List Of Unused Railways
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This is a list of unused railways, comprising railways and rail infrastructure on which some construction work took place but which were never used for revenue traffic as intended:


Railways not operated

These are projects which failed completely, receiving no revenue traffic.


Australia

*
Queensland Railways Queensland Rail (QR) is a railway operator in Queensland, Australia. Owned by the Queensland Government, it operates local and long-distance passenger services, as well as owning and maintaining approximately 6,600 kilometres of track and relate ...
,
Cooktown to Laura Railway Queensland's railway construction commenced in 1864, with the turning of the first sod of the Main Line railway, Main Line by Lady Diamantina Bowen, the wife of Queensland's first Governor of Queensland, governor Sir George Bowen at Ipswich, Quee ...
Maytown Extension - line to Maytown goldfield, including Laura River Bridge, saw test train only 1888. The goldfield output was already failing.


Canada

;Newfoundland *
Newfoundland Railway The Newfoundland Railway operated on the island of Newfoundland from 1898 to 1988. With a total track length of , it was the longest narrow-gauge railway system in North America. Early construction ] In 1880, a committee of the Newfoundland Leg ...
- branch lines from Northern Bight to Terranceville and from Deer Lake to Bonne Bay were abandoned uncompleted at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. ;Nova Scotia * Blomidon Railway - began work to build a line from
Wolfville Wolfville is a Canadian town in the Annapolis Valley, Kings County, Nova Scotia, located about northwest of the provincial capital, Halifax. The town is home to Acadia University and Landmark East School. The town is a tourist destination du ...
to
Cape Split Cape Split is a headland located on the Bay of Fundy coast of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The Battle off Cape Split happened during the American Revolution. Cape Split is located in Kings County and is a continuation of the North Mo ...
in 1911, but ceased on the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. *
Chignecto Ship Railway The Chignecto Ship Railway is a historic Canadian portage railway located in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. With Canadian Confederation in 1867, a variety of canal-building projects were undertaken throughout the new country by the new federal gov ...
- a portage railway was begun across the
Isthmus of Chignecto The Isthmus of Chignecto is an isthmus bordering the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that connects the Nova Scotia peninsula with North America. The isthmus separates the waters of Chignecto Bay, a sub-basin of the Bay of Fun ...
in 1888, in lieu of a ship canal. Ships were to be pulled along it in cradles. The work was abandoned uncompleted in 1891. ;Ontario * Brockville and New York Bridge - this major project for a bridge over the
Saint Lawrence River The St. Lawrence River (french: Fleuve Saint-Laurent, ) is a large river in the middle latitudes of North America. Its headwaters begin flowing from Lake Ontario in a (roughly) northeasterly direction, into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, connectin ...
between
Brockville Brockville, formerly Elizabethtown, is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Although it is the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, it is politically Independent city, independent of the county. It i ...
and
Morristown, New York Morristown is a Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in St. Lawrence County, New York, St. Lawrence County, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 1,974 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Gouverneur Morris ...
, saw some construction in 1895-6, but little was achieved. *
Toronto Eastern Railway The Toronto Eastern Railway, or Toronto and Eastern Railway, is a noted "ghost railroad" in southern Ontario, Canada. It was part of William Mackenzie's ambitious plan to provide high-speed electric "interurban" service throughout the district ...
- construction began in 1910 for an electric railway from a connection with the
Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to: People * Scarborough (surname) * Earl of Scarbrough Places Australia * Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth * Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong * Scarborough, Queensland, sub ...
branch of the
Toronto and York Radial Railway The Toronto and York Radial Railway was a transit operator providing services to the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was a subsidiary of the Toronto Railway Company. The company was created by merging four Toronto-area interurban operatio ...
to
Bowmanville Bowmanville is a town of approximately 40,000 people located in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario, Clarington, Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately east of Toronto, and east of Oshawa along ...
and
Cobourg Cobourg ( ) is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto and east of Oshawa. It is the largest town in and seat of Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It is ...
.
Whitby Whitby is a seaside town, port and civil parish in the Scarborough borough of North Yorkshire, England. Situated on the east coast of Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby has a maritime, mineral and tourist heritage. Its East Clif ...
to Bowmanville was finished in 1913, but not opened.
Pickering Pickering may refer to: Places Antarctica * Pickering Nunataks, Alexander Island Australia * Pickering, South Australia, the original name (1872–1940) of the town of Wool Bay * Pickering Brook, Western Australia, Australia Canada * Pic ...
to Whitby was finished in 1923, then the whole project was abandoned in 1924 with only test trains having been run.


Eritrea

*
Eritrean Railway The Eritrean Railway is the only railway system in Eritrea. It was constructed between 1887 and 1932 during the Italian Eritrea colony and connects the port of Massawa with Asmara. Originally it also connected to Bishia. The line was partly damag ...
, Teseney Line - extension from Bishia to
Teseney Teseney ( ar, تسني, ti, ተሰነይ), also spelled Tessenei or Tesseney, is a market town in western Eritrea. It lies south-east of Kassala in Sudan, on the Gash River. The city was much fought over in the Eritrean War of Independence during ...
begun 1932 was never finished, although later projected to
Kassala Kassala ( ar, كسلا) is the capital of the state of Kassala in eastern Sudan. Its 2008 population was recorded to be 419,030. Built on the banks of the Gash River, it is a market town and is famous for its fruit gardens. Many of its inhabita ...
, Sudan in 1940 after that area was briefly occupied by the Italians.


France

* Chemin de Fer Grand-Central de France - Ligne transcévenole. Begun 1911 to connect
Le-Puy-en-Velay Le Puy-en-Velay (, literally ''Le Puy in Velay''; oc, Lo Puèi de Velai ) is the prefecture of the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France. Located near the river Loire, the city is famous for its cat ...
with
Lalevade-d'Ardèche Lalevade-d'Ardèche (; oc, La Levada d'Ardecha) is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France. It is the commune with the smallest area in the department. Economy In the 19th century, the commune was an active industrial center ...
, ROW completed minus tracks to Monastier-sur-Gazeille in 1939 when war broke out, formal abandonment 1941. *
Chemins de fer de la Corse Chemins de fer de la Corse ( co, Camini di Ferru di a Corsica) (CFC) is the name of the regional rail network serving the French island of Corsica. It is centred on the town of Ponte Leccia, from which three main lines radiate to Ajaccio, Bast ...
- see also: List of stations in Corsica ** Caldaniccia -
Propriano Propriano (; co, Prupià, ) is a commune in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. It is situated on the Valinco Gulf. Population Transport * Railway stations in Corsica - stillborn branch See also * Co ...
. **
Porto-Vecchio Porto-Vecchio (, ; it, Porto Vecchio or ; co, Portivechju or ) is a commune in the French department of Corse-du-Sud, on the island of Corsica. Porto-Vecchio is a medium-sized port city placed on a good harbor, the southernmost of the mars ...
-
Bonifacio Bonifacio may refer to: Places * Bonifacio, Corse-du-Sud, a town in Corsica, France * Strait of Bonifacio, separating Corsica from Sardinia * Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental, a municipality in the Philippines * Bonifacio Global City, a central bu ...
. *
Chemins de fer de l'Est The Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Est (CF de l'Est), often referred to simply as the Est company, was an early French railway company. The company was formed in 1853 by the merger of ''Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Strasbourg'', ope ...
- Col de Bussang Line had approximately 50% of an 8,287 m tunnel completed, work abandoned 1935. * Chemin de fer de Lyon à Genève - line from
Tenay Tenay () is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France. Geography The river Albarine flows southwest through the commune's eastern part, crosses the village, then flows northwest. Population See also *Communes of the Ain department ...
to
Hauteville-Lompnes Hauteville-Lompnes () is a former commune in the Ain department in eastern France. On 1 January 2019, it was merged into the new commune of Plateau d'Hauteville. History The commune was formed in 1942 by the union of Hauteville and Lompnes. ...
Begun 1909, ROW almost completed, rails partially laid, inauguration train only when abandoned owing to lack of funds 1936. *
Chemins de fer du Midi The Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi (. CF du Midi), also known in English as the Midi or Southern Railway, was an early French railway company which operated a network of routes in the southwest of the country, chiefly in the area between ...
: ** Line from
Beaumont-de-Lomagne Beaumont-de-Lomagne (; Languedocien: ''Bèumont de Lomanha'') is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region in southern France. Geography The river Gimone runs through the town. History Beaumont-de-Lomagne, bastide, was ...
to
Gimont Gimont (; ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Gers Departments of France, department in southwestern France. It is about west of Toulouse. It is the seat (capital) of the canton of Gimone-Arrats. Geography The commune is bordered by se ...
was begun in 1904, but work stopped just before completion in 1930 and it was never operated. ** Line from
Foix Foix (; oc, Fois ; ca, Foix ) is a commune, the former capital of the County of Foix. It is the capital of the department of Ariège as it is the seat of the Préfecture of that department. Foix is located in the Occitanie region of southwe ...
to
Quillan Quillan (; Languedocien: ''Quilhan'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. On 1 January 2016, the former commune of Brenac was merged into Quillan.Gare de Saint-Paul-Saint-Antoine south of Foix. Work began in 1922 on the portion from there to Bélesta via
Lavelanet Lavelanet (; ''L'Avelhanet'' in the Languedocian dialect of Occitan) is a commune in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France. Population Its inhabitants are called ''Lavelanetiens.'' Tour de France In 2 ...
, but was abandoned uncompleted in 1926. The line on to Quillan was not started. ** Line from
Gabarret Gabarret (; oc, Gavarret) is a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. Population See also *Communes of the Landes department The following is a list of the 327 communes of the Landes department of Fr ...
to
Eauze Eauze (; Gascon: ''Eusa'') is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France. History Located in the heart of south-west France, 130 kilometers from the Spanish border, Eauze is originally a proto-Basque city that became Roman. It was t ...
via
Castéra-Verduzan Castéra-Verduzan (; oc, Lo Casterar e Verdusan) is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of over ...
was abandoned when almost completed in 1934. ** Line from
Hagetmau Hagetmau () is a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. Sights * Population Personalities The sociologist Henri Lefebvre was born here in 1901. References See also *Communes of the Landes departmen ...
to Pau was begun in 1910, but work was abandoned in 1938. ** Line from Saint-Girons to
Oust The Oust (; br, Oud) is a river in Brittany, France, right tributary of the Vilaine. It is long. Its source is in the hills between Corlay and Quintin. It flows generally southeast, through the following ''départements'' and towns: * Côtes- ...
was begun in 1881 as part of a scheme to build a railway over the
Pyrenees The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to C ...
to
Lleida Lleida (, ; Spanish: Lérida ) is a city in the west of Catalonia, Spain. It is the capital city of the province of Lleida. Geographically, it is located in the Catalan Central Depression. It is also the capital city of the Segrià comarca, as ...
in Spain with a tunnel under the Port de Salau. Oust was intended as the customs post on the French side. The scheme received final approval in 1907, and the works to Oust completed in 1920. However, rails were only laid to Lacourt to serve a quarry by 1927. From Oust to the site of the tunnel's north portal no actual work was done, although land was purchased. The project was only completely abandoned in 1954. ** The line from
Auch Auch (; oc, label= Gascon, Aush ) is a commune in southwestern France. Located in the region of Occitanie, it is the capital of the Gers department. Auch is the historical capital of Gascony. Geography Localization Hydrography The Riv ...
to
Lannemezan Lannemezan (; Gascon Occitan ''Lanamesa'', "heath of the middle") is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department and the Occitanie region in south-western France. The inhabitants are called Lannemezanais. Lannemezan is the largest city in ...
was authorised following a government report of 1909 and is shown as a proposed line in a map of the lines of the Chemins de fer du Midi on the wall of the booking hall of the station Bordeaux-Saint-Jean. Constructed between the two world wars, the line was nearly complete in 1941 but was then declassified and abandoned. Three tunnels, the abutments of the viaduct of Larroque and some other bridges still remain. *
Chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée The Compagnie des chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée ("Railway Company of Paris to Lyon and the Mediterranean"), also known as the Chemins de fer Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée or simply PLM, established in 1857, was one of Fran ...
- line from
Chorges Chorges (; Vivaro-Alpine: ''Chorge'') is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It is close to Gap. The name ''Chorges'' derives from Latin ''Catorimagus'', itself coming from the Alpine tribe of the Caturiges in the an ...
to
Barcelonnette Barcelonnette (; oc, Barciloneta de Provença, also ; obsolete it, Barcellonetta) is a commune of France and a subprefecture in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It is located in the southern ...
was begun in 1909, but abandoned in 1935 despite major engineering works having been entered into. Stations at Le Sauze, Ubaye, Le Lauzet, Le Martinet, Revel-Méolans, Thuiles and Barcelonnette. The last-named town was one of few in France which never had a railway. Much of the route has been drowned by a reservoir. *
Chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans Chemin or Le Chemin may refer to: Arts and media * ''Le chemin'' (Emmanuel Moire album), 2013 album by French singer Emmanuel Moire * ''Le chemin'' (Kyo album), 2003 album by French band Kyo ** "Le Chemin" (song), title song from same-titled Kyo ...
- line from
Cahors Cahors (; oc, Caors ) is a commune in the western part of Southern France. It is the smallest prefecture among the 13 departments that constitute the Occitanie Region. The main city of the Lot department and the historical center of the Quer ...
to
Moissac Moissac () is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region in southern France. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Garonne and Tarn at the Canal de Garonne. Route nationale N113 was constructed through the ...
was under construction between 1879 and 1934, but never finished.


Greece

*
Kalambaka Kalabaka ( el, Καλαμπάκα, ''Kalabáka'', alternative transliterations are ''Kalambaka'' and ''Kalampaka'') is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was ...
-
Kozani Kozani ( el, Κοζάνη, ) is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani (regional unit), Kozani regional unit and of Western Macedonia. It is located in the western part of Macedonia (Greece), Macedonia, in the northern part of the Aliakmona ...
-
Veria Veria ( el, Βέροια or Βέρροια), officially transliterated Veroia, historically also spelled Berea or Berœa, is a city in Central Macedonia, in the geographic region of Macedonia, northern Greece, capital of the regional unit of I ...
line (197 km): normal gauge line begun 1927 and abandoned 1932. Completion of 63 km, partial completion of 48 km. Stations completed: Mourgani (demolished), Oxynia, Xiropotamos, Aghiofyllo, Karpero, Karvounis, Mikro, Kalochi, Mikroklisoura, Pasagefyri, Siatista (demolished), Xirolimni (demolished), Vatero (demolished), Asomata. 20 tunnels were completed. Work abandoned owing to 1930's crisis. *
Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area, and the capi ...
to Tsagezi Line - less than 5% of about 150 km completed, work abandoned owing to World War II (1940).


Ireland

* Bray and Enniskerry Railway - An electric railway was begun between
Bray, County Wicklow Bray ( ) is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about south of Dublin city centre on the east coast. It has a population of 32,600 making it the ninth largest urban area within Ireland (at the 2016 census). Bray is ...
and
Enniskerry Enniskerry (historically ''Annaskerry'', from ) is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. The population was 1,889 at the 2016 census. Location The village is situated on the Glencullen River in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains in the ea ...
in 1900, and almost completed before being abandoned in 1910.


