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Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 127

The California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway

Location and General Description of Property

The railroad of The California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway Company, hereinafter called the California, Arizona and Santa Fe, is located in the States of California, Arizona, and Nevada. A portion of its main line extends from Beal, Calif., through Barstow to Mojave, Calif., and forms a part of the Santa Fe's through route to the Pacific coast. Another part of such through route is the short section from Richmond to Oakland, Calif., likewise owned by this company. The California, Arizona and Santa Fe is also the owner of the lines extending from Ash Fork, Ariz., to Phoenix, Ariz. ; A. & C. Junction, Ariz., to Cadiz, Calif.; and from Goffs, Calif., to Searchlight, Nev. ; as well as other short branch lines in California and Arizona.

Introductory

The California, Arizona and Santa Fe is a corporation of the State of California, having its principal office at Los Angeles, Calif. It is controlled by the Santa Fe, through ownership of the entire capital stock. On the other hand, the company itself controls, through ownership of all the capital stock except directors' shares, the Laton and Western Railroad, whose property is operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The property of the California, Arizona and Santa Fe has always been operated under lease by the Santa Fe.

Corporate History

The California, Arizona and Santa Fe was incorporated December 21, 1911, under the general laws of the State of California. The date of its organization was December 27, 1911. It was incorporated by the Santa Fe for the purpose of taking title to certain railroad properties in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Accordingly, it acquired at its organization the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, between Needles and Mojave, Calif., together with the railroad properties of 13 corporations, which were solely controlled by the Santa Fe. The company itself and the 13 corporations mentioned above, together with their predecessors, total 16 different corporations and comprise the line of corporate succession culminating in the company as at present constituted. The following chart shows the names of the corporations, the respective dates of incorporation, and for each predecessor the date of succession, the immediately succeeding corporation, and the manner of succession. Reference to each of these corporations is made in the last column by its respective number shown in the first column.

No. Name Incorporation Succession
1. The California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway Company. Under general laws of California, Dec. 21, 1911.
2.
Arizona and California Railway
Company.
Under general laws of Arizona, Sept. 10, 1903. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
3. Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company. Under general laws of California, Apr. 16, 1906. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
4. The California Eastern Railway Company. Under general laws of Colorado, Oct. 30, 1895. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
5. The
Nevada Southern Railway
Company.
Under general laws of Colorado, Dec. 15, 1892. Sold at foreclosure Oct. 16, 1895, after receivership begun Dec. 23, 1894. Acquired by 4, Apr. 17, 1896.
6. Fresno County Railway. Under general laws of California, July 25, 1905. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
7. Fullerton and Richfield Railway Company. Under general laws of California, Feb. 18, 1910. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
8. Kings River Railway Company. Under general laws of California, Oct. 21, 1909. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
9. Oakdale Western Railway Company. Under general laws of California, June 24, 1904. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
10.
Oakland and East Side Railroad
Company.
Under general laws of California, Mar. 6, 1902. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
11. California and Nevada Railroad Company. Under general laws of California, Mar. 25, 1884. Sold at foreclosure Nov. 29, 1902, after receivership begun May, 1896. Acquired by 10, Mar. 7, 1903.
12. Ferris & Lakeview Railway Company. Under general laws of California, Nov. 1, 1898. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
13. Randsburg Railway Company. Under general laws of Arizona, May 18, 1897. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
14. The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company. Under general laws of Arizona, May 27, 1891. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
15. Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company. Under general laws of Arizona, Sept. 14, 1897. Sold to 1, Dec. 28, 1911.
16. Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company. Under general laws of Arizona, Feb. 6, 1901. Sold to 1, Jan. 2, 1912.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The owned and operated mileage of the California, Arizona and Santa Fe, amounting to 827.006 miles, was all acquired by it through purchase on December 27, 1911, or within one week thereafter. The companies that constructed this mileage, the years in which the various portions of the line were constructed, and the dates on which the California, Arizona and Santa Fe purchased the property are indicated in the following table, wherein, to facilitate comparison with the table showing corporate succession, previously given, the same order of corporations is maintained.

