 102 and later became number 10.
About 1943, the P&F was cut back to 0.5 miles of track at Franklin Junction and freight was trans-loaded onto P&F trucks for final delivery. The only industry actually located on the P&F was a small feed/grain facility, which also served as the railroad's engine maintenance shed, since both the "main track" and passing track ran through the building.
In 1986, grant money was obtained in an attempt to revitalize the P&F, which by then was out of service. The line was upgraded with new rails, ties and heavy ballast. Plymouth No. 10, was given a complete rebuild and re-engined with an 1985 Oldsmobile 98
engine.
It was intended that the P&F would become the unloading point for shipments of grain for a large hog farm located nearby, but apparently, rate divisions with the Norfolk Southern Railway
could not be worked out, leaving little or no traffic on the revitalized P&F.
The P&F was abandoned in 1992. Locomotive number 10 was sold in 1993 to Colasanti's Tropical Garden in Ruthven, Ontario
where it was re-lettered as the fictitious "Buckwheat & Durham Railroad" number 1. Around January 1996 it was sold to W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. for their grain facility at Kent Bridge, Ontario
.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
The P&F began operations in 1935 using abandoned Toledo and Western Railroad trackage between Pioneer
Pioneer, Ohio
Pioneer is a village in Williams County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,369 at the 2010 census.-History:Earliest recorded settlers of Pioneer were P.W. Norris and Owen McCarty , who were hired to clear James A. Rogers land in 1842-3. That land was section 17 of Williams County...
and Fayette, Ohio
Fayette, Ohio
Fayette is a village in Fulton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,340 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Fayette is located at ....
. The P&F connected with the Wabash at Franklin Junction near Alvordton, Ohio
Alvordton, Ohio
Alvordton is a former village in central Mill Creek Township, Williams County, Ohio, United States. The population was 305 at the 2000 census. In 2010, the U.S...
.
Motive power for the P&F was a Plymouth 25-ton model HL 4-wheel gasoline locomotive (builder plate #3835) built in 1936. The locomotive was first numbered 102 and later became number 10.
About 1943, the P&F was cut back to 0.5 miles of track at Franklin Junction and freight was trans-loaded onto P&F trucks for final delivery. The only industry actually located on the P&F was a small feed/grain facility, which also served as the railroad's engine maintenance shed, since both the "main track" and passing track ran through the building.
In 1986, grant money was obtained in an attempt to revitalize the P&F, which by then was out of service. The line was upgraded with new rails, ties and heavy ballast. Plymouth No. 10, was given a complete rebuild and re-engined with an 1985 Oldsmobile 98
Oldsmobile 98
The Oldsmobile 98 was a full-size automobile and the flagship model of the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The name first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II...
engine.
It was intended that the P&F would become the unloading point for shipments of grain for a large hog farm located nearby, but apparently, rate divisions with the Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
could not be worked out, leaving little or no traffic on the revitalized P&F.
The P&F was abandoned in 1992. Locomotive number 10 was sold in 1993 to Colasanti's Tropical Garden in Ruthven, Ontario
Ruthven, Ontario
Ruthven, Ontario is a hamlet of roughly 400 residents in the township of Kingsville, Ontario. It is located at the intersection of Essex County Roads 34 and 45, but recent developments have extended the community to Highway 3 and down southwards along CR 45 to meet with the community of Seacliff,...
where it was re-lettered as the fictitious "Buckwheat & Durham Railroad" number 1. Around January 1996 it was sold to W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. for their grain facility at Kent Bridge, Ontario
Kent Bridge, Ontario
Kent Bridge is a community in Ontario....
.