Italy

Because much of the Italian railway network was promoted and paid for by government authority, the abandonment of uncompleted lines often had a political dimension. *
Emilia-Romagna egl, Emigliàn (man) egl, Emiglièna (woman) rgn, Rumagnòl (man) rgn, Rumagnòla (woman) it, Emiliano (man) it, Emiliana (woman) or it, Romagnolo (man) it, Romagnola (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title ...
: ** Ferrovia Modena–Pavullo -narrow gauge line begun 1914 and abandoned 1938. Stations built at
Serramazzoni Serramazzoni ( Serramazzonese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Modena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about west of Bologna and about southwest of Modena. Serramazzoni borders the following municipalities: Fior ...
and
Pavullo nel Frignano Pavullo nel Frignano ( Frignanese: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in the Modenese Apeninnes. It is home to the medieval Castle of Montecuccolo, birthplace of the 17th century condottiero Raimondo Mon ...
. Work stopped at the latter place, but the original intention was to go on to
Formigine Formigine ( Modenese: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. As of 2007, Formigine had an estimated population of 31,643. History Formigine originates from the foundation of its castle in 1201 by the Comune of ...
. ** Ferrovia Rolo-Mirandola - under construction from 1922 to 1935. Ran from
Rolo Rolo (pronounced /ˈrəʊləʊ/), referring to the roll-styled chocolates, is a brand of truncation (geometry), truncated cone-shaped or conical frustum-shaped chocolates with a caramel inside. First manufactured in Norwich, Norfolk in the United ...
to
Mirandola Mirandola ( Mirandolese: ) is a city and ''comune'' of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in the Province of Modena, northeast of the provincial capital by railway. History Mirandola originated as a Renaissance city-fortress. For four centuries it was ...
, with stations at
Novi di Modena Novi di Modena ( Novese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Modena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northwest of Bologna and about north of Modena in the Pianura Padana The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of th ...
,
Moglia Moglia ( Lower Mantovano: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Mantua in the Italian region Lombardy, located about southeast of Milan and about southeast of Mantua Mantua ( ; it, Mantova ; Lombard language, Lombard and la, ...
,
Concordia sulla Secchia Concordia sulla Secchia ( Concordiese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Modena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northwest of Bologna and about north of Modena. Concordia sulla Secchia borders the following ...
and
San Possidonio San Possidonio ( Mirandolese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Modena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northwest of Bologna and about northeast of Modena. San Possidonio borders the following municipalities: ...
. Part of the formation was taken for a new station at Mirandola in 1964. *
Friuli Friuli ( fur, Friûl, sl, Furlanija, german: Friaul) is an area of Northeast Italy with its own particular cultural and historical identity containing 1,000,000 Friulians. It comprises the major part of the autonomous region Friuli Venezia Giulia ...
: ** A small network of electric lines in progress between the world wars, but none of it was completed: *** Ferrovia Bertiolo-Palmanova-Savogna - line between
Bertiolo Bertiolo ( fur, Bertiûl) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about southwest of Udine. Bertiolo borders the following municipalities: Codr ...
and existing station at
Savogna d'Isonzo Savogna d'Isonzo ( sl, Sovodnje ob Soči; fur, Savogne di Gurize) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about southwest of Gorizia, on the border with Slovenia. The ...
. Stations: Talmassons, Castions di Strada (junction with Ferrovia Udine-Castions di Strada), Gonars,
Palmanova Palmanova ( fur, Palme) is a town and comune in northeast Italy. The town is an example of a star fort of the late Renaissance, built up by the Venetian Republic in 1593. The fortifications were included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as ...
(already open, proposed junction), Jalmicco-San Vito al Torre, Medea, Mariano-Romans and Farra-Gradisca Provesano. *** Ferrovia Teglio Veneto-Bertiolo-Udine - line between existing stations at
Teglio Veneto Teglio Veneto is a town in the Metropolitan City of Venice, Veneto, Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean ...
and
Udine Udine ( , ; fur, Udin; la, Utinum) is a city and ''comune'' in north-eastern Italy, in the middle of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps (''Alpi Carniche''). Its population was 100,514 in 2012, 176,000 with t ...
. Stations: Teglio-Suzzolins, Morsano al Tagliamento, Madrisio, Varmo-Rivignano, Bertiolo (junction with Ferrovia Bertiolo-Palmanova-Savogna), Sclaunicco, Pozzuolo del Friuli and Campoformido. *** Ferrovia Udine-Castions di Strada - line from
Udine Udine ( , ; fur, Udin; la, Utinum) is a city and ''comune'' in north-eastern Italy, in the middle of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps (''Alpi Carniche''). Its population was 100,514 in 2012, 176,000 with t ...
to
Castions di Strada Castions di Strada ( fur, Cjasteons di Strade) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about south of Udine. Geography Castions borders the following municipalities: Bic ...
. Stations: Pozzuolo del Friuli and Mortegliano. ** Ferrovia Cormons-Redipuglia - A freight bypass line for
Gorizia Gorizia (; sl, Gorica , colloquially 'old Gorizia' to distinguish it from Nova Gorica; fur, label= Standard Friulian, Gurize, fur, label= Southeastern Friulian, Guriza; vec, label= Bisiacco, Gorisia; german: Görz ; obsolete English ''Gorit ...
but a passenger service was intended from
Cormons Cormons or Cormòns ( sl, Krmin, german: Kremaun) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about west of Gorizia, on the border with Slovenia. Cormons borders the f ...
to Redipuglia, with stations at Mariano del Friuli and Gradisca Borgo Trevisan. Work began 1949, and was abandoned 1989. ** Ferrovia Udine-Majano - a line from
Udine Udine ( , ; fur, Udin; la, Utinum) is a city and ''comune'' in north-eastern Italy, in the middle of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps (''Alpi Carniche''). Its population was 100,514 in 2012, 176,000 with t ...
to
Majano Majano ( fur, Maian) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about northwest of Udine. Majano borders the following municipalities: Buja, Colloredo di Monte Albano, ...
, begun 1914 and abandoned 1932. Stations: Colugna-Rizzi, Feletto Umberto, Pagnacco, Fontanabona,
Colloredo di Monte Albano Colloredo di Monte Albano ( fur, Colorêt di Montalban) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italy, Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about northwest of Udine. History The Roman villa at Muris h ...
, Vendoglio, Treppo, Buja and Avilla-Santo Stefano. *
Piedmont it, Piemontese , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographics1_title2 ...
: ** Ferrovia Bivio Orba-Cantalupo-Felizzano - a suburban line for
Alessandria Alessandria (; pms, Lissandria ) is a city and ''comune'' in Piedmont, Italy, and the capital of the Province of Alessandria. The city is sited on the alluvial plain between the Tanaro and the Bormida rivers, about east of Turin. Alessandria ...
, begun 1939 from
Felizzano Felizzano (Flissan in Piemontese) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about southeast of Turin and about west of Alessandria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,405 ...
to Cantalupo and diverging to Bivio Orba and Alessandria Smistamento, abandoned unfinished 1966. *
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
: ** Cintura Nord - an attempt to provide Rome with a northern orbital railway, running from
Roma San Pietro railway station Roma San Pietro railway station ( it, Stazione di Roma San Pietro) is a major station serving the city and ''comune'' of Rome, Italy. Opened in 1894, the station forms part of the Pisa–Livorno–Rome railway and the Rome–Capranica–Vite ...
to Roma Nomentana railway station. Work was in progress between 1913 and 1931. Stations were to have been at Prati di Castello, Ponte Milvio and Salario. *
Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...
: ** Ferriovia Bronte-Cuccovia - line from Bronte to an obscure location called Cuccovia. ** Ferrovia Caltanissetta-Misteci - an unfinished mineral branch of 5 km, from
Caltanissetta Caltanissetta (; scn, Nissa or ) is a ''comune'' in the central interior of Sicily, Italy, and the capital of the Province of Caltanissetta. Its inhabitants are called ''Nisseni''. In 2017, the city had a population of 62,797. It is the 14th l ...
south to Misteci, work abandoned 1927 when the mine was closed. ** Ferrovia Canicattì-Caltagirone - narrow gauge from Canicatti to
San Michele di Ganzaria San Michele di Ganzaria ( Sicilian: ''San Micheli di Ganzarìa'' aae, Shën Mikelli) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about southwest of C ...
to serve sulphur mines, work was done on the portion to
Riesi Riesi is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Caltanissetta in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about south of Caltanissetta. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 11,678 and an area of .All de ...
but from there to San Michele no construction was undertaken. Work had begun in 1906, and was only formally abandoned in the Fifties. ** Ferrovia Leonforte-Nicosia - a narrow gauge railway from
Leonforte Leonforte (''Liunforti'' in sicilian) is an Italian ''comune'' with a population of 14,046 in the Province of Enna, Sicily. The town is situated 22 km from Enna, in the centre of the Erean Mountains at 600 metres a.s.l. History The ancie ...
to the small cathedral city of
Nicosia Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaor ...
was under construction between 1921 and 1929, and was almost finished when abandoned. Station buildings exist for Bivio Paternò, Rocca Vutura, Villadoro, Sperlinga (request stop) and the terminus at Nicosia. ** Ferrovia Palermo-Salaparuta - a narrow gauge line from
Palermo Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
to
Salaparuta Salaparuta is a town and ''comune'' in South-Western Sicily, Italy, in the valley of the Belice river, administratively part of the province of Trapani. In 1968, the original site of the town was near the epicentre of the Belice Valley earthqua ...
via
Monreale Monreale (; ; Sicilian: ''Murriali'') is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, in Sicily, southern Italy. It is located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called ''"La Conca d'oro"'' (the Golde ...
, begun 1926 and effectively abandoned (although not officially) in the early Fifties. Construction work beyond
Camporeale Camporeale ( Sicilian: ''Campuriali'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about southwest of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,652 and an area of .All ...
did not begin. ** Ferrovia Salemi-Kaggera - narrow gauge from
Salemi Salemi is a town and ''comune'' in southwestern Sicily, Italy, administratively part of the province of Trapani. History Salemi is where Giuseppe Garibaldi announced the annexation of Sicily on May 14, 1860, as part of the Expedition of the Tho ...
to Kaggera (now known as
Calatafimi-Segesta Calatafimi-Segesta, commonly known as simply Calatafimi, is a small town in the province of Trapani, in Sicily, southern Italy. The full name of the municipality was created in 1997 and is meant to highlight the presence within its territory of th ...
with stations at Salemi-Città, Vita and Calatafimi-Città. Work abandoned 1921. ** Ferrovia Santo Stefano di Camastra-Reitano-Mistretta - a narrow gauge line begun from
Santo Stefano di Camastra Santo Stefano di Camastra ( Sicilian: ''Santu Stèfanu di Camastra'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 100 km east of Palermo and about 135 km west of Messina. ...
to
Mistretta Mistretta ( Sicilian: ''Mistritta'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about east of Palermo and about west of Messina. Mistretta borders the following municipalities: Capiz ...
via
Reitano Reitano ( Sicilian: ''Ritanu'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Messina in the Italian region of Sicily, about east of Palermo and about west of Messina. Reitano borders the following municipalities: Mistretta, Mo ...
. Construction took place in the 1920s.


Mexico

* Peninsular Railway of Lower California - the ''Mexican Land and Colonization Company'' was a British firm which obtained a concession to settle English wheat farmers in
Baja California Baja California (; 'Lower California'), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California), is a state in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 federal entities of Mex ...
, and which began the enterprise in 1891 with a base at
San Quintin San Quintín or San Quintin may refer to : Chile * San Quintín Glacier Mexico *San Quintín, Baja California ** San Quintín Volcanic Field Philippines *San Quintin, Abra *San Quintin, Pangasinan See also * Saint Quentin * Battle of St. Quentin ...
. Baja California is semi-desert, and the venture was a disaster. A network of railroads had been planned, and a start made on a line from San Quintin to Ensenada and
Tijuana Tijuana ( ,"Tijuana"
(US) and < ...
. of this was finished, ending at a place called San Ramón.