[Mileage
subtotal
Mileage
Acquired by purchase:
From the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, Dec. 27, 1911, constructed by that company's predecessor of the same name, Needles to Mojave, Calif., 1882-1883. 241.58
From the Arizona and California Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company—
Arizona and California Junction to Salome, Ariz., 1904-1905. 50.03
Salome, Ariz., to east end of Colorado River bridge, 1904-1907. 56.81
East end of Colorado River bridge to Cadiz, Calif., 1907-1910. 83.43
190.27
From the Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Barnwell, Calif., to Searchlight, Nev., 1906-1907. 23.22
From The California Eastern Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911—
Constructed by that company, Barnwell to Ivanpah, Calif., 1901-1902. 15.77
Constructed by The Nevada Southern Railway Company, Goffs to Barnwell, Calif., 1892-1893. 29.44
45.21
From the Fresno County Railway, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Reedley to Wahtoke, Calif., 1905-1906. 6.27
From the Fullerton and Richfield Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Fullerton to Richfield, Calif., 1910. 5.10
From the Kings River Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Wahtoke to Piedra, Calif., 1910-1911. 10.70
From the Oakdale Western Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Riverbank to Oakdale, Calif., 1904-1906. 6.32
From the Oakland and East Side Railroad Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Richmond to Oakland, Calif., 1903-1904 (some graded roadbed used in this construction had been constructed by the California and Nevada Railroad Company during 1884 and 1885). 11.32
From the Perris & Lakeview Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Lakeview Junction to Lakeview, Calif., 1899. 8.03
From the Randsburg Railway Company, Dec. 28, 1911, constructed by that company, Kramer to Johannesburg, Calif., 1897-1898. 28.64
From The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company, Dec. 29, 1911—
Constructed by that company. Ash Fork to Prescott, Ariz., 1891-1893, Prescott to Phenix[sic], Ariz., 1893-1895. 198.20
Less mileage located between present mileposts 3.99 and 27.44, abandoned in 1902. 26.38
171.87
Milepost 3.99 to milepost 27.44, comprising the low-grade line known as the Hell Canyon cut-off, 1902. 23.45
195.32
From the Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company, Dec. 30, 1911, constructed by that company, Prescott & Eastern Junction to Mayor, Ariz., 1898. 26.40
From the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company, Jan. 2, 1912, constructed by that company—
Poland Junction to Poland, Ariz., 1901-1902. 7.95
Mayer to Crown King, Ariz., 1902-1904. 27.70
35.65
Total. 834.03
Less mileage from Leastalk to Ivanpah, Calif., abandoned in 1913, and remeasurements. 7.024
Mileage inventoried as of date of valuation. 827.006

The California, Arizona and Santa Fe constructed no new mileage, but constructed a double track over portions of the Mojave line.

Predecessor Companies

Arizona and California Railway Company

Introductory

The Arizona and California Railway Company was incorporated September 10, 1903, under the general laws of Arizona. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of the entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Arizona and California Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

Of the property owned, 106.84 miles of road extending from Arizona and California Junction, Ariz., to the east end of the Colorado River bridge, was always operated by The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company, as follows: For account of the operating company, as contractor building the road, from July 10, 1905, and June 17, 1907, the dates this mileage was placed in operation in sections, until February 1, 1909; for account of the owning company from February 1, 1909, to June 30, 1910; and under lease from July 1, 1910, until December 28, 1911, the date of sale of the property. The remaining 83.43 miles of road owned by the Arizona and California Railway Company extending from the east end of the Colorado River bridge to Cadiz, Calif., was operated under lease by the Santa Fe from July 1, 1910, the date this mileage was placed in operation, until the date of sale. The railroad owned on date of sale was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 190.27 miles and extending from Arizona and California Junction, Ariz., to Cadiz, Calif., all in the States of Arizona and California.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 190.27 miles of road was constructed by or for the company during the years from 1904 to 1910, inclusive. The construction work began in March, 1904, and the road was completed in sections on July 10, 1905, June 17, 1907, and July 1, 1910. The construction work performed prior to October 31, 1904, was carried on under the name of the Arizona and California Railway Company. Under a construction contract dated October 31, 1904, The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company took charge of the construction work then in progress, assumed all prior transactions relating thereto, and subsequently completed the construction of the road. The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company also made all additions and betterments to the property.

Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company

Introductory

The Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company was incorporated April 16, 1906, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of the entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was always operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 23.22 miles and extending from Barnwell, Calif., to Searchlight, Nev., all in the States of California and Nevada.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 23.22 miles of road was constructed for the company during the years 1906 and 1907. The construction began in May, 1906, and the road was opened for operation in April, 1907. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of the Barnwell & Searchlight Railway Company. In connection with the construction of this mileage, certain right of way was purchased from the Searchlight & Northern Railroad Company, a corporation that performed no construction.

The California Eastern Railway Company

Introductory

The California Eastern Railway Company was incorporated October 30, 1895, under the general laws of Colorado. It was controlled by the Santa Fe, through ownership of its entire capital stock from and after the year 1902. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that The California Eastern Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property of this company was operated by its own organization from January 20, 1896, when it took over the property of its predecessor, to June 30, 1902, and was operated under lease by the Santa Fe from July 1, 1902, to December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property. The railroad owned on date of sale was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 45.21 miles and extending from Goffs to Ivanpah, all in California.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 45.21 miles of road was acquired through purchase or construction, as indicated below.

Acquired by purchase from The Nevada Southern Railway Company on Apr. 17, 1896 (property taken over for operation on Jan. 20, 1896), Goffs to Barnwell, Calif. Recorded mileage 29.44
Acquired by construction, performed principally by company forces, during the years 1901 and 1902, Barnwell to Ivanpah, Calif. 15.77
Total. 45.21
The Nevada Southern Railway Company, Predecessor of The California Eastern Railway Company

The Nevada Southern Railway Company was incorporated December 15, 1892, under the general laws of Colorado. No records of this company have been obtained. Therefore no information can be given regarding its financial dealings, results of corporate operations, or investments. It has not been ascertained whether or not the company was controlled by any individual, association, or corporation, or, on the other hand, whether it controlled any other common carrier corporation on October 16, 1895, the date of sale of its property.

The property of this company was operated by its own organization from about September 15, 1893, when the construction was completed, to February 12, 1894. It was operated by a sheriff from February 13, 1894, to December 23, 1894, and by a receiver from the latter date until January 20, 1896, when the successor company began operating the property. The railroad owned on date of sale was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 29.44 miles, and extending from Goffs to Manvell (now Barnwell), all in California. This property had been constructed by or for The Nevada Southern Railway Company during the years 1892 and 1893.

Fresno County Railway

Introductory

The Fresno County Railway was incorporated July 25, 1905, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Fresno County Railway itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property of this company was operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 6.27 miles, and extending from Reedley to Wahtoke, all in California. This road was constructed for the company during the years 1905 and 1906. The construction was begun in September, 1905, and the road was placed in operation in August, 1906. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of the Fresno County Railway.

Fullerton and Richfield Railway Company

Introductory

The Fullerton and Richfield Railway Company was incorporated February 18, 1910, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Fullerton and Richfield Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard gauge steam railroad, aggregating 5.1 miles, and extending from Fullerton to Richfield, all in California. The road was constructed for the company during the year 1910. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of the company.

Kings River Railway Company

Introductory

The Kings River Railway Company was incorporated October 21, 1909, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Kings River Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 10.7 miles, and extending from Wahtoke to Piedra, all in California. The road was constructed for the company during the years 1910 and 1911. The road was placed in operation on March 18, 1911. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of this company.

