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Information About

Garden City Western Railway




The Garden City Western Railway, Inc. (GCW) has been in business since 1916, first owned by The Garden City Sugar and Land Company and then owned by the Garden City Coop, Inc., serving a regional agricultural market critical to both wheat and cattle.
The primary commodities include grain, frozen beef, fertilizer, farm implements, feed products and utility poles.
The GCW is located in southwest Kansas and totals 40 miles of operating railroad and interchanges with the BNSF.
On April 29, 1999, the Pioneer Rail Corporation purchased 100% of the stock of The Garden City Western Railway, Inc. (GCW) from the Garden City Coop, Inc. and immediately began operations. http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/GCW/gcw.html

History:

The Garden City Sugar and Land Company, at Garden City, Kansas, built a railroad known as the Garden City Western Railway, constructed during the year 1915. This railroad extends west from the Sugar Factory at Garden City in a northwesterly direction about fourteen miles through farm lands, held by the Garden City Sugar and Land Company. Road built to take care of products of Garden City Sugar and Land Company's holdings in land.

The Nebraska, Kansas and Southern Railway track was laid out 12.6 Mi. from Garden City and was never operational. The rail, fastenings and ties from this railroad were sold in 1915 at a Sherriff's auction to the Garden City Western Railway Company, a subsidiary of the Garden City Sugar and Land Company.

On 01SEP 1991 the Garden City Northern Railway (GCNR) merged with the Garden City Western Railway (GCWR) http://www.rrb.gov/bcd/bcd95-109.pdf

A GCW steam locomotive is currently on static display at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, located behind the Snack/Gift Shop and across the Drive-In Entrance/Kiosk.

Railroad Services Profile:

  • Miles of Track Operated: 45

  • Location of Offices: 708 North VFW Road; Garden City, KS 67846

  • West Line Stations Served:

  • o Garden City

o Leavitt
o Quinby
o Rodkey
o Lowe
o Ritchal
o Peterson
o Wolf
  • North Line Stations Served:

  • o Garden City

o Tennis
o Gano
o Friend
o Shallow Water
  • Railroad Type: Interline Carrier

  • Connecting Railroad:

  • o Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) at Garden City, KS

o Kansas and Oklahoma Railway (KO) at Shallow Water, KS

  • Days of Operations: 5 (Weekends as Needed)

  • Hours of Operation: 8 A.M./5 P.M.

  • Load Capacity of Track: 263,000 lbs. - Total Weight On Rail

  • Rail Car Yard and Storage Track Capacity: 600

  • Rail to Truck Transfer Facilities, team tracks, bulk loading/unloading, crossdock and recessed dock.

  • Empty Car Supply: Yes, PREX, ALAB, BNSF

  • Car Repair Service: Yes

  • http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/GCW/gcw.html