United Kingdom

*
Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway The Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway was a pre-grouping railway company in the English Midlands, built to serve the Leicestershire coalfield. Both the Midland Railway and the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) wished to build a line on simi ...
- Hinckley Branch. This railway was jointly owned by the rival
London and North Western Railway The London and North Western Railway (LNWR, L&NWR) was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. In the late 19th century, the L&NWR was the largest joint stock company in the United Kingdom. In 1923, it became a constituent of the Lo ...
and
Midland Railway The Midland Railway (MR) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844. The Midland was one of the largest railway companies in Britain in the early 20th century, and the largest employer in Derby, where it had its headquarters. It am ...
. The scheme included a line from to which was finished in 1872. The partners could not agree as to how to use it, so it never was. *
Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway The Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway was an English railway line promoted by the Great Western Railway to gain a route from its southern base towards the industrial centres of the West Midlands, and in due course the north-west. It overtoo ...
, Duddeston Junction Chord - Duddeston Viaduct was built 1846 to allow trains of the
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
to run into the station of the
London and North Western Railway The London and North Western Railway (LNWR, L&NWR) was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. In the late 19th century, the L&NWR was the largest joint stock company in the United Kingdom. In 1923, it became a constituent of the Lo ...
. The two companies were at enmity, so no such train ever ran. * Cleveland Extension Mineral Railway - started 1874, abandoned 1896. From Moorholme on the Cleveland Railway to ironworks at
Glaisdale Glaisdale is a village and civil parish in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England, within the North York Moors National Park. It lies at on the River Esk, between the villages of Lealholm and Egton Bridge, west of Whitby, and ...
. Nicknamed after its contractor, Paddy Waddell. *
Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway The Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway was a never-completed light railway linking Cromarty in the Black Isle, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland to the Highland Railway system at Conon. History Although the southern coast of the Black Isle had been ...
- started 1902, abandoned 1914 on outbreak of war. About six miles were completed at the Cromarty end by 1914. Rails laid were scavenged for the war effort. Improvements in road transport discouraged resumption. * East London Railway - Whitechapel to Bethnal Green goods line. Work on the tunnel for this began in 1866, but was abandoned for lack of funds. *
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
, Fishguard Ocean Port - new main line from
Letterston Letterston ( cy, Treletert) is a parish and local government community in north Pembrokeshire, Wales. Situated on the A40, Haverfordwest is to the south and Fishguard is to the north. The name is derived from the medieval owners of the par ...
to a proposed ocean liner port at . Authorised 1903, this portion begun 1912, abandoned 1914 on outbreak of First World War. The proposed harbour was too small for the larger liners being built after the war. *
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
, Windsor and Ascot Railway - from to Ascot, was begun in 1892 with the purchase and fencing of land and some minor works, but the rival
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
prevented a junction for through traffic and improved its own services. The GWR did not proceed with the scheme. * Lastingham and Rosedale Light Railway - began construction in 1902 but achieved little. * Horsham and Guildford Direct Railway, Itchingfield South Fork - the hope was that this railway from
Guildford Guildford () is a town in west Surrey, around southwest of central London. As of the 2011 census, the town has a population of about 77,000 and is the seat of the wider Borough of Guildford, which had around inhabitants in . The name "Guildf ...
to
Horsham Horsham is a market town on the upper reaches of the River Arun on the fringe of the Weald in West Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester. Nearby to ...
would be part of a
Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...
to
Brighton Brighton () is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze A ...
route. Hence a triangular junction was provided at
Itchingfield Itchingfield is a small village and civil parish in the Horsham district of West Sussex, England. It lies on the Barns Green to Broadbridge Heath road southwest of Horsham Horsham is a market town on the upper reaches of the River Arun on ...
to allow direct running to
Shoreham-by-Sea Shoreham-by-Sea (often shortened to Shoreham) is a coastal town and port in West Sussex, England. The town is bordered to its north by the South Downs, to its west by the Adur Valley and to its south by the River Adur and Shoreham Beach on the ...
, but the
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR; known also as the Brighton line, the Brighton Railway or the Brighton) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1846 to 1922. Its territory formed a rough triangle, with London at its ...
was only interested in providing a local service and the rails on the south fork were removed two years after opening, in 1867. * Latimer Road and Acton Railway - Construction began 1882 on a line from
Latimer Road station Latimer Road is a London Underground station in North Kensington, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines between Wood Lane and Ladbroke Grove stations and is in Travelcard Zone 2. Loca ...
on the
Metropolitan Railway The Metropolitan Railway (also known as the Met) was a passenger and goods railway that served London from 1863 to 1933, its main line heading north-west from the capital's financial heart in the City to what were to become the Middlesex su ...
in London to
Acton Acton may refer to: Places Antarctica * Mount Acton Australia * Acton, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra * Acton, Tasmania, a suburb of Burnie * Acton Park, Tasmania, a suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, formerly known as Acton Canada ...
. Works abandoned 1900. *
Liskeard and Caradon Railway The Liskeard and Caradon Railway was a mineral railway in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom, which opened in 1844. It was built to carry the ores of copper and tin, and also granite, from their sources on Caradon Hill down to Moorswater for onwar ...
- Work on an extension to
Launceston, Cornwall Launceston ( or , locally or , kw, Lannstevan; rarely spelled Lanson as a local abbreviation) is a town, ancient borough, and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is west of the middle stage of the River Tamar, which c ...
was begun in 1884, and remains of the abandoned works are easily traced near
Kilmar Tor Kilmar Tor (''Cornish: Kil Margh'') is an elongated hill, high and running from SW to NE, on Bodmin Moor in the county of Cornwall, England.Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 ''Explorer'' map series, No. 109 Its prominence of 118 metres qualifies it as a ...
. *
Leeds and York Railway The Leeds and York Railway was a proposed railway line, promoted in the mid 1840s, intended to connect York and Leeds. The line lost a significant promoter, the Manchester and Leeds Railway in 1845/6 as a result of a non-competition arrangemen ...
,
Tadcaster Tadcaster is a market town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England, east of the Great North Road, north-east of Leeds, and south-west of York. Its historical importance from Roman times onward was largely as the ...
to
Copmanthorpe Copmanthorpe () is a village and civil parish in the City of York in the English county of North Yorkshire, south-west of York, west of Bishopthorpe and close to Acaster Malbis, Askham Bryan and Askham Richard. According to the 2001 census the ...
Line - started 1846, abandoned 1849 (part subsequently used as a goods siding to a textile mill). The work included the so-called Virgin Viaduct. *
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR; known also as the Brighton line, the Brighton Railway or the Brighton) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1846 to 1922. Its territory formed a rough triangle, with London at its ...
,
Ouse Valley Railway The Ouse Valley Railway was to have been part of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR). It was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1864 and construction of the long line was begun, but not completed. It never opened to traffic. ...
- was started 1866 in order to defend territory from possible rival schemes. Work was abandoned 1867 after the threat had lifted. Proposed north of to via , with substantial remains between the first two places. *
London, Chatham and Dover Railway The London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR or LC&DR) was a railway company in south-eastern England created on 1 August 1859, when the East Kent Railway was given parliamentary approval to change its name. Its lines ran through London and nor ...
, London to Crystal Palace - the LCD relied on the
West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway The West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway (WELCPR) was an early railway company in south London between Crystal Palace station and Wandsworth, which was opened in 1856. The line was extended in 1858 to a station at Battersea Wharf near t ...
on creation in 1859, but built its own line to from Penge Junction near in 1861. The LCDR initially planned a competing service to so the junction was triangular, but the route was circuitous and so the north to south curve was never used. *
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent ceremonial counties of England, counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and He ...
, Edgware to
Bushey Heath Bushey is a town in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire in the East of England. It has a population of over 25,000 inhabitants. Bushey Heath is a large neighbourhood south east of Bushey on the boundary with the London Borough of Harrow re ...
- started 1938 work suspended 1940 and officially abandoned 1953. Extension of the
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent ceremonial counties of England, counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and He ...
Northern Line The Northern line is a London Underground line that runs from North London to South London. It is printed in black on the Tube map. The Northern line is unique on the Underground network in having two different routes through central London, two ...
with intermediate stations at
Brockley Hill Brockley Hill, Stanmore, is an area of high ground on the outskirts of North London, England. The hill, which rises to above sea level, is traversed by the A5 road. It follows the course of the Roman road known as Watling Street. The hill is ...
and Elstree South.. Earthworks between Edgware and Brockley Hill were nearly complete when abandoned. Work on tunnel at Elstree was partially built, carriage depot at Aldenham was built during World War 2 became a munitions factory and subsequently bus overhaul works. Between Edgware and Brockley Hill the area is now covered by housing development with little evidence of the railway. At Brockley Hill a few remains of the viaduct for the station still remain as at 2019. The tunnel entrance at Elstree has been filled in. The carriage depot at Aldenham has been demolished. *
Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway (M&GNJR) was a railway network in England, in the area connecting southern Lincolnshire, the Isle of Ely and north Norfolk. It developed from several local independent concerns and was incorporated i ...
, Sutton Bridge Dock - a ship dock with lock-gates at
Sutton Bridge Sutton Bridge is a village and civil parish in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire, England. It is situated on the A17 road, north from Wisbech and west from King's Lynn. The village includes a commercial dock on the west bank of t ...
was opened in 1881, served by a branch of the railway. It failed structurally as soon as it was filled. * Mistley, Thorpe and Walton Railway - proposed from on the
Great Eastern Railway The Great Eastern Railway (GER) was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia. The company was grouped into the London and North Eastern R ...
to , construction began 1863 and was abandoned 1869 with earthworks surviving. * Monnow Valley Railway - began work 1866 on a line from
Monmouth Monmouth ( , ; cy, Trefynwy meaning "town on the Monnow") is a town and community in Wales. It is situated where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, from the Wales–England border. Monmouth is northeast of Cardiff, and west of London. I ...
to , but only finished a tunnel at the former place. *
Neath and Brecon Railway The Dulas Valley Mineral Railway was incorporated in 1862 to bring coal from the Onllwyn area north-east of Neath to the quays there, and in the following year was reconstituted as the Neath and Brecon Railway. The line was opened as far as Onllw ...
, to Branch - earthworks and fence-lines are apparent along the Cilieni valley to the summit of the line at about 310m about sea level near the MOD simulated German village 'Cilieni' just south of Tirabad. This is over half the length of the line. The route would have had a major bridge over the River Usk and a tunnel just north of Sennybridge to gain access to the Cilieni valley and would have made Llangammarch Wells a junction with the Central Wales route of the
London and North Western Railway The London and North Western Railway (LNWR, L&NWR) was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. In the late 19th century, the L&NWR was the largest joint stock company in the United Kingdom. In 1923, it became a constituent of the Lo ...
. Work stopped on 9/9/1867 due to the bankruptcy of the contractor John Dickson who also built the N&BR. *
Newport Pagnell Railway Newport most commonly refers to: *Newport, Wales *Newport, Rhode Island, US Newport or New Port may also refer to: Places Asia * Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay Europe Ireland *Newport, County Mayo, a town on th ...
, Olney Extension - from to Olney of the to Newport Pagnell branch line. Work started in 1865 and stopped the following year, as many railway mania schemes did at this time when the bank financing these speculative schemes,
Overend, Gurney and Company Overend, Gurney & Company was a London wholesale discount bank, known as "the bankers' bank", which collapsed in 1866 owing about £11 million, equivalent to £ million in . The collapse of the institution triggered a banking panic. History Ear ...
, collapsed. Various partially complete cuttings and embankments can be seen along the line of route as far north as Emberton and are visible on old maps. Had the line been completed, Olney would have become a junction of the Northampton St Johns-Bedford line. * North Eastern Railway, Collywell Bay Branch Line - was an electrified railway finished in 1914, just in time for the First World War. It never saw a train. * Northern Counties Union Railway - 1846 began lines from Penrith to
Thirsk Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England known for its racecourse; quirky yarnbomber displays, and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby. History Archeological fin ...
and
Tebay Tebay is a village and civil parish in Cumbria, England, within the historic borders of Westmorland. It lies in the upper Lune Valley, at the head of the Lune Gorge. The parish had a population of 728 in the 2001 census, increasing to 776 at th ...
to
Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland () is a market town and civil parish at the confluence of the River Wear and the River Gaunless in County Durham, northern England. It is northwest of Darlington and southwest of Durham. Much of the town's early history surro ...
, crossing at
Kirkby Stephen Kirkby Stephen () is a market town and civil parish in Cumbria, North West England. Historically part of Westmorland, it lies on the A685, surrounded by sparsely populated hill country, about from the nearest larger towns: Kendal and Penrith. ...
. A line from
Bedale Bedale ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is north of Leeds, south-west of Middlesbrough and south-west of the county town of ...
on the former to Melverley railway station on the
Leeds and Thirsk Railway The Leeds Northern Railway (LNR), originally the Leeds and Thirsk Railway, was an English railway company that built and opened a line from Leeds to Stockton via Harrogate and Thirsk. In 1845 the Leeds and Thirsk Railway received permission for ...
was begun, with work underway between
Burneston Burneston is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton District, Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. According to the 2001 Census it had a population of 244, increasing to 311 at the 2011 Census. The village is close to the A1 roa ...
and Melverley. A cutting survives at
Sinderby Sinderby is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. Sinderby is located 223 miles (358.8 km) north of London and 48 miles (77.2 km) south of Durham, just east of the A1(M) motorway o ...
; south of this place, the route was later taken by the
Leeds Northern Railway The Leeds Northern Railway (LNR), originally the Leeds and Thirsk Railway, was an English railway company that built and opened a line from Leeds to Stockton via Harrogate and Thirsk. In 1845 the Leeds and Thirsk Railway received permission for ...
to
Northallerton Northallerton ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Vale of Mowbray and at the northern end of the Vale of York. It had a population of 16,832 in the 2011 census, an increase ...
. * North West Central Railway - begun 1890 as a trunk line from the
Midland Railway The Midland Railway (MR) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844. The Midland was one of the largest railway companies in Britain in the early 20th century, and the largest employer in Derby, where it had its headquarters. It am ...
and the
Queensbury lines The Queensbury lines was the name given to a number of railway lines in West Yorkshire, England, that linked Bradford, Halifax and Keighley via Queensbury. All the lines were either solely owned by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) or jointly ...
of the Great Northern Railway at to the
West Lancashire Railway The West Lancashire Railway (WLR) ran northeast from Southport to Preston in northwest England. History Construction was started by Samuel Swire the Mayor of Southport, on 19 April 1873. It opened on 15 September 1882. A branch was construct ...
at
Preston, Lancashire Preston () is a city on the north bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire, England. The city is the administrative centre of the county of Lancashire and the wider City of Preston local government district. Preston and its surrounding distri ...
via
Colne Colne () is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England. Located northeast of Nelson, north-east of Burnley, east of Preston and west of Leeds. The town should not be confused with the unrelated Colne Val ...
, with connections to
Southport Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England. Southport lies on the Irish ...
and, via the
Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway The Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway was formed in 1884, and totaled 7 miles. In 1897 it became part of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and on 1 May 1901, its northern terminus switched from to . It connected the West Lan ...
and the
Cheshire Lines Committee The Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) was formed in the 1860s and became the second-largest joint railway in Great Britain. The committee, which was often styled the Cheshire Lines Railway, operated of track in the then counties of Lancashire an ...
,
Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...
. Work was abandoned 1893. * Picc-Vic Line - an underground rapid transit railway was proposed for
Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
in 1971, connecting the main railway termini of and . Despite not being authorised, work was done on it under the
Arndale Centre Arndale Centres were the first "American style" malls to be built in the United Kingdom. In total, twenty three Arndales have been built in the United Kingdom, and three in Australia. The first opened in Jarrow, County Durham, in 1961, as a ped ...
before cancellation in 1977. * Portsmouth Direct Railway, Peasmarsh Curve - a main line chord was built from to Peasmarsh north of to allow services from
Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth is the most dens ...
to London via and the South Eastern Railway. The rival
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
took over the line, and the chord never saw a train. *
Reading, Guildford and Reigate Railway The South Eastern Railway (SER) was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1836 until 1922. The company was formed to construct a route from London to Dover. Branch lines were later opened to Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Canterbury ...
, Frimley Curve - opened 1849 by the South Eastern Railway, with an east to north spur at its crossing of the
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
main line to
Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
. This was to give a route from London to
Wokingham Wokingham is a market town in Berkshire, England, west of London, southeast of Reading, north of Camberley and west of Bracknell. History Wokingham means 'Wocca's people's home'. Wocca was apparently a Saxon chieftain who may als ...
, but the companies were hostile, the spur was never used and the LSWR built its own line to the town. *
Ruthin and Cerrig-y-Drudion Railway The Ruthin and Cerrig-y-Drudion Railway was a proposed narrow gauge railway that would have linked the towns of Ruthin and Cerrig-y-Drudion in Denbighshire, Wales. A bill was put before Parliament in 1873, promoting the railway, which was intend ...
- a 2' gauge railway partially built from Ruthin towards a junction with the never started
North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways The North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways (NWNGR) was a railway company that planned to build a number of inter-connected narrow-gauge railways across North Wales. The first two of these lines - jointly known as the "Moel Tryfan Undertaking" - were ...
Beddgelert-Corwen route at Cerrig-y-Drudion. The line crossed the Clocaenog Forest hills with a summit tunnel at Pennant before crossing the Afon Alwen and a second summit at about 340m following the B5105 into Cerrig-y-Drudion. There is evidence of construction along the south side of the Afon Clywedog valley between Rhewl and Bontuchel where work ceased on failure of the contractor 1884. * Seaforth and Sefton Junction Railway - authorised 1903 to provide a link between on the
Southport & Cheshire Lines Extension Railway The Southport & Cheshire Lines Extension Railway was an early British railway company operating in the then county of Lancashire. It was constructed to link the Cheshire Lines Committee railway at Aintree to Southport. It operated from 1884 to 19 ...
of the
Cheshire Lines Committee The Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) was formed in the 1860s and became the second-largest joint railway in Great Britain. The committee, which was often styled the Cheshire Lines Railway, operated of track in the then counties of Lancashire an ...
and the terminus of the
Liverpool Overhead Railway The Liverpool Overhead Railway (known locally as the Dockers' Umbrella or Ovee) was an overhead railway in Liverpool which operated along the Liverpool Docks and opened in 1893 with lightweight electric multiple units. The railway had a number ...
. The company never laid a rail, yet was one of the operating railway companies grouped into the
London, Midland and Scottish Railway The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSIt has been argued that the initials LMSR should be used to be consistent with LNER, GWR and SR. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway's corporate image used LMS, and this is what is generally u ...
by the
Railways Act 1921 The Railways Act 1921 (c. 55), also known as the Grouping Act, was an Act of Parliament enacted by the British government and intended to stem the losses being made by many of the country's 120 railway companies, by "grouping" them into four la ...
. The larger company showed no interest in further work. * Southern Railway, Chessington South to Leatherhead - started 1938, abandoned 1939. Extension of the Motspur Park to branch to . Work suspended due to outbreak of World War 2 and then abandoned due to Green Belt Act of 1947. Embankment built for about half mile south of Chessington South including one overbridge. Land purchased and the route fenced through Ashtead Common. Land reserved for the railway through Leatherhead was subsequently used for M25. Stations at Rushett and Leatherhead Common were intended. *
Trent Valley Railway The Trent Valley line is a railway line between Rugby and Stafford in England, forming part of the West Coast Main Line. It is named after the River Trent which it follows. The line was built to provide a direct route from London to North West E ...
, East to North Curve - built 1847 to allow direct trains from London to
Burton upon Trent Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a market town in the borough of East Staffordshire in the county of Staffordshire, England, close to the border with Derbyshire. In United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011, it had a ...
via the
Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway was a British railway company. From Birmingham it connected at Derby with the North Midland Railway and the Midland Counties Railway at what became known as the Tri Junct Station. It now forms part of ...
. The TVR went to the
London and North Western Railway The London and North Western Railway (LNWR, L&NWR) was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. In the late 19th century, the L&NWR was the largest joint stock company in the United Kingdom. In 1923, it became a constituent of the Lo ...
, the BDJR to the
Midland Railway The Midland Railway (MR) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844. The Midland was one of the largest railway companies in Britain in the early 20th century, and the largest employer in Derby, where it had its headquarters. It am ...
and their rivalry meant that the curve was never used. *
Waterloo and Whitehall Railway The Waterloo and Whitehall Railway was a proposed and partly constructed 19th century Rammell pneumatic railway in central London intended to run under the River Thames just upstream from Hungerford Bridge, running from Waterloo station to the ...
- a self-contained underground rapid transit line at London, under construction between 1865 and 1870. Trains were to be operated by the pneumatic system, that is, to be pushed by artificial air pressure. Money ran out when the tubes had already been constructed. *
Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway The Buckley Railway was opened from Buckley to a connection with the Chester to Holyhead main line on 7 June 1862, to convey coal and finished brickworks products from the Buckley area. Numerous short tramroads had existed in the area from the 1 ...
, Hope West to North Curve - built a north to west curve at in 1862 to give the town of
Mold A mold () or mould () is one of the structures certain fungus, fungi can form. The dust-like, colored appearance of molds is due to the formation of Spore#Fungi, spores containing Secondary metabolite#Fungal secondary metabolites, fungal seco ...
direct access to the port of
Connah's Quay Connah's Quay ( cy, Cei Connah), known locally as "The Quay" and formerly known as Wepre, is a town and community in Flintshire, lying within the Deeside conurbation along the River Dee, near the border with England. It is the largest town in F ...
. No rails were laid. *
Yorkshire Dales Railway The Yorkshire Dales Railway was a branch line linking the town of Skipton with the villages of Rylstone, Threshfield and Grassington in North Yorkshire, England. There were two stations on the line - Grassington & Threshfield and Rylstone - ...
- intended to go on to
Hawes Hawes is a market town and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England, at the head of Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, and historically in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The River Ure north of the town is a touri ...
.


United States

The railroad history of the United States is marked by many companies which began construction work but never completed any of it. For example, the
Panic of 1873 The Panic of 1873 was a financial crisis that triggered an economic depression in Europe and North America that lasted from 1873 to 1877 or 1879 in France and in Britain. In Britain, the Panic started two decades of stagnation known as the "Lon ...
interrupted the construction of a number of railroads, several of which were never resumed. The published evidence for these abortive railroads is poor, and available citations are often lacking.