Oakdale Western Railway Company

Introductory

The Oakdale Western Railway Company was incorporated June 24, 1904, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Oakdale Western Railway Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property, was a single-track standard- gauge steam railroad, aggregating 6.32 miles, and extending from Riverbank to Oakdale, all in California. This road was constructed for the company during the years 1904 and 1905. The road was placed in operation about January, 1905. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of this company.

Oakland and East Side Railroad Company

Introductory

The Oakland and East Side Railroad Company was incorporated March 6, 1902, under the general laws of California. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the Oakland and East Side Railroad Company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property, was a single-track standard- gauge steam railroad aggregating 11.32 miles, and extending from Richmond to Oakland, all in California.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 11.32 miles of road had been acquired through purchase and construction. On March 7, 1903, the company acquired by purchase the property, rights, and franchises formerly owned by the California and Nevada Railroad Company. The physical property consisted of 24.5 miles of graded narrow-gauge roadbed, comprising part of a railroad from which the track material had been removed, and extending from Oakland to San Pablo, and from Orinda Park to Bryant, all in California. About one half of the purchased right of way was sold by the company in exchange for other lands needed for terminal purposes at Oakland, Calif., a few more miles were abandoned, and the remainder was used in connection with constructing railroad mentioned below. The construction of the 11.32 miles of standard-gauge road from Richmond to Oakland, Calif., was begun in March, 1903, and the road was placed in operation on May 16, 1904. The construction work was performed by the Santa Fe for account of this company.

California and Nevada Railroad Company, Predecessor of the Oakland and East Side Railroad Company

The California and Nevada Railroad Company was incorporated March 25, 1884, under the general laws of California. No records of this company have been obtained. Therefore no information can be given regarding its financial dealings, results of corporate operations, or investments. It has not been ascertained whether or not the company was controlled by any individual, association, or corporation, or, on the other hand, whether it controlled any other common-carrier corporation on November 29, 1902, the date of sale of its property.

The property of tins company was operated by its own organization, or by a receiver, from about 1885, when the first section of road was constructed, until some undetermined date when operations were discontinued. The railroad owned on the date that operations were discontinued was a single-track narrow-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 24.5 miles, and extending from Oakland to San Pablo, and from Orinda Park to Bryant, all in California. Between the date that operations were discontinued and the date of sale, the track material and equipment were removed from the line. Therefore the property owned on the date of sale consisted of 24.5 miles of graded narrow-gauge roadbed. This property had been constructed by or for the company during the years 1884 and 1885 and the year 1891.

Perris & Lakeview Railway Company

Introductory

The Perris & Lakeview Railway Company was incorporated November 1, 1898, under the general laws of California. It was controlled, through ownership of its entire capital stock, by the Southern California Railway Company from the date of its organization until January 17, 1906, and by that company's successor, the Santa Fe, from the latter date to December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property. On the other hand, the records reviewed do not indicate that the Perris & Lakeview Railway Company itself controlled any other common-carrier corporation.

This company's property was only operated for occasional switching service, such operations being always conducted under implied lease by the Southern California Railway Company or that company's successor, the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on date of sale was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 8.03 miles, extending from Lakeview Junction to Lakeview, all in California.

This road was constructed during the year 1899. The construction work, except that donated by the L. P. Hansen Company, as mentioned hereinbelow, was performed by the Southern California Railway Company for account of the Perris & Lakeview Railway Company.

Randsburg Railway Company

Introductory

The Randsburg Railway Company was incorporated May 18, 1897, under the general laws of Arizona. No accounting records of this company for the period from its incorporation to 1903 have been obtained. Therefore only partial information can be given from the accounts regarding its financial dealings and investments. However, certain information for the period mentioned have been taken from available minute books, from the company's annual reports to us, and from other records. The company was controlled from and after May 1, 1903, by the Santa Fe, through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property of the company was operated by its own organization from January 17, 1898, the date the road was placed in operation, to April 30, 1903; and was operated under lease by the Santa Fe from May 1, 1903, to December 28, 1911, the date of sale of its property. The railroad owned on date of sale was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 28.64 miles and extending from Kramer to Johannesburg, all in California. This road was constructed during the years 1897 and 1898. The road was placed in operation on January 17, 1898. The construction work was performed under contract by the Union Construction Company, an affiliated company, whose president, C. M. Warner, then controlled the railway company.