Alabama

* Birmingham, Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad - it was on official record as an operating railroad only in 1901, so had laid some track. There would never be a direct line from
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
to Gadsden, the terminus of the
Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway The Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railroad was created through a reorganization of the Chattanooga Southern Railway in 1911. A few years later, in 1922, the line's name was changed to the Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway and was also kn ...
from
Chattanooga Chattanooga ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. Located along the Tennessee River bordering Georgia, it also extends into Marion County on its western end. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, ...
.Connelly, E.B: Railroad Operations 2002 Vol. 1 p. 103 * Florence Northern Railroad - began a line in 1890 from
Florence, Alabama Florence is a city in, and the county seat of, Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the state's northwestern corner. It is situated along the Tennessee River and is home to the University of North Alabama, the oldest college in the st ...
, to
Dover, Tennessee Dover is a city in and the county seat of Stewart County, Tennessee, west-northwest of Nashville on the Cumberland River. Fort Donelson National Cemetery is in Dover. The population was 1,442 at the 2000 census and the 2010 census showed a popu ...
, and graded 27 miles northwards from the former place. The route was just west of the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad The Louisville and Nashville Railroad , commonly called the L&N, was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1850, the road grew into one of the ...
. Another attempt was made by the Mineral Belt Railroad in 1906, which began work in 1917 and abandoned it in 1924. * Memphis Branch Railroad - began a narrow gauge line from
Rome, Georgia Rome is the largest city in and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia metropolitan area, Rome, Georgia, metropolitan statisti ...
, to Gadsden in 1873, but abandoned 1877 without having run a revenue service. Not to be confused with a progenitor of the Rome Railroad. * Mobile and Pensacola Railway and Navigation - began an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Volanta in
Fairhope Fairhope is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, located on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay. The 2020 Census lists the population of the city as 22,477. Fairhope is a principal city of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metropolita ...
to Lillian near
Pensacola, Florida Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 54,312. Pensacola is the principal ...
, in 1919. This would have linked to a ferry from
Mobile Mobile may refer to: Places * Mobile, Alabama, a U.S. port city * Mobile County, Alabama * Mobile, Arizona, a small town near Phoenix, U.S. * Mobile, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels * Mobile ( ...
. Work was abandoned in 1922.


Alaska

* Council City and Solomon River Railroad - attempted to build a line from a proposed port on the Solomon river estuary to Council City (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
). Begun 1903, abandoned unfinished 1907, and the locomotives and rolling stock were dumped in situ.


Arizona

* American-Mexican Pacific Railway - incorporated 1905 to build a 2000-mile (3200 km) system of trunk lines west from Phoenix to Los Angeles and San Diego, and south-east into Mexico via
Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...
,
Tucson , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...
and Nogales with a branch from Canoa south of Tucson to Naco. Began work on the line from Phoenix to Naco but opened nothing. Some of the routes were later occupied by
Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...
lines. * Arizona Narrow Gauge Railroad - began construction of a line from
Tucson , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...
to
Globe A globe is a spherical model of Earth, of some other celestial body, or of the celestial sphere. Globes serve purposes similar to maps, but unlike maps, they do not distort the surface that they portray except to scale it down. A model globe ...
in 1882, built 10 miles to Magee Road, graded another 20 miles, never operated despite re-incorporating as the Tucson, Globe and Northern Railroad in 1887.


Arkansas

* Kansas City, Bentonville and Southeastern Railroad - 1891 began construction from Bentonville northwards in the direction of
Neosho, Missouri Neosho (; originally or ) is the most populous city in Newton County, Missouri, Newton County, Missouri, United States, which it serves as the county seat. With a population of 12,590 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city i ...
, via
Pineville, Missouri Pineville is a city in and the county seat of McDonald County, Missouri, United States. The population was 791 at the 2010 census. History Pineville was originally named Maryville, and under the latter name was laid out in 1847. The name was c ...
, but the substantial grading never crossed the state line. * St Louis, Arkansas and Pacific Railroad - 1913 registered with the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad with of track. Never had revenue service. Was building its first segment from
Pontiac, Missouri Pontiac is a census-designated place in southern Ozark County, Missouri, United States. It lies six miles south of Isabella and 18.5 miles southwest of Gainesville, on the northeast shore of Bull Shoals Lake. A post office called Pontiac has bee ...
, to Fallsville via
Jasper Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases,Kostov, R. I. 2010. Review on the mineralogical systematics of jasper and related rocks. – Archaeometry Workshop, 7, 3, 209-213PDF/ref> ...
, with a branch from the latter to
Harrison Harrison may refer to: People * Harrison (name) * Harrison family of Virginia, United States Places In Australia: * Harrison, Australian Capital Territory, suburb in the Canberra district of Gungahlin In Canada: * Inukjuak, Quebec, or "Po ...
. Intended a trunk line from St Louis to
Paris, Texas Paris is a city and county seat of Lamar County, Texas, United States. Located in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods, the population of the city was 24,171 in 2020. History Present-day Lamar County was part of Red River Co ...
. * Yellville-Rush and Mineral Belt Railroad - began a
narrow-gauge A narrow-gauge railway (narrow-gauge railroad in the US) is a railway with a track gauge narrower than standard . Most narrow-gauge railways are between and . Since narrow-gauge railways are usually built with tighter curves, smaller structur ...
line from Yellville to
Rush Rush(es) may refer to: Places United States * Rush, Colorado * Rush, Kentucky * Rush, New York * Rush City, Minnesota * Rush Creek (Kishwaukee River tributary), Illinois * Rush Creek (Marin County, California), a stream * Rush Creek (Mono Cou ...
in 1915 but was unable to complete it.


California

* California Central Narrow Gauge Railway - began in
Solano County Solano County () is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 453,491. The county seat is Fairfield. Solano County comprises the Vallejo–Fairfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is ...
in 1873, to build from
Benicia Benicia ( , ) is a waterside city in Solano County, California, located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. It served as the capital of California for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population was 26,997 at the ...
to Tehama with an extension to
Red Bluff Red Bluff(s) may refer to several places in North America: Places Canada *Red Bluff, British Columbia, a community near Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada **Red Bluff First Nation, a First Nations band government headquartered near Quesnel, B ...
. A small amount of construction commenced but the project was abandoned in 1874. * Monterey and Fresno Railroad - was reported to the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad from 1897 to 1899, so had completed some track. Construction attempted from a pier at
Monterey Monterey (; es, Monterrey; Ohlone: ) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on the U.S. state of California's Central Coast. Founded on June 3, 1770, it functioned as the capital of Alta California under both ...
to
Fresno Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...
via Hollister. The pier was begun, and the line graded to Salinas. * Owens River Valley Electric Railway - from
Laws Law is a set of rules that are created and are law enforcement, enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. ...
on the
Carson and Colorado Railway The Carson and Colorado Railway was a U.S. narrow gauge railroad that ran from Mound House, Nevada, to Keeler, California below the Cerro Gordo Mines. It was incorporated on May 10, 1880 as the Carson and Colorado ''Railroad'', and constructio ...
to
Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
. The grade was finished in 1911, but no rails were laid.


Colorado

* Denver Railway and Telegraph Company built a narrow-gauge railroad to the
Lookout Mountain Lookout Mountain is a mountain ridge located at the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the southeastern Tennessee state line in Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain was the scene of the 18th-centu ...
from
Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
in 1890, but failed to complete or open it despite being listed as an operating railroad company by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
until 1898. * Plateau Valley Railroad - attempted in 1913 to build from the
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to ''Rio Grande'', D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow-gauge line running south from De ...
near Grand Junction to Collbran. The junction location on the DRGW is still called Yeckel Junction.


Connecticut

*
Danbury and Harlem Traction Company The Danbury and Harlem Traction Company was an unfinished electric rapid-transit interurban railroad connecting Danbury, Connecticut, with the New York Central Railroad station at Goldens Bridge, New York, on the Harlem Line. History The company ...
- spent ten years from 1901 to 1910 constructing an electric rapid-transit
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
railroad from
Danbury, Connecticut Danbury is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2022 was 87,642. It is the seventh largest city in Connecticut. Danbury is nicknamed the "Hat City ...
, to the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
station at
Goldens Bridge, New York Goldens Bridge is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 1,630 at the 2010 census. Goldens Bridge is in the western part of the town, adjacent to Inte ...
, on the
Harlem Line The Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line, originally chartered as the New York and Harlem Railroad, is an commuter rail line running north from New York City to Wassaic, in eastern Dutchess County. The lower from Grand Central Terminal to Southea ...
. Tracks were laid from a connection with the
Danbury and Bethel Street Railway The Danbury and Bethel Street Railway was a streetcar transit operator serving the greater Danbury, Connecticut, area, originally chartered in 1886. It was one of the few trolley companies to remain independent of the Connecticut Company consolida ...
near the Danbury Fairgrounds, west through Ridgebury and just across the state line to
North Salem, New York North Salem is a town in the northeastern section of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately 50 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. The population of North Salem was 5,104 at the 2010 cens ...
. Grading reached Goldens Bridge before the project was abandoned. * Ridgefield and New York Railroad - began 1867 to build a line from just east of
Port Chester, New York Port Chester is a administrative divisions of New York#Village, village in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and the largest part of the town of Rye (town), New York, Rye in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County by populat ...
, to Ridgefield. It was almost completely graded when the Panic of 1873 stopped work. The company survived, and was trying to finish and extend to
Danbury Danbury is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2022 was 87,642. It is the seventh largest city in Connecticut. Danbury is nicknamed the "Hat City ...
up to 1906 when the
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , commonly known as The Consolidated, or simply as the New Haven, was a railroad that operated in the New England region of the United States from 1872 to December 31, 1968. Founded by the merger of ...
bought it out to get rid of it.


Delaware

* Delaware Electric Traction - began 1900 on a line from
Smyrna Smyrna ( ; grc, Σμύρνη, Smýrnē, or , ) was a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to promi ...
via Leipsic to
Dover Dover () is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone ...
and
Milford Milford may refer to: Place names Canada * Milford (Annapolis), Nova Scotia * Milford (Halifax), Nova Scotia * Milford, Ontario England * Milford, Derbyshire * Milford, Devon, a place in Devon * Milford on Sea, Hampshire * Milford, Shro ...
with a branch to Woodland Beach. Abandoned when almost finished 1906, after having bought ten passenger cars for operation.


Georgia

* Gainesville and Dahlonega Railroad - began a narrow gauge line between Gainesville and
Dahlonega, Georgia The city of Dahlonega () is the county seat of Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242, and in 2018 the population was estimated to be 6,884. Dahlonega is located at the north end of ...
, in 1878, became the Gainesville and Dahlonega Electric Railway in 1905 and went bankrupt in 1909. Completed the line to the
Chattahoochee River The Chattahoochee River forms the southern half of the Alabama and Georgia border, as well as a portion of the Florida - Georgia border. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chatta ...
and left earthworks northwards, but never ran a public service.


Illinois

* Cairo and St Louis Railway - never finished any of its proposed
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric line from St Louis to
Cairo Cairo ( ; ar, القاهرة, al-Qāhirah, ) is the capital of Egypt and its largest city, home to 10 million people. It is also part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world and the Middle East: The Greater Cairo metro ...
, but electrified a branch of the
Illinois Central Railroad The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A line also co ...
from
Mounds A mound is an artificial heap or pile, especially of earth, rocks, or sand. Mound and Mounds may also refer to: Places * Mound, Louisiana, United States * Mound, Minnesota, United States * Mound, Texas, United States * Mound, West Virginia * Moun ...
to Mound City and connected it at the latter place with Cairo's little streetcar system, from 1910. * Chicago, Millington and Western Railroad - began in 1872 to build a
narrow-gauge A narrow-gauge railway (narrow-gauge railroad in the US) is a railway with a track gauge narrower than standard . Most narrow-gauge railways are between and . Since narrow-gauge railways are usually built with tighter curves, smaller structur ...
railroad from Chicago to
Muscatine, Iowa Muscatine ( ) is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 23,797 at the time of the 2020 census, an increase from 22,697 in 2000. The county seat of Muscatine County, it is located along the Mississippi River. The lo ...
, via Warrenville, Millington,
Princeton Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine ...
and Neponset. It finished 11 miles (18 km) in Chicago, from 22nd and Ashland along Blue Island Avenue and 26th Street before going bankrupt in 1877. The
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington Route, the Burlington, or as the Q, it operated extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illin ...
bought the line and scavenged most of the track, although about a mile became most of its Canalport loop. * Decatur and State Line Railway - 1869 began a line from Decatur to a connection with the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...
at Moneka east of Joliet, giving Decatur a direct route to Chicago. Claimed to have finished grading in 1872. Bridge piers are extant in the
Kankakee River The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately long, in the Central Corn Belt Plains of northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time, the river drained one of the largest wetlands in N ...
at
Kankakee River State Park Kankakee River State Park is an Illinois state park on primarily in Kankakee and Will Counties, Illinois, United States. Originally, of land was donated by Ethel Sturges Dummer for the creation of the state park in 1938. Another was donated ...
. * Evansville, Mount Carmel and Olney Electric Railway - began work on a line from
Mount Carmel Mount Carmel ( he, הַר הַכַּרְמֶל, Har haKarmel; ar, جبل الكرمل, Jabal al-Karmil), also known in Arabic as Mount Mar Elias ( ar, link=no, جبل مار إلياس, Jabal Mār Ilyās, lit=Mount Saint Elias/Elijah), is a c ...
to Olney via Lancaster in 1910. Proposed a line from Mount Carmel to
Evansville Evansville is a city in, and the county seat of, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, United States. The population was 118,414 at the 2020 census, making it the state's third-most populous city after Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, the largest city in S ...
.


Indiana

This state had a high number of
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric railway proposals, many of which began construction. * Covington and Southwestern Railroad - began 1909 to build an interurban from Covington to Crawfordsville, and finished most of the grading. Four miles (6.5 km) of track were laid at Kingman, and one trip ran for shareholders. One of the promoters then absconded with the company's funds. * Fort Wayne and Toledo Electric Railway - began 1909 to build an interurban from
Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...
to
Bryan, Ohio Bryan is a city in, and the county seat of, Williams County, Ohio, United States. It is located in the state's northwestern corner, southwest of Toledo. The population was 8,729 at the 2020 census. History Bryan was platted in 1840 by John ...
, to connect with the
Toledo and Indiana Railway The Toledo and Indiana Railway, Inc., was a combined electric interurban railroad and electric company that operated between Toledo, Ohio, and Bryan, Ohio, via Stryker, Ohio, from 1901 to 1939. History The Toledo & Indiana Railway, Inc., was inco ...
to
Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. A major Midwestern United States port city, Toledo is the fourth-most populous city in the state of Ohio, after Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and according ...
. Graded from Fort Wayne to
Harlan Harlan is a given name and a surname which may refer to: Surname *Bob Harlan (born 1936 Robert E. Harlan), American football executive *Bruce Harlan (1926–1959), American Olympic diver *Byron B. Harlan (1886–1949), American politician *Byron G ...
. * Indianapolis, Huntington, Columbia City and Northwestern Railway - began an interurban line 1907 from
Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
through
Marion Marion may refer to: People *Marion (given name) *Marion (surname) *Marion Silva Fernandes, Brazilian footballer known simply as "Marion" *Marion (singer), Filipino singer-songwriter and pianist Marion Aunor (born 1992) Places Antarctica * Mari ...
, Huntington, Columbia City and
Syracuse Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...
to Goshen. Grading was completed between Goshen and Syracuse. *
Madison and Indianapolis Railroad The Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad (JM&I) was formed in 1866 as a merger between the Indianapolis and Madison Railroad and the Jeffersonville Railroad. Genealogy The JM&I predecessors were as follows: *Jeffersonville, Madison ...
- had a very steep incline out of
Madison Madison may refer to: People * Madison (name), a given name and a surname * James Madison (1751–1836), fourth president of the United States Place names * Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital of Wisconsin and the largest city known by this ...
, and in 1852 began work on a better replacement line to the east. The company went bankrupt, and work ceased. Remains are in
Clifty Falls State Park Clifty Falls State Park is an Indiana state park on in Jefferson County, Indiana in the United States. It is northeast of Louisville, Kentucky. The park attracts about 370,000 visitors annually. On October 27, 1920, citizens of Madison, Ind ...
. * South Bend and Logansport Traction - began grading work in 1909 at
Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymouth ...
on an interurban line from
South Bend South Bend is a city in and the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total of 103,453 residents and is the fourt ...
to Logansport. * Terre Haute, Merom and Southwestern Traction - graded 15 miles (24 km) of an interurban line between
Terre Haute Terre Haute ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, about 5 miles east of the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a ...
and Merom by 1909, and laid two miles (3 km) of track. * Vincennes, West Baden and Louisville Traction - graded between
Vincennes Vincennes (, ) is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is next to but does not include the Château de Vincennes and Bois de Vincennes, which are attached ...
and Monroe City in 1909 on an interurban line to
Petersburg Petersburg, or Petersburgh, may refer to: Places Australia *Petersburg, former name of Peterborough, South Australia Canada * Petersburg, Ontario Russia *Saint Petersburg, sometimes referred to as Petersburg United States *Peterborg, U.S. Virg ...
,
Jasper Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases,Kostov, R. I. 2010. Review on the mineralogical systematics of jasper and related rocks. – Archaeometry Workshop, 7, 3, 209-213PDF/ref> ...
, West Baden and
Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...
. * Wabash and Rochester Electric Railway - graded between Wabash and
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
in 1906, and proposed to build to
Celina, Ohio Celina ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Ohio, United States about 58 miles northwest of Dayton, Ohio, Dayton. The population was 10,400 at the United States Census 2010, 2010 census. Celina is situated on the northwestern sh ...
, via Montpelier and
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...
.


Kansas

* Kansas Southern Electric Railroad - obtained the little Iola Electric Railway from Iola to La Harpe and set out to build from Iola to Girard via Chanute,
Erie Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 a ...
and Greenbush. Failed to complete. * Nebraska, Kansas and Southern Railroad - proposed a trunk line in 1907 from
Hastings, Nebraska Hastings is a List of cities in Nebraska, city and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, Adams County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 25,152 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is known as the town where Kool-Aid ...
, to
Amarillo, Texas Amarillo ( ; Spanish for "yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall County ...
, via
Stockton, Kansas Stockton is a city in and the county seat of Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,480. History 19th century Stockton was founded in 1872. A large share of the first settlers were cat ...
, and
Garden City, Kansas Garden City is a city in, and the county seat of, Finney County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 28,151. The city is home to Garden City Community College and the Lee Richa ...
, . Built from Garden City northeast to Ottograf, and graded from there to Churchill. These places don't exist anymore. Rails scavenged for the Garden City Western Railway in 1915. * Topeka, Westmoreland and Marysville Railroad - begun 1889, to run from
Topeka Topeka ( ; Kansa: ; iow, Dópikˀe, script=Latn or ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeast Kansas, in the Central Un ...
to Marysville and
Odell, Nebraska Odell is a village in Gage County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 260 at the 2020 census. History Before the southwest corner of Gage County was home to Odell, it was part of the Otoe Indian Reservation. Odell was laid out in 18 ...
, via Westmoreland. Built and was abandoned in 1893.


Louisiana

* Vicksburg, Alexandria and Southern Railroad - tried 1914 to build from the
St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (St. L., I. M. & S.), commonly known as the Iron Mountain, was an American railway company that operated from 1874 until 1917 when it was merged into the Missouri Pacific Railroad. History The Iro ...
at Camp Stafford near
Alexandria Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...
to Vidalia, and was listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad 1915-17 so had laid track. Grade at Alexandria was appropriated by the ''Tioga Gravel Company'' as a quarry spur.


Maryland

* Elkton and Middletown Railroad - 1895 attempt by the
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
to give its
Delmarva Peninsula The Delmarva Peninsula, or simply Delmarva, is a large peninsula and proposed state on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by the vast majority of the state of Delaware and parts of the Eastern Shore regions of Maryland and Virginia ...
lines better access from the Washington direction with a cut-off from Elkton to Middletown. The company had a monopoly on the peninsula, and decided that it couldn't be bothered to short-haul itself. Only a half-mile spur at Elkton was built.


Massachusetts

*
Hampden Railroad The Hampden Railroad (1910−1925) was an unused railroad built in central Massachusetts on behalf of the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) and New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (NYNH&H) and intended to be leased to the former. History Pur ...
- began 1910 on a line from the
Boston and Maine Railroad The Boston and Maine Railroad was a U.S. Class I railroad in northern New England. Originally chartered in 1835, it became part of what was the Pan Am Railways network in 1983 (most of which was purchased by CSX in 2022). At the end of 1970, B ...
at Bondsville and the
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , commonly known as The Consolidated, or simply as the New Haven, was a railroad that operated in the New England region of the United States from 1872 to December 31, 1968. Founded by the merger of ...
at
Springfield Springfield may refer to: * Springfield (toponym), the place name in general Places and locations Australia * Springfield, New South Wales (Central Coast) * Springfield, New South Wales (Snowy Monaro Regional Council) * Springfield, Queenslan ...
. It was completed, but never saw a train. *
Lancaster Railroad The Lancaster Railroad, also known as the Lancaster and Hudson Railroad, was a shortline railroad in Massachusetts. The line ran 8.75 miles from a connection with the Worcester, Nashua and Rochester Railroad, Worcester and Nashua Railroad in Sout ...
- completed 1872 from
Hudson Hudson may refer to: People * Hudson (given name) * Hudson (surname) * Henry Hudson, English explorer * Hudson (footballer, born 1986), Hudson Fernando Tobias de Carvalho, Brazilian football right-back * Hudson (footballer, born 1988), Hudso ...
to Lancaster to give the latter place a direct route to Boston. It never saw a revenue train. * Lee and New Haven Railroad - began 1872 to construct from the
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , commonly known as The Consolidated, or simply as the New Haven, was a railroad that operated in the New England region of the United States from 1872 to December 31, 1968. Founded by the merger of ...
at New Hartford to
Lee Lee may refer to: Name Given name * Lee (given name), a given name in English Surname * Chinese surnames romanized as Li or Lee: ** Li (surname 李) or Lee (Hanzi ), a common Chinese surname ** Li (surname 利) or Lee (Hanzi ), a Chinese ...
, via New Boston and
Otis Otis may refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Otis (Superman), in the films ''Superman'' and ''Superman II'' and related DC Comics media ** Otis Graves, in the TV series ''Supergirl'' * Otis (The Walking Dead), Otis (''The Walking Dead' ...
. Substantially complete when abandoned. A separate but affiliated company, the Lee and Hudson Railroad graded from Lee to West Stockbridge. *
Southern New England Railway The Southern New England Railway was a project of the Grand Trunk Railway (GT) to build a railroad from the GT-owned Central Vermont Railway at Palmer, Massachusetts south and east to the all-weather port of Providence, Rhode Island. Much grading ...
- this trunk line was to run from the
Central Vermont Railway The Central Vermont Railway was a railroad that operated in the U.S. states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, as well as the Canadian province of Quebec. It connected Montreal, Quebec, with New London, Connect ...
at
Palmer Palmer may refer to: People and fictional characters * Palmer (pilgrim), a medieval European pilgrim to the Holy Land * Palmer (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Palmer (surname), including a list of people and ...
to
Providence, Rhode Island Providence is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. One of the oldest cities in New England, it was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay ...
, in order to make the latter place an ice-free port for Canadian traffic in addition to the inadequate
New London, Connecticut New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States, located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut. It was one of the world's three busiest whaling ports for several decades ...
, where the CVR terminated. Construction was abandoned in 1914, leaving substantial remains.


Michigan

* Grand Rapids and Northwestern Railroad began 1908 to build a trunk line from
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
to a new car ferry port at Ludington to compete with the well-established one run by the
Pere Marquette Railway The Pere Marquette Railway operated in the Great Lakes region of the United States and southern parts of Ontario in Canada. It had trackage in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and the Canadian province of Ontario. Its primary connections in ...
. Car ferries would have sailed directly to
Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
, and the new road would have connected with the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
system at Grand Rapids. The defunct Mason and Oceana Railroad was bought to serve as a contractor's line, but only some grading was done. *
Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad The Iron Range & Huron Bay Railroad (IR&HB) is a defunct railroad constructed to haul iron ore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during the 1890s. Financial and engineering problems prevented the railroad's operation; it remains an unusual example o ...
- constructed a line from
Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, an ...
, near the Lake Michigamme ore fields, to a new ore dock on
Huron Bay Huron Bay is a long, narrow fjord long, located in Baraga County, Michigan, on the northern shore of the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan. The bay, oriented in a northeast-southwest direction, is bounded by the Huron Mountains on its eas ...
, part of Lake Huron. Finished in 1892, but never saw a revenue train.


Minnesota

* Little Falls and Southern Railroad - began 1894 to build from Little Falls to Albany, but ended up as a mile-long freight spur owned by the
Northern Pacific Railway The Northern Pacific Railway was a transcontinental railroad that operated across the northern tier of the western United States, from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. It was approved by Congress in 1864 and given nearly of land grants, whic ...
at the former place.


Missouri

* Lexington, Lake and Gulf Railroad - 1872 graded from Lexington to south of
Butler A butler is a person who works in a house serving and is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some a ...
via
Odessa Odesa (also spelled Odessa) is the third most populous city and municipality in Ukraine and a major seaport and transport hub located in the south-west of the country, on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. The city is also the administrativ ...
and Pleasant Hill. From Pleasant Hill to Butler the route was later used by the
Missouri Pacific Railroad The Missouri Pacific Railroad , commonly abbreviated as MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers. In 1967, the railroad ...
. The destination was to have been
Fort Scott, Kansas Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 7,552. It is named for Gen. Winfield Scott. The city is located south of Kansas City on the Marmaton ...
. * Missouri, Inland and Southern Railway 1909, Missouri, Arkansas and Gulf Railway 1911, Rolla, Ozark and Southern Railway 1914. The first graded from Rolla to
Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
via
Licking Licking is the action of passing the tongue over a surface, typically either to deposit saliva onto the surface, or to collect liquid, food or minerals onto the tongue for ingestion, or to communicate with other animals. Many animals both gro ...
, the second tried to go on to Willow Springs and the last tried to open only from Rolla to Anutt. Nothing was achieved.


New Jersey

* Caldwell Railroad - founded 1869 to build a line between Montclair and
Caldwell Caldwell may refer to: People * Caldwell (surname) * Caldwell (given name) * Caldwell First Nation, a federally recognized Indian band in southern Ontario, Canada Places Great Britain * Caldwell, Derbyshire, a hamlet * Caldwell, East ...
, and construction began in 1872. However, work ceased owing to the inability to complete a tunnel under Montclair and nearby
Verona Verona ( , ; vec, Verona or ) is a city on the Adige River in Veneto, Northern Italy, Italy, with 258,031 inhabitants. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the largest city Comune, municipality in the region and the ...
. About of the tunnel was left uncompleted. *
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
- Pennsylvania and Newark Railroad was a freight cutoff begun in 1907 from Morrisville, Pennsylvania, to
Colonia, New Jersey Colonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States.Trenton Cutoff The Trenton Cutoff (sometimes spelled Trenton Cut Off) is a rail corridor in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that runs from Morrisville to Glenloch. Today used by Norfolk Southern, it consists of two rail lines: the Morrisville Line, which runs ...
. Some work was done in the Trenton area, including bridge piers in the Delaware River. Construction suspended 1916. *
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
- Westville Cutoff was begun 1906 as a freight belt line for
Camden Camden may refer to: People * Camden (surname), a surname of English origin * Camden Joy (born 1964), American writer * Camden Toy (born 1957), American actor Places Australia * Camden, New South Wales * Camden, Rosehill, a heritage res ...
from Westville to West
Haddonfield :''Not the fictional Illinois town from the Halloween film series.'' Haddonfield is a borough located in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough had a total population of 11,593,
. This was substantially complete with some track laid when the PRR abandoned it to save money in 1908. * Trenton, Lakewoood and Seacoast Railway - began 1910 to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Point Pleasant to the
Hamilton Square Hamilton Square is a town square in Birkenhead, Wirral, England. This Georgian square, which was designed by Edinburgh architect James Gillespie Graham, has the most Grade I listed buildings outside London (after Trafalgar Square). It is named ...
line of the Trenton streetcar system, via
Lakewood Lakewood may refer to: Places Australia * Lakewood, Western Australia, an abandoned town in Western Australia Canada * Lakewood, Edmonton, Alberta * Lakewood Suburban Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Philippines * Lakewood, Zamboanga del S ...
, Imlaystown and
Allentown Allentown may refer to several places in the United States and topics related to them: * Allentown, California, now called Toadtown, California * Allentown, Georgia, a town in Wilkinson County * Allentown, Illinois, an unincorporated community in T ...
. Graded from Point Pleasant Traction terminus at Pine Bluff to Lakewood, and laid track to Brick Township. Never ran a train.


New Mexico

* Albuquerque Eastern Railway - began 1909 on a line from
Albuquerque Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...
through the
Tijeras Canyon Tijeras Canyon (sometimes also referred to as Tijeras Pass) is a prominent canyon in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It separates the Sandia Mountains subrange to the north from the Manzano Mountains subrange (specifically the lo ...
to Moriarty with a branch to coal mines at Hagan. Work was abandoned unfinished. Hagan did obtain a railroad, the Rio Grande Eastern Railroad, but that arrived from the north-west. * Northern New Mexico and Gulf Railroad - 1905 began construction between Española and Abiquiu. Proposed to the north-west corner of the state. * Santa Fe, Liberal and Englewood Railroad - promoted by mine owners at
Raton, New Mexico Raton ( ) is a city and the county seat of Colfax County, New Mexico, Colfax County in northeastern New Mexico. The city is located just south of Raton Pass. The city is also located about 6.5 miles south of the New Mexico–Colorado border and 85 ...
, 1907, to run from the Santa Fe, Raton and Des Moines Railroad at
Des Moines Des Moines () is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, ...
to
Woodward, Oklahoma Woodward is a city in and the county seat of Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the largest city in a nine-county area. The population was 11,975 at the United States Census. The area was historically occupied by the Kiowa, Coman ...
, via
Liberal, Kansas Liberal is the county seat of Seward County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 19,825. Liberal is home of Seward County Community College. History Early settler S. S. Rogers built the first house ...
, and
Englewood, Kansas Englewood is a city in Clark County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 58. History Englewood was founded in 1884. It was named after the city of Englewood, Illinois. The first post office in Englewood ...
. This was partly graded in 1907. In 1914, it had of track, and in 1920 it was abandoned.