The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company

Introductory

The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company was incorporated May 27, 1891, under the general laws of Arizona. It was controlled by the Santa Fe, through ownership of its entire capital stock from and after the year 1901. On the other hand, the company itself controlled the Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company through ownership of its entire capital stock, whose property it operated under lease.

The properties owned and leased by this company were always operated by its own organization. The railroad operated on December 29, 1911, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 364.21 miles, all located in Arizona. The owned mileage amounted to 195.32 miles and consisted of a line from Ash Fork to Phoenix, Ariz. The mileage operated under lease amounted to 168.89 miles and consisted of lines from Prescott & Eastern Junction to Crown King, Ariz., from Poland Junction to Poland, Ariz., and from Arizona and California Junction to the east end of the Colorado River bridge. The mileage operated under lease comprised the entire properties of the Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company and the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company and a portion of the property of the Arizona and California Railway Company.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The mileage owned on date of sale, amounting to 195.32 miles, was acquired through construction. The original line from Ash Fork to Phoenix, Ariz., aggregated 198.2 miles, and was constructed during the years 1891 to 1895. In 1902, 26.33 miles of this line was abandoned, and in its place there was constructed 23.45 miles of low-grade line known as the Hell Canyon cut-off. Further details with respect to the construction of the above mileage are given in the section on development of fixed physical property in the report on the California, Arizona and Santa Fe.

The construction of the original line was begun in 1891 by forces of The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company, and was nearing completion between Ash Fork and Prescott, Ariz., and was in progress from Prescott to Phoenix, Ariz., by March, 1893, when the construction work was taken over by the Western Construction Company.

Under a contract dated March 28, 1893, the Western Construction Company took over the construction work then in progress, assumed all prior transactions relating thereto, and practically completed the construction work on the entire line before March, 1895, when the contract was canceled. The construction work uncompleted in March, 1895, was subsequently performed by the railway company. The Western Construction Company was an affiliated company that bad been organized by capitalists who had previously advanced funds for the construction performed prior to date of the construction contract. The Hell Canyon cut-off line was constructed by the forces of the railway company.

Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company

Introductory

The Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company was incorporated September 14, 1897, under the general laws of Arizona. It was controlled, through ownership of the entire capital stock, by The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company which, in turn, was controlled by the Santa Fe. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the company itself did riot control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company. The railroad owned on December 30, 1911, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 26.4 miles and extending from Prescott & Eastern Junction to Mayer, all in Arizona.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 26.4 miles of road was constructed during the year 1898. The construction work began in March, 1898, and the road was completed and opened for operation on October 15, 1898. The construction work was performed partly by the forces of The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company, and partly by the forces of the Prescott & Eastern Railroad Company, with funds advanced by the former. All additions and betterments were made by The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company.

Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company

Introductory

The Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company was incorporated February 6, 1901, under the general laws of Arizona. It was controlled by the Santa Fe through ownership of its entire capital stock. On the other hand, the records reviewed indicate that the company itself did not control any other common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated under lease by The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe. The railroad owned on January 2, 1912, the date of sale of the property, was a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, aggregating 35.65 miles and extending from Poland Junction to Poland and from Mayer to Crown King, all in Arizona.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The 35.65 miles of road was constructed during the years from 1901 to 1904, inclusive. The construction work began in September, 1901, and the road was completed and opened for operation in sections from May, 1902, to May, 1904. The construction work performed prior to July 28, 1902, was carried on under the name of the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company. Under a construction contract dated July 28, 1902, The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company took charge of the construction work then in progress, assumed all prior transactions relating thereto, and subsequently completed the construction of the entire road. The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway Company also made all additions and betterments to the property.

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