New York

New York State is a hot-spot for unfinished railroads. * Brookfield Railroad - began 1888 to build a short line railroad between North Brookfield and
Brookfield, New York Brookfield is a town in Madison County, New York, United States. The population was 2,403 at the 2000 census. The Town of Brookfield is located in the southeastern part of the county. The county agricultural fair is held here every year. Histo ...
, but failed after grading the route. * Buffalo, Attica and Arcade Railroad - this predecessor of the
Arcade and Attica Railroad The Arcade & Attica Railroad is a shortline railroad that hauls freight between Arcade and North Java, New York. The railroad originally connected Arcade with Attica, however the right of way from North Java north to Attica was abandoned in 1957 ...
tried to build a line to Buffalo from Java Center in 1902, which was to be electrified. Work stopped when the
Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad The Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad was a railroad company that formerly operated in western and north central Pennsylvania and western New York. It was created in 1893 by the merger and consolidation of several smaller logging railroads. It o ...
bought out the company in 1904. * Buffalo Extension of the
Atlantic and Great Western Railroad The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad began as three separate railroads: the Erie and New York City Railroad based in Jamestown, New York; the Meadville Railroad based in Meadville, Pennsylvania (renamed A&GW in April 1858); and the Franklin an ...
- 1865 was building from
Randolph Randolph may refer to: Places In the United States * Randolph, Alabama, an unincorporated community * Randolph, Arizona, a populated place * Randolph, California, a village merged into the city of Brea * Randolph, Illinois, an unincorporated commun ...
to Buffalo but opened nothing. * Delaware Railroad - 1898 did some work on an electric line from
Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders w ...
to
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
with a branch to Bovina Center. The company still existed in 1903 -the name was as given, not ''Delaware Valley Railroad''. * Dunderberg Spiral Railway - an amusement railroad on
Dunderberg Mountain Dunderberg Mountain is a mountain on the west bank of the Hudson River at the southern end of the Hudson Highlands. It lies just above Jones Point, New York, within Bear Mountain State Park and the town of Stony Point in Rockland County, New Yo ...
, powered by gravity and abandoned unfinished in 1891. * Elizabethtown Terminal Railroad - finished grading a short line from Westport to Elizabethtown 1909, but never laid tracks. * Hudson Suspension Bridge and New England Railway - the ''Hudson Highland Suspension Bridge'' was a failed predecessor of the
Bear Mountain Bridge The Bear Mountain Bridge, ceremonially named the Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge, is a toll suspension bridge in New York State. It carries US 6 and US 202 across the Hudson River between Bear Mountain State Park in Orange Co ...
, begun in 1868 but major construction only after 1888. The main line was to have been from Harriman in the direction of
Danbury, Connecticut Danbury is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2022 was 87,642. It is the seventh largest city in Connecticut. Danbury is nicknamed the "Hat City ...
. Work on the pier foundations and a tunnel through
Bull Hill Bull Hill, also known as Mount Taurus, is a mountain north of the village of Cold Spring on the Hudson River in Putnam County in the State of New York. It is part of the river-straddling range known as the Hudson Highlands. The original name cam ...
was abandoned only in 1916. * Long Island Boynton Bicycle Railroad - after a successful demonstration under steam of the
Boynton Bicycle Railroad The Boynton Bicycle Railroad was a monorail in Brooklyn on Long Island, New York. It ran on a single load-bearing rail at ground level, but with a wooden overhead stabilising rail engaged by a pair of horizontally opposed wheels. The railway ...
monorail A monorail (from "mono", meaning "one", and "rail") is a railway in which the track consists of a single rail or a beam. Colloquially, the term "monorail" is often used to describe any form of elevated rail or people mover. More accurately, ...
system at
Coney Island Coney Island is a peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bounded by Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach to its east, L ...
, in 1894 a demonstration electric line was built between
Bellport Bellport is a village in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 2,084 at the 2010 census. The Incorporated Village of Bellport is named after the Bell family ...
and
East Patchogue East Patchogue (, ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 22,469 at the 2010 census. The CDP is a proximate representati ...
as the first section of a proposed suburban system on
Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...
. Nothing further was achieved. * Monticello, Fallsburg and White Lake Railroad - began 1900 to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from
Fallsburg Fallsburg is a town in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The town is in the eastern part of the county. The population was 14,192 at the 2020 census. (It is not to be confused with the hamlet of Fallsburg which bears a similar name and ...
to White Lake via
Monticello Monticello ( ) was the primary plantation of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, who began designing Monticello after inheriting land from his father at age 26. Located just outside Charlottesville, V ...
. Abandoned unfinished, after substantial grading and several bridges erected. * New York Richfield Springs and Cooperstown Railroad - 1883 graded a line from Fort Plain to
Richfield Springs Richfield Springs is a village located in the Town of Richfield, on the north-central border of Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from local sulfur springs. Geography The vi ...
but went bankrupt before laying track. *
Ogdensburg, Clayton and Rome Railroad Ogdensburg, Clayton and Rome Railroad was founded to compete with the Utica and Black River Railroad, Black River and Utica on April 7, 1853. Both railroads were to head from their respective cities north to Boonville. From there, the BR&U took th ...
- 1853 began work on a line from
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
to Ogdensburg closely parallel to, and to the west of, the Black River and Utica Railroad (BR&U). Work abandoned 1856, and substantial remains exist between Rome and south of
Carthage Carthage was the capital city of Ancient Carthage, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis in what is now Tunisia. Carthage was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean and one of the most affluent cities of the classi ...
. The BR&U tried to appropriate part of the grade through Talcottville by building from Utica, but failed as well. * Otselic Valley Railroad - began 1906 to build a short line from
Georgetown Station Georgetown or George Town may refer to: Places Africa *George, South Africa, formerly known as Georgetown *Janjanbureh, Gambia, formerly known as Georgetown * Georgetown, Ascension Island, main settlement of the British territory of Ascension Isl ...
to South Otselic. Almost complete when the promoter absconded. Land and fixtures auctioned 1912. * Panama Traction - took over the Warren County Traction line (not electrified) from
Youngsville, Pennsylvania Youngsville is a borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Warren County, Pennsylvania, Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,729 at the 2010 census. Geography Youngsville is located at (41.853460, -79.318614). According to ...
, to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, in 1916, intending to electrify and extend it via
Busti, New York Busti ( ) is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 7,521 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Paul Busti, an official of the Holland Land Company, but its pronunciation uses a long i sound at the end, a fr ...
, to Jamestown with a branch from Busti to Panama Rocks via the
Erie Railroad The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the northeastern United States, originally connecting New York City — more specifically Jersey City, New Jersey, where Erie's Pavonia Terminal, long demolished, used to stand — with Lake Erie ...
station at
Ashville Ashville or Asheville may refer to: Places United States * Ashville, Alabama * Ashville, Louisville, Kentucky * Ashville, New York * Asheville, North Carolina ** Asheville metropolitan area ** Asheville School ** Asheville High School ** Ashe ...
. Grading was carried out between the last two places. * Pennsylvania and Sodus Bay Railroad - most of this was graded, and only needed rails when abandoned 1873. It ran south from Seneca Falls, crossed the competing Geneva, Ithaca and Sayre Railroad (later the
Lehigh Valley Railroad The Lehigh Valley Railroad was a railroad built in the Northeastern United States to haul anthracite coal from the Coal Region in Pennsylvania. The railroad was authorized on April 21, 1846 for freight and transportation of passengers, goods, w ...
) at
Romulus Romulus () was the legendary foundation of Rome, founder and King of Rome, first king of Ancient Rome, Rome. Various traditions attribute the establishment of many of Rome's oldest legal, political, religious, and social institutions to Romulus ...
, then west of
Ithaca Ithaca most commonly refers to: *Homer's Ithaca, an island featured in Homer's ''Odyssey'' *Ithaca (island), an island in Greece, possibly Homer's Ithaca *Ithaca, New York, a city, and home of Cornell University and Ithaca College Ithaca, Ithaka ...
to
Van Etten Van Etten is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Chris Van Etten, American television writer * Hudson Van Etten (1874–1941), United States Navy sailor * Jane Van Etten (born 1871), American composer * Sharon Van Etten (born 1981) ...
. * Racquette River Railroad - associated with a predecessor
New York and Ottawa Railway The New York and Ottawa Railway was a railway connecting Tupper Lake in northeastern New York to Ottawa, Ontario, via Ramsayville, Russell, Embrun, Finch and Cornwall. It became part of the New York Central Railroad system in 1913, although it ...
, 1895 graded a line from Tupper Lake to Axton Landing to connect with the Adirondack Extension Railroad which was a proposed extension of the
Delaware and Hudson Railway The Delaware and Hudson Railway (D&H) is a railroad that operates in the Northeastern United States. In 1991, after more than 150 years as an independent railroad, the D&H was purchased by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). CP operates D&H ...
from North Creek to Malone, New York, Malone. This would have created a through route, but both roads failed. * Rochester and Eastern Rapid Railway - graded an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
spur line to Fairport, New York, Fairport in 1903, but did not lay rails. The town was served by the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad interurban, which had a more direct route to Rochester. * Rome and Osceola Railroad - 1908 began a line from
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
to Lewis, Lewis County, New York, Lewis, but work was abandoned 1924. * Sodus Bay, Corning and New York Railroad - 1870 began a line from Corning, New York, Corning to Sodus Bay. Graded between Savona, New York, Savona and Penn Yan, New York, Pen Yan. Attempts to use the grade were made by several companies, notably the Penn Yan, Lake Keuka and Southern Railroad 1900 and the Corning, Keuka Lake and Ontario Railroad which tried to revive the original scheme 1905, and which was still trying 1912. * Staten Island Tunnel - a subway line to Staten Island from Brooklyn was begun in 1923, and abandoned in 1925. * Utica and Syracuse Air Line Railway (U&SAL) - in 1881 the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Railway (BHT&W) consolidated a chain of railroads to try and create its own line to the
Erie Railroad The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the northeastern United States, originally connecting New York City — more specifically Jersey City, New Jersey, where Erie's Pavonia Terminal, long demolished, used to stand — with Lake Erie ...
from Rotterdam (town), New York, Rotterdam Junction. The company president was General William Lathrop Burt, so the project was nicknamed the ''Burt Line''. The consolidation was ruled illegal in 1883, and the BHT&W gave up. The U&SAL from Utica to Syracuse, New York, Syracuse was never finished, although earthworks survive in Oneida, New York, Oneida in between the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
and the West Shore Railroad.


North Carolina

* Coinjock Railroad - listed 1896-9 by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad, so had laid some track. This was between Snowden and Currituck, North Carolina, Currituck. * Raleigh and Western Railway - 1894 took over the Egypt Railway from Colon, North Carolina, Colon to Egypt (now Cumnock, North Carolina, Cumnock) and began a line to Asheboro, North Carolina. Fifteen miles (24 km) to Harpers were graded. Failed 1908, having completed nothing. The grade from Egypt to Gulf, North Carolina, Gulf was bought for use by the Sanford and Troy Railroad.


Ohio

* Cincinnati and Dayton Short Line Railroad - 1852 began a direct line between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, Dayton, via the Deer Creek Tunnel under Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Walnut Hills. The incomplete tunnel was abandoned 1855, although another attempt was made in 1872 by the Cincinnati Railway Tunnel Company. * Cincinnati Subway - the city of Cincinnati began the construction of an underground rapid transit line in 1916, but this was abandoned unfinished in 1929 after available funds ran out. * Cincinnati Western Railroad - began 1854 to build a line to New Castle, Ohio. Abandoned works are traceable near Cincinnati, including a tunnel under Villages at Roll Hill, Cincinnati, Roll Hill. * Clinton Air Line - chartered 1854 to build a line from New York to Omaha, based at Hudson, Ohio, Hudson. Grading was effected in places on the route in Ohio between Kinsman, Ohio, Kinsman via Hudson to Fostoria, Ohio, Fostoria through New London, Ohio, New London and Republic, Ohio, Republic.


Oklahoma

* Arkansas, Red River and Paris Railroad - listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
in 1908 as an operating railroad, so had laid some track on its first section. This was from Morris Ferry south of De Queen, Arkansas, on the Kansas City Southern Railway, to an existing ferry across the Red River of the South, Red River at Harris, Oklahoma. The intended destination was
Paris, Texas Paris is a city and county seat of Lamar County, Texas, United States. Located in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods, the population of the city was 24,171 in 2020. History Present-day Lamar County was part of Red River Co ...
. * Colorado, Texas and Mexico Railroad - 1910 was building from the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...
at Mangum, Oklahoma, Mangum to the Fort Worth and Denver Railway at Chillicothe, Texas. Intended to continue south through Abilene, Texas, to Eagle Pass, Texas in the first instance, but the wider idea was a north-south trunk line from Canada through the USA into Mexico and also to Corpus Christi, Texas. Completed 14 miles (22.5 km) but did not operate. Route north of Mangum to Woodward, Oklahoma, Woodward was taken by the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway. * Fort Smith, Arkoma and Wilburton Railroad - listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
in 1914-16 as an operating railroad with 334 yards (306 metres) of track. Proposed from Wilburton, Oklahoma, Wilburton via Arkoma, Oklahoma, Arkoma to Fort Smith, Arkansas. * Kansas City, Oklahoma and Houston Railroad - listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
in 1906-08 as an operating railroad, and so had laid some track. Proposed a direct trunk line from Kansas City and Houston. Was under construction between McAlester, Oklahoma, McAlester and Honey Grove, Texas.Moody's Manual of Railroads and Corporation Securities 1907 p. 1042 * Oklahoma and Cherokee Central Railroad - 1906 was building between Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Bartlesville and Pryor Creek, Oklahoma, Pryor Creek. Intended to go to Blackwell, Oklahoma, Blackwell. * Sallisaw, Mcalester and Southern Railway - began 1909, listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
in 1918-31 as an operating railroad, so had laid some track. However, never operated commercially. Was building from Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Sallisaw to McAlester, Oklahoma, McAlester, and hoped to use the abandoned works of the Kansas City, Oklahoma and Houston Railroad (see above) from there to Honey Grove, Texas. * Texas, Oklahoma and Northwestern Railroad - 1907 was grading between Weatherford, Oklahoma, Weatherford and Taloga, Oklahoma, Taloga on a line to Woodward, Oklahoma, Woodward. * Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway - Lawton Branch - 1910 was constructing a line between Devol, Oklahoma, Devol and Lawton, Oklahoma, Lawton which was never finished.


Oregon

* Summerville, Blue Mountain and Walla Walla Railroad - in 1901 had 26 miles (42 km) of grade for its line from Walla Walla, Washington, to Union, Oregon, Union via Summerville, Oregon, Summerville. * Union, Cove and Valley Railroad - graded its twelve mile (19 km) line from Union, Oregon, Union to Cove, Oregon, Cove in 1898.Never operated. * Union, Cornucopia and Eastern Railroad - began work 1898 on a line from Union, Oregon, Union to Seven Devils, Seven Devils, Idaho, via Cornucopia, Oregon, Cornucopia (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
).


Pennsylvania

* Allentown Railroad - 1855-7 almost finished grading between Allentown, Pennsylvania, Allentown to Port Clinton, Pennsylvania, Port Clinton via Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Kutztown and Virginville, Pennsylvania, Virginville, including a tunnel at Windsor Castle, Pennsylvania, Windsor Castle. * Broad Street Line - Downtown Loop - the Broad Street subway line in Philadelphia was to have had a downtown loop, which was aborted in 1915. An unused subway tunnel is under Arch Street. * Lancaster and Northern Railroad - listed 1913 by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad, having laid 4 miles (6.5 km) of track. Intended a line from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Lancaster to Millway on the Reading Company, Reading Railroad, giving a direct route to Reading, Pennsylvania, Reading. * Manatawny Railroad- 1913-16 listed by
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as having 11.2 miles not in operation (18 km). The line was to have been from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, Douglassville to Spangsville, but only laid a short isolated section of track at Woodchoppertown, Pennsylvania, Woodchoppertown. * Milford, Matamoras and New York Railroad - 1898 built the predecessor of the Mid-Delaware Bridge between Matamoras, Pennsylvania, Matamoras and Port Jervis, New York, and laid track across it to a rock quarry supplying roadbed. Intended to build to Milford, Pennsylvania, Milford but failed. This bridge replaced one built by the
Erie Railroad The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the northeastern United States, originally connecting New York City — more specifically Jersey City, New Jersey, where Erie's Pavonia Terminal, long demolished, used to stand — with Lake Erie ...
for the Milford and Matamoras Railroad in 1852 in a complex legal agreement, which had never been used until it fell down in 1870. * Path Valley Railroad - 1893 began a line from New Germantown, Pennsylvania, New Germantown to Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania, Fannettsburg, but was abandoned 1895 after failing to complete the Conococheague Mountain Tunnel. * Pennsylvania Petroleum Railway - 1872 was building between Tidioute, Pennsylvania, Tidioute and Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, Cambridge Springs via Titusville, Pennsylvania, Titusville. Grading was substantially complete between the last two places. Became Petroleum Railway of Pennsylvania by 1887, but opened nothing and was taken over by the Titusville, Cambridge and Lake Erie Railroad in that year (see below). * Pittsburgh, Binghamton and Eastern Railroad - 1906 began a trunk line between Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Clearfield and Binghamton, New York, running via Galeton, Pennsylvania, Galeton, Canton, Pennsylvania, Canton, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, Monroeton and Towanda, Pennsylvania, Towanda. Substantial work was done between Powell near Monroeton and Canton, also a little near Binghamton. Bankrupt 1908 and work abandoned. * Pittsburgh and Northeastern Railroad 1906-11. Chartered to build from Pittsburgh to South Bend, Pennsylvania, South Bend as a terminal road for the
Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad The Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad was a railroad company that formerly operated in western and north central Pennsylvania and western New York. It was created in 1893 by the merger and consolidation of several smaller logging railroads. It o ...
, Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad and Pittsburgh, Binghamton and Eastern Railroad to get to Pittsburgh. Became Pittsburgh & Northeastern Terminal 1911-16 and was listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad with 211 yards (193 metres) of track. Became Pittsburgh & Northern Terminal 1916-20 and was abandoned. * Reno, Oil Creek and Pithole Railroad - 1865 was building from Reno west of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Oil City to Pithole, Pennsylvania, Pithole (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
) via Rouseville, Pennsylvania, Rouseville and Plumer. The intention was to boost Reno and bypass Oil City. Only laid track between Rouseville and Plumer, went bankrupt in 1866 and was scrapped. * Selinsgrove and North Branch Railroad- 1874 graded a line from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Selinsgrove to Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, Mifflintown via McAlisterville, Pennsylvania, McAlisterville. * South Mountain Railroad - a project for a line from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg to Hamburg, Pennsylvania, Hamburg via Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Fredericksburg and Strausstown, Pennsylvania, Strausstown with a branch from Strausstown to Reading, Pennsylvania, Reading was extant from 1854 to 1912 but only Johnstown to Fredericksburg was finished 1872-7. No commercial operation. Intended as a link in a trunk route extending the South Pennsylvania Railroad to Boston. * South Pennsylvania Railroad - initiated 1863, major construction began 1881 but ceased 1885; many tunnels reused for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The route was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg to Port Perry, Pennsylvania, Port Perry via Bedford, Pennsylvania, Bedford and Somerset, Pennsylvania, Somerset. The southern tier of Pennsylvania never had a through railroad. * Titusville, Cambridge and Lake Erie Railroad - 1887 took over the abandoned grade of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Railway (see above) between Tidioute, Pennsylvania, Tidioute and Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, Cambridge Springs via Titusville, Pennsylvania, Titusville. Intended to build from Cambridge Springs to Erie, Pennsylvania, Erie, and from Enterprise (east of Titusville) through Pithole, Pennsylvania, Pithole to Brookville, Pennsylvania, Brookville. Took over the abandoned Pithole Valley Railroad, and graded from Enterprise to Pithole. Laid track between Titusville and Tannery, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) * Tuscarora Railroad - in 1898 this subsidiary of the Tuscarora Valley Railroad did substantial grading on an extension from Blairs Mills, Pennsylvania, Blairs Mills to McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, McConnellsburg.


South Dakota

* Forest City and Western Railroad - 1883 graded between Forest City, South Dakota, Forest City and Hoven, South Dakota, Hoven on its proposed line from the former place to Bowdle, South Dakota, Bowdle.South Dakota's Railroads, A Historic Context, South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office 2007 p. 77


Tennessee

* Genesis and Obed River Railroad - 1889 was grading from Genesis in Cumberland County, Tennessee, Cumberland County to Sunbright, Tennessee, Sunbright. A small private logging railroad at Genesis, with no connection to the public railroad system, appropriated the name from 1918 to 1929. * Holly Springs, Brownsville and Ohio Railroad - 1878 began a narrow-gauge line between Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Friendship, Tennessee, Friendship via Brownsville, Tennessee, Brownsville. Grading was done between the last two places, and 12 miles (19 km) of track laid from the latter. The intention was to build through Union City, Tennessee, Union City to opposite Cairo, Illinois, on the Ohio River. * Southern Railway (U.S.), Southern Railway - Stevenson Extension - this was a project to provide a new line from
Chattanooga Chattanooga ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. Located along the Tennessee River bordering Georgia, it also extends into Marion County on its western end. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, ...
to Stevenson, Alabama, which would bypass a section of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway on which the SR had trackage rights. Work began 1905, including a tunnel under Lookout Mountain, but was abandoned when substantially complete in 1907. This was a cost-cutting measure.


Texas

* Bridgeport and Decatur Railroad - 1891 was building a line from Decatur, Texas, Decatur to Bridgeport, Texas, Bridgeport. * Dallas, Pacific and Southeastern Railway - 1889 began a line from Dallas to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graded from Dallas to near Paradise, Texas, Paradise. Became Dallas and New Mexico Railway 1900 and ended up with the Gulf, Texas and Western Railway 1908, but no track was ever laid on the old grade. * Dallas Southwestern Traction - 1917 was building an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Dallas to Irving, Texas, Irving, Eagle Ford, Mansfield, Texas, Mansfield, Cleburne, Texas, Cleburne, Alvarado, Texas, Alvarado and Glen Rose, Texas, Glen Rose. * East Texas Traction - was grading an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
between Dallas and Greenville, Texas, Greenville via Garland, Texas, Garland and Rockwall, Texas, Rockwall between 1912 and bankruptcy in 1917. * Estacado and Gulf Railroad - began 1910 to build 10 miles (16 km) from McCaulley, Texas, McCaulley to Roby, Texas, Roby, hoping later to go on to El Paso, Texas, El Paso and the Gulf of California. Laid 5 miles (8 km) of track before failing. Track and dumped equipment were scavenged for the Roby and Northern Railroad, built 1915 on a different alignment. *Enid, Ochiltree and Western Railroad - 1909 began a line from Dalhart, Texas, Dalhart to Ochiltree (now a ghost town) in Ochiltree County, Texas, Ochiltree County via Dumas, Texas, Dumas. Graded between Dalhart and Dumas with 14 miles (22.5 km) of track laid. * Fort Worth and Albuquerque Railroad - 1889 was grading from Fort Worth, Texas, Fort Worth to around Jacksboro, Texas, Jacksboro. See Dallas, Pacific and Southeastern Railway, above. * Galveston, Brazos and Southwestern Railway - 1898 was under construction between Galveston, Texas, Galveston and San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio. 1900 was sued for work done on its roadbed, involving a bridge across the Chocolate Bayou, Texas, Chocolate Bayou. * Glen Rose and Walnut Springs Railroad - 1914 completed the grade of an electric interurban between Glen Rose, Texas, Glen Rose and Walnut Springs, Texas, Walnut Springs. Listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
in 1916 as an operating railroad, but as "no trackage" in the following year. * Gulf and Pacific Railway 1) - 1904 (only) listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad, so had laid some track. Was building a trunk line from Paris, Texas, Paris to Velasco, Texas, Velasco with branches from around Palestine, Texas, Palestine to Dallas and around Coldspring, Texas, Coldspring to Dayton, Texas, Dayton. * Gulf and Pacific Railway 2) - 1914 began a line from Sweetwater, Texas, Sweetwater to Comanche, Texas, Comanche. * Kansas City, Oklahoma and Houston Railroad of Texas - 1907 had graded north from Honey Grove, Texas, Honey Grove to the Red River as part of a trunk line project from Kansas City to Houston. * Mineola and Pittsburg Railroad - grading was in progress 1895 on this line between Mineola, Texas, Mineola and Pittsburg, Texas, Pittsburg. * Pan American Railway - began 1891 to build from Victoria, Texas, Victoria to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil but the Texas charter was to Brownsville, Texas, Brownsville. Completed a line of ten miles (16 km) to the Guadalupe River (Texas), Guadalupe River, then gave up because there was no money to build a bridge. No revenue traffic. Nothing to do with the Pan American Railway in Mexico. * Port Arthur and Houston Short Line - work was under way on this direct route between Houston and Port Arthur, Texas, Port Arthur in 1905. * Port O'Connor, Rio Grande and Northern Railroad - 1906 set out to develop Port O'Connor, Texas, Port O'Connor. Completed grading from there to Yoakum, Texas, Yoakum and work was done from the latter to Gonzalez, Texas, Gonzalez. Projected to San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio. * Rock Island, Texico-Farwell and Southern Railroad - listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
1912-16 as an operating railroad company with 3.17 miles (5.1 km) of track, but no revenue service. Proposed a line from Tucumcari, New Mexico, on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad to San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio via Farwell, Texas, Farwell. Graded 38 miles (61 km) south of Farwell. * San Antonio and Austin Interurban Railway - 1913 began constructing an electric interurban between San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio and Austin, Texas, Austin. Tried again in 1915. * San Antonio, Rockport and Mexican Railway - 1912 was building lines from San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio to new docks at Rockport, Texas, Rockport and to the Brownsville, Texas, Brownsville area, the junction being at Crowther near Tilden, Texas, Tilden. Graded to Matlock on the southern boundary of McMullen County, Texas, McMullen County. * San Marcos Valley Interurban Railway - 1905 began an interurban electric railway between San Marcos, Texas, San Marcos and Luling, Texas, Luling. * South Galveston and Gulf Shore Railroad - 1891 began a line from Galveston, Texas, Galveston along the island for 13.5 miles (21.5 km) to the new city of ''South Galveston''. Built 4.5 miles (7 km) before failing. South Galveston was wiped out by the 1900 Galveston hurricane, and the site is now the Galveston Island State Park. * Texas, New Mexico and Pacific Railway - 1905 began a line from McKinney, Texas, McKinney via Denton, Texas, Denton, Decatur, Texas, Decatur, Bridgeport, Texas, Bridgeport to Roswell, New Mexico. Would have taken over the grade of the Bridgeport and Decatur Railroad (see above). * Van Horn Valley Land and Railway - 1914 was building a line from Van Horn, Texas, Van Horn north to the New Mexico state line, around Pine Springs, Texas, Pine Springs.


Utah

* Salt Lake and Pacific Railroad - 1896 began a line between Salt Lake City and Gold Hill, Utah, Gold Hill via Saltair (Utah), Saltair, Tooele, Utah, Tooele, Stockton, Utah, Stockton and Dugway, Utah, Dugway. Graded between Saltair and Tooele. * Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and Central Pacific Railroad (CP) - parallel grades. The two companies building the First transcontinental railroad had not agreed their meeting place before the completion ceremony of the Golden spike at Promontory, Utah. As a result, they graded closely parallel lines between Monument eastwards towards Corinne, Utah, Corinne including the Big Fill (CP) and Big Trestle (UP) between Surbon and Blue Creek. Unused UP grade is extant continuously between Monument and Blue Creek, and portions of unused CP grade east of there. * Utah Central Railway Extension - the narrow gauge Utah Central Railway (1890-1897), which was nothing to do with the Utah Central Railroad (1869–1881), was building an extension from Park City, Utah, Park City eastwards to Moon's Mill 1890, and had laid track before it went bankrupt in 1893 and work was abandoned. Proposed to the Colorado state line, 17.5 miles (28 km) graded. * Utah and Wyoming Railway - 1881 began grading a line from Corinne, Utah, Corinne to Granger, Wyoming. * Wyoming, Salt Lake and California Railroad - 1890 graded between Evanston, Wyoming, and Park City, Utah, Park City


Vermont

* Burlington and Hinesburg Railroad - 1890 began a steam road from Burlington, Vermont, Burlington to Hinesburg, Vermont, Hinesburg. Was still incomplete in 1903, when it became the Burlington and Southeastern Railway. This proposed to electrify as an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
, and extend to Windsor, Vermont, Windsor. Abandoned 1905 with grading to Hinesburg completed and four miles (6.5 km) of track laid.


Virginia

* Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Quantico Line - the ''Georgetown Branch'' was the stub of a project for a line to Fairfax Station, Virginia, Fairfax Station and Quantico, Virginia, Quantico, begun 1892 and abandoned by 1910. * Manassas Gap Railroad, Independent Line - in 1854 this company began the construction of a line from Haymarket, Virginia, Haymarket to Alexandria, Virginia, Alexandria via Gainesville, Virginia, Gainesville, Chantilly, Virginia, Chantilly and Fairfax, Virginia, Fairfax so as to obtain access to the port independent of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The Civil War paused the work after 1858, which was abandoned as redundant when the two companies merged as the Orange, Alexandria and Manassas Railroad in 1867. Substantial earthworks survive. * Loudoun Branch of the Manassas Gap Railroad, Manassas Gap Railroad -Loudoun Branch - began 1851 as a line connecting the Manassas Gap Railroad near Manassas, Virginia, Manassas with Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Harpers Ferry and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Construction halted 1857, and no part was ever completed. Earthworks survive. * Virginia Railroad - 1897 was building from Sideburn east of Fairfax Station, Virginia, Fairfax Station to Fairfax, Virginia, Fairfax.


Washington State

* Big Bend Transit - listed 1910-14 by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as an operating railroad with 0.63 miles (1 km) of track. Attempted to build a line from Spokane, Washington, Spokane into the Spokane people, Spokane Indian Reservation. The destinations were to have been Fort Spokane and Davenport, Washington, Davenport. * Fidalgo City and Anacortes Railway - built an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
railway from Anacortes, Washington, to Fidalgo City (now Dewey, Skagit County, Washington, Dewey, Washington) and Dewey Beach (all on Fidalgo Island). Operation began March 29, 1891, and it was reported that cars made only one or two round trips and never ran the full length again. Apparently the line was built primarily to obtain a large land grant.


West Virginia

* Burning Springs Railroad - listed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to eliminat ...
as operating 1905-6, so had laid some track between Palestine, Wirt County, West Virginia, Palestine and Burning Springs, West Virginia, Burning Springs.


Wisconsin

* Bayfield, Lake Shore and Western Railroad - 1905 consolidated several tiny railroad companies operating around Bayfield, Wisconsin, Bayfield and began a line from Racket Creek to Superior, Wisconsin, Superior via Cornucopia, Wisconsin, Cornucopia. Only graded to the latter place, and laid some track. The railroad history of Bayfield is extremely complicated.


Changed plans leaving unfinished works

The following projects had their aims altered when under construction, with work in hand being abandoned as a result.


Australia

* Rail transport in New South Wales, New South Wales Railways - Bankstown railway line between Campsie, New South Wales, Campsie and Belmore, New South Wales, Belmore, earthworks for a triangle from Enfield, New South Wales, Enfield were built but never used due to change in plans. * Queensland Rail, Queensland Railways - Normanton–Croydon Railway. The original intended destination was Cloncurry.


Canada

* Hudson Bay Railway (1910), Hudson Bay Railway -the original terminus of Hudson Bay was to have been Port Nelson, Manitoba, and the line was graded to here in 1912. The terminus was changed to Churchill, Manitoba, Churchill instead in 1927, and the grade to Port Hudson abandoned. The railway's sharp change of direction at Amery, Manitoba, Amery is a reminder.


United Kingdom

* Louth to Bardney Line, Louth and Lincoln Railway - began 1866 on a direct line from Louth, Lincolnshire, Louth to Lincoln, England, Lincoln, reaching the latter place via a junction with the Great Northern Railway (Great Britain), Great Northern Railway at . The western terminus was changed to Bardney, with a junction facing away from Lincoln. This was to save some money, but the proposed Louth-Lincoln service was abandoned in favour of accessing iron ore deposits that proved uneconomic to exploit. *
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent ceremonial counties of England, counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and He ...
, Jubilee Line#1939 to 1979, the Fleet line, Fleet Line - A section of what is now called the Jubilee line between Charing Cross tube station, Charing Cross and Aldwych tube station, Aldwych was constructed with the first phase of the line in the 1970s along the planned route for phase 2 to the City of London. Phase 2 was cancelled and when the line was eventually extended, the route followed a more southerly route from Green Park tube station, Green Park. A short section of tunnel was also constructed to test construction techniques near New Cross railway station, New Cross on what would have been phase 3 of the Jubilee line; this has never been used. * Manchester and Milford Railway - The company changed its northern terminus from to . Llanidloes to , with a heavily engineered summit section, was abandoned as being too expensive to complete, including a 2.2 km tunnel and a long high viaduct over the Afon Ystwyth at Pont Rhyd-y-groes. The portion from Llanidloes to Llangurig was briefly opened as the Llangurig branch, and there are traces of works on both of the Myherin Tunnel portals at Blaen Myherin and Cae Gaer Roman fort. There is also evidence on maps between Llangurig and a point 2 km west at Pont Aberbidno where it would have crossed to the south side of the A44. The line would have travelled via the Afon Merin valley to Devil's Bridge before heading south to Strata Florida. The M&MR completed the rail link from Carmarthen to the north by diverting the line at Strata Florida to Aberystwyth. * Oxford and Rugby Railway - intended to run from Oxford to Rugby, Warwickshire, Rugby when begun in 1845. Bought by
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
, which joined it with the
Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway The Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway was an English railway line promoted by the Great Western Railway to gain a route from its southern base towards the industrial centres of the West Midlands, and in due course the north-west. It overtoo ...
to create a main line to Birmingham. Abandoned earthworks for the original route diverge from the line at Bishop's Itchington.


United States

;Massachusetts * Central Massachusetts Railroad, Massachusetts Central Railroad - was building a line from Boston to Northampton, Massachusetts, Northampton when it went bankrupt in 1883 after reaching Holden, Massachusetts, Holden. When work resumed under the
Boston and Maine Railroad The Boston and Maine Railroad was a U.S. Class I railroad in northern New England. Originally chartered in 1835, it became part of what was the Pan Am Railways network in 1983 (most of which was purchased by CSX in 2022). At the end of 1970, B ...
in 1886, a route to the south of the original one between Holden and Belchertown, Massachusetts, Belcherstown was taken and substantial work on the 1883 line through Hardwick, Massachusetts, Hardwick, Greenwich, Massachusetts, Greenwich, and Enfield, Massachusetts, Enfield was abandoned. ; Missouri * Memphis and Kansas City Railroad - this predecessor of the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (SLSF) went bankrupt in 1873 leaving substantial works between Memphis, Tennessee, and Greenfield, Missouri, but having completed nothing. Most of it became the Kansas City - Memphis route of the SLSF, but grading between Ash Grove, Missouri, Ash Grove and Greenfield was abandoned for a route to the south which missed the latter place. ;New York * Port Jefferson Branch, Hicksville and Cold Spring Branch Railroad - this subsidiary of the History of the Long Island Rail Road, Long Island Railroad was originally intended to be from Hicksville, New York, Hicksville to Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Cold Spring Harbor via Syosset, New York, Syosset in 1854, but stopped short at the latter place and the unfinished grade to Cold Spring Harbor was abandoned. Extension of the line in 1868 did not use it. * Ulster and Delaware Railroad, New York, Kingston and Syracuse Railroad (NYK&S) - this predecessor of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad opened from Kingston, New York, Kingston to Stamford, New York, Stamford and was grading through Harpersfield, New York, Harpersfield in the direction of Oneonta, New York, Oneonta when it went bankrupt in 1875. A continuation from Oneonta to Earlville, New York, Earlville was not begun, this would have connected with the Syracuse, Chenango and New York Railroad, Syracuse and Chenango Railroad to create a line to Syracuse, New York, Syracuse. The NYK&S became the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, which abandoned Harpersfield and built to Oneonta (only) via Bloomville, New York, Bloomville instead. ;Texas * Panhandle and Gulf Railway - 1899 set out to build a line from Sweetwater, Texas, Sweetwater to Laredo, Texas, Laredo via San Angelo, Texas, San Angelo, with the hope of going on to the Mexican Pacific coast at Topolobampo. Taken over 1900 by the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway which had the same idea. Began extending north to around Quanah, Texas, Quanah, but the KCMO revised its proposed route and the 15 miles (24 km) completed from Sweetwater north-east to Sylvester, Texas, Sylvester as well as a 7 mile (11 km) stub running south-east were abandoned.


Railways partly operated (original intentions unfulfilled)

These projects were partial failures, with work on uncompleted portions being abandoned.


Australia

* Rail transport in New South Wales, New South Wales Railways ** Gulgong to Maryvale section of Sandy Hollow–Gulgong railway line, Sandy Hollow–Maryvale railway ** Casino, New South Wales, Casino to Bonalbo - construction abandoned in 1930s. ** Guyra to Dorrigo, New South Wales, Dorrigo - construction abandoned in 1950s.


Canada

;Alberta * Alberta Midland Railway - built a line from Calgary to Vegreville and a branch from Camrose, Alberta, Camrose to Edmonton. Proposed a main line from Calgary south into Montana. Left unfinished sections from Calgary to High River, and Fort Macleod to Fishburg north of Glenwood, Alberta, Glenwood. * Canadian Northern Railway - Peavine Line. This was begun from Hanna, Alberta, Hanna to Medicine Hat in 1914. Completed and opened to Steveville, Alberta, Steveville in 1921 with stations at Taplow, Sheerness, Rosslynn, Sunnynook, Carolside, Pollockville, Cessford and Wardlow. These places are now
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
s. Grading was completed towards Medicine Hat, with station sites at Dinosaur, Gilburn, Princess (where the Canadian Pacific Railway was crossed), Pennymac, Bemister, Learmouth, Sinensen, Kalbeck, Stair (another crossing of the CPR) Redcliff and Medicine Hat. Work was abandoned by 1929. * Edmonton Radial Railway - the company running the streetcar system of Edmonton received authority in 1908 for a system of Interurban, electric interurban railways (called radial railways in Canada) but only managed to finish a short one to St. Albert, Alberta, St Albert. This line was to have run to Athabasca, Alberta, Athabasca, with a branch to Westlock. Four other lines were intended to Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, Lac Sainte Anne, Gull Lake, Alberta, Gull Lake, Daysland and Saddle Lake, Alberta, Saddle Lake. ;British Columbia * BC Rail, British Columbia Railway - graded to Dease Lake, and track was laid to Jackson Creek by 1977. However, trains have only run to Minaret Creek. * Canadian Northern Pacific Railway - a line from Victoria, British Columbia, Victoria to Port Alberni was begun in 1911 but work was abandoned beyond Kissinger in 1928. ;New Brunswick * St Louis, Richibucto and Buctouche Railway - planned a line from Bouctouche (note spelling) to Richibucto and Saint-Louis-de-Kent, New Brunswick, Saint-Louis-de-Kent in 1882, but only completed a stub between the latter two places. ;Nova Scotia * Mabou and Gulf Railway - begun 1905, built from the Inverness and Richmond Railway at Mabou, Nova Scotia, Mabou to coal mines and the harbour to the west, but failed to finish its intended line to Orangedale, Nova Scotia, Orangedale. The coal mines failed in 1909. ;Ontario * Hamilton, Grimsby and Beamsville Electric Railway - opened from Beamsville, Ontario, Beamsville to Vineland, Ontario, Vineland in 1904 as the first stage of an extension to Merritton, St. Catharines, Merritton to create a Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Niagara Falls line. The project was abandoned and the extension scrapped in the following year. * Ontario West Shore Railway - an electric railway was begun in 1909 between Goderich, Ontario, Goderich and Kincardine, Ontario, Kincardine. It was opened briefly from the former place to Kintail before work ceased in 1911. * Walkerton and Lucknow Railway - wished to build from Saugeen to Walkerton, Ontario, Walkerton and Lucknow, Ontario, Lucknow in 1904. Only opened to Walkerton in 1908. * Toronto and Ottawa Railway - 1877 changed its name from Huron and Quebec Railway and began a trunk line from Toronto to Ottawa via Lindsay, Ontario, Lindsay, Peterborough, Ontario, Peterborough, Madoc, Ontario (village), Madoc and Carleton Place. Failed leaving substantial uncompleted works, and was taken over by the Midland Railway of Canada. From Toronto to Peterborough the route was later used, but from Peterborough to Ottawa it was abandoned except for a stub from Madoc to Bridgewater (now Actinolite, Ontario, Actinolite) which was operated 1882-4 only. ;Quebec * Lake Champlain and St Lawrence Railway - 1879 intended to run from around Alburgh (town), Vermont, Alburgh in Vermont, USA to Sorel-Tracy, Sorel, but only opened Stanbridge Station, Quebec, Stanbridge to Saint-Guillaume, Quebec, Saint-Guillaume. * Quebec, Montreal and Southern Railway - a Canadian subsidiary of the
Delaware and Hudson Railway The Delaware and Hudson Railway (D&H) is a railroad that operates in the Northeastern United States. In 1991, after more than 150 years as an independent railroad, the D&H was purchased by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). CP operates D&H ...
, intended as part of a trunk route from New York to Quebec City. The portion between Fortierville, Quebec, Fortierville and Lévis, Quebec, Lévis was under construction when the Quebec Bridge collapsed in 1907, so work was suspended. The outbreak of war prevented resumption.


Haiti

* Chemins de Fer de la Plaine du Cul-de-Sac - the 1895 charter included a branch to Pétion-Ville, which was unfinished. * Compagnie Nationale des Chemins de Fer d'Haïti - 1910, began to build a line from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien, on a circuitous route through the interior of the country via Arcahaie, Montrouis, Saint-Marc, Rivière, Verrettes, La Chapelle, Mirebalais, Lascahobas, Thomassique, Hinche, Pignon, Savanette, Bahon, Grande-Rivière du Nord and Cap-Haïtien. It owned a pre-existing railroad from Gonaïves to Ennery, Artibonite, Ennery and began a branch to the former place from Rivière, and bought a line from Cap-Haïtien to Bahon (Chemin de Fer du Nord d'Haïti). Only finished Port-au-Prince to Verrettes.


Honduras

* Ferrocarril Nacional de Honduras - work on an interoceanic railway from Puerto Cortés to La Brea was begun in 1869, but never got beyond Potrerillos, Cortés, Potrerillos despite several attempts.


Italy

* Ferrovia Subappennina Italica - a major main line railway project, intending to provide an alternative inland route to the coastal main line between Rimini and Ancona. It was to run from Santarcangelo di Romagna to Fabriano, was begun in 1894 but the project was terminated in 1933. The section between Urbino and Fabriano was completed and opened. That between Santarcangelo and San Leo was abandoned incomplete, with stations at Poggio Berni, Verucchio and Pietracuta (the last two and part of the route then being used for a different successful railway project). From San Leo to Auditore no work was done. From Auditore to Urbino construction was also abandoned, with stations at Schieti and Trasanni.


Mexico

* Ferrocarril Interoceánico de México - intended to be a coast-to-coast line from Veracruz (city), Veracruz to Acapulco, but only reached Puente de Ixtla. Acapulco never had a railway. * Mexican Southern Railroad, Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur - opened a route from Mexico City to Oaxaca in 1892, but the intention was to reach Puerto Ángel on the Pacific coast. * Mexican Central Railway, Ferrocarril Mexico Cuernavaca y Pacifico - this was a rival line to the above from Mexico City to Acapulco, but only reached Balsas River, Rio Balsas. * Ferrocarril Pachuca y Tampico - began 1912 on a trunk line from Pachuca to Tampico, but only reached Ixcaquixtla. * Ferrocarril San Rafael y Atlixco - 1898 began a narrow gauge line from Mexico City to Atlixco, but only eventually opened to Ozumba.


Russia

* Salekhard–Igarka Railway (Трансполярная магистраль or ''Transpolar Mainline'') was a Soviet Union infrastructure project under construction as part of the Gulag from 1947 to 1953. Some portions were completed, either entering operation or being abandoned and awaiting rebuilding.


Spain

* Lleida–La Pobla Line, Ferrocarril Lledia-La Pobla is the completed part of a major international railway project to build a railway over the
Pyrenees The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to C ...
from
Lleida Lleida (, ; Spanish: Lérida ) is a city in the west of Catalonia, Spain. It is the capital city of the province of Lleida. Geographically, it is located in the Catalan Central Depression. It is also the capital city of the Segrià comarca, as ...
to Saint-Girons in France with a tunnel under the Port de Salau. The scheme received final approval in 1907, and the line Balaguer was opened in 1924. Work on the Spanish side then slowed, and opening to La Pobla de Segur was in 1954. The Spanish government then announced that it was abandoning further work. * Ferrocarril Santander - Mediterráneo - begun in 1925 to connect the ports of Santander, Spain, Santander and Valencia with a new line from the former to a junction at Calatayud with the Ferrocarril Central de Aragón. The line from Calatayud to Cidad-Dosante south of Salamanca was finished and opened in 1930. Construction continued on the unfinished portion to the latter city until abandonment in 1959. This had to cross the Cantabrian Mountains, and the Engaña Tunnel would have been the longest railway tunnel in Spain.


Turkey

* İzmir–Eğirdir railway - was intended to reach Konya, but work beyond Eğirdir was stopped at the outbreak of the First World War and never resumed. The line from Bozanönü to Eğirdir was abandoned 2003.


United Kingdom

* Bishops Castle Railway - line linking Heart of Wales line, Central Wales Railway at with the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway at , never completed from to Montgomery owing to financial problems. * Caledonian Railway, Coalburn to Muirkirk Line - Caledonian Railway branches in South Lanarkshire#Spireslack, Mid-Lanarkshire Extension Lines scheme 1896 included a line from Coalburn to . The section between Spireslack Colliery and Muirkirk never saw a train, because the rival Glasgow and South Western Railway was interested in obtaining Arrangements between railroads, running powers over it once it was opened. * Cardiff Railway, Treforest Junction - A railway for coal traffic was opened from Cardiff docks to on the Taff Vale Railway in 1909. The junction was badly surveyed, and the latter rival company prevented its use after a single test train. No other trains ever ran between the junction and . The unused portion included a viaduct. * Clarence Railway - began a line to Durham, England, Durham in 1829, with a branch from Ferryhill to Sherburn, County Durham, Sherburn. Only the line to Ferryhill and the branch to Old Quarrington were finished, the rest being abandoned uncompleted. * Cranbrook and Tenterden Light Railway - intended a line to Cranbrook, Kent, Cranbrook and Tenterden from the Hawkhurst branch line of the South Eastern Railway. Only to was built, as part of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. * Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway - A main line was begun from to
Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
via Winchester in 1882. The company ran out of funds, with the section between the two latter cities left uncompleted. This was formally abandoned in 1888, despite substantial work in hand at Southampton. * Oxford, Witney and Fairford Railway#The East Gloucestershire Railway, East Gloucestershire Railway - begun in 1862 as a line from Cheltenham to via Andoversford and , with a branch from the latter place to . Only the branch was finished. The uncompleted works from Cheltenham to Andoversford were sold to the Banbury and Cheltenham Direct Railway. * East Kent Light Railway - in 1925 began construction on lines from to , and from to its own terminus at Deal, Kent, Deal. Also, the west to north curve at and the main line junction connection at were unfinished. * East and West Yorkshire Union Railway - promoted 1883 as a main line from Leeds to Kingston upon Hull, Hull via the Hull and Barnsley Railway from . Only managed to open a small network of colliery lines near Leeds. * Furness Railway - Bardsey Loop line begun 1876, intended as relief main line between and . Line to Conishead Priory from former place opened 1883, rest abandoned. * Gifford and Garvald Railway. Opened to Gifford, East Lothian, Gifford in 1901, but abandoned the portion to Garvald, East Lothian unfinished. *
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
** Felin Fran at Llansamlet to Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen line. Finished to just beyond Clydach, Swansea, Clydach as well as to just south of Gwaen-Cae-Gurwen. Cwmgorse and Gwaen-Cae-Gurwen (South) had unused passenger stations, and an unused south-to east passenger curve to the existing Gwaen-Cae-Gurwen (Central) station had a viaduct. Middle portion of the line, including a tunnel, abandoned unfinished in 1923. Decline of the coal industry negated financial justification for completion. ** Uxbridge through line. In 1907, work began on a line from to the Uxbridge branch from , together with a new station for the town. Work was abandoned 1914, leaving only a branch to a temporary terminus at . * Queensbury lines#Halifax High Level Railway, Halifax High Level Railway - authorised 1884 as the Halifax High Level and North and South Junction Railway to serve as the terminal railway in Halifax, West Yorkshire for the Hull and Barnsley Railway and the
Queensbury lines The Queensbury lines was the name given to a number of railway lines in West Yorkshire, England, that linked Bradford, Halifax and Keighley via Queensbury. All the lines were either solely owned by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) or jointly ...
of the Great Northern Railway (Great Britain), Great Northern Railway, with a central station separate from that of the rival Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. The HBR was unable to achieve anything in Halifax, the GNR made an arrangement with the LYR to use the latter's station and the HHLR was left as a goods branch to the upper part of town with a passenger service of minimal usefulness. * Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway - the unbuilt part of the intended 1904 Kent and East Sussex Railway extension from Tenterden to via , using running powers to Maidstone from the South Eastern Railway goods siding at Tovil. The KESR bought a locomotive to work the line, but did nothing else. * Hull and Barnsley Railway - as the Hull, Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway and Dock Company, began construction of a trunk line from Kingston upon Hull, Hull to Halifax, West Yorkshire via Barnsley and Huddersfield. Only managed to open to near Barnsley, which left the passenger service exiguous. The company abandoned its proposed passenger terminus at Hull Charlotte Street, and handled passengers at its good depot site at . * Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway - authorised 1891 as a trunk line between proposed docks at Warrington and Sutton-on-Sea via Knutsford, Macclesfield (branch to Cheadle, Greater Manchester, Cheadle for Manchester), Buxton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Lincoln, England, Lincoln. Only finished to near Lincoln, with the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Beighton Branch, Beighton Branch in the direction of Sheffield. * Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway - Rishworth Branch. The line from to was intended as a relief main line to , but was left as a branch in 1881 with further work abandoned. * Metropolitan District Railway - Hounslow Town tube station, Hounslow Town terminus - the MDR line to Hounslow was intended to connect with the
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
at the latter's Hounslow railway station, Hounslow station but stopped short at Hounslow Town in 1883. This terminus was built as a through station, elevated above road level for a bridge that was never built. *
Metropolitan Railway The Metropolitan Railway (also known as the Met) was a passenger and goods railway that served London from 1863 to 1933, its main line heading north-west from the capital's financial heart in the City to what were to become the Middlesex su ...
- Watford Branch. Intended to terminate at Watford Central tube station, Watford Central station on Watford High Street, but stopped short at Watford tube station, Watford (Cassiobury Park Avenue) despite a property being purchased to serve as the terminus. * Mid Nottinghamshire Joint Railway - begun from south of to south of by the London and North Eastern Railway and
London, Midland and Scottish Railway The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSIt has been argued that the initials LMSR should be used to be consistent with LNER, GWR and SR. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway's corporate image used LMS, and this is what is generally u ...
in 1926. Only completed to in 1931, although the Calverton Colliery branch was built on part of the unused formation by British Railways in 1951. * Mid Suffolk Light Railway - the company failed to complete its lines from Cratfield to Halesworth and Kenton railway station (Suffolk), Kenton to , owing to bankruptcy in 1906. Track had been laid from Kenton to Debenham, but no facilities provided at the latter place. *
Midland Railway The Midland Railway (MR) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844. The Midland was one of the largest railway companies in Britain in the early 20th century, and the largest employer in Derby, where it had its headquarters. It am ...
** West Riding Lines (Bradford Through Line) included the missing link in the company's London to Scotland trunk route, comprising a main line from to . Began 1905, completed to Savile Town in Dewsbury 1906, after various attempts the rest was abandoned 1920. ** West Riding Lines (Huddersfield and Halifax) authorised 1905 as a main line from Thornhill, West Yorkshire on the above to Huddersfield and Halifax, West Yorkshire, Halifax. The project morphed into a goods branch following the River Calder, West Yorkshire, River Calder on a different alignment, terminating at Huddersfield Newtown and with proposed passenger services abandoned. * Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway - Begun 1871 but ran out of funds. Purchased by the
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
and completed 1882, but not used. A passenger service ran from Cinderford to Drybrook Halt from 1907, but the section from there to never saw a train. This included the Euroclydon Tunnel. * Oxford and Aylesbury Tramroad - took over the private Brill Tramway in 1888, and upgraded it to common carrier standards so as to form part of an electric line to Oxford. No further work was done. * Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway - began a line from to the North Staffordshire Railway at in 1866, but ran out of money. A second attempt by the Shropshire Railways in 1890 failed for the same reason. * Rhondda Valley and Hirwain Junction Railway (note spelling) - began 1867 to build from to , involving a very long tunnel. This would have given the Rhondda direct access to Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil. Completed to the south tunnel portal site, but further work abandoned. The Swansea outlet was later provided by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway in a different direction. Survived as a Taff Vale Railway colliery spur. * Sheffield District Railway - intended to provide terminal facilities in Sheffield for the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway 1896, but its line to the latter's Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Beighton Branch, Beighton Branch was abandoned and the railway became a goods exchange line in the city. * Plymouth to Yealmpton Branch, South Hams Railway - This was intended as a joint line from Plymouth to Modbury, begun in 1895 by the
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
and
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
, which were rivals. The GWR built to just beyond , but the LSWR refused to complete the line or to co-operate. Services terminated at Yealmpton on opening in 1898. * Bawtry to Haxey railway line, Tickhill Light Railway - completed by the Great Northern Railway (Great Britain), Great Northern Railway in 1912. The central portion was never used, and the rails were scavenged for the war effort in 1914. * Shepperton branch line, Thames Valley Railway - incorporated 1864 to build a line from Twickenham to Chertsey Bridge to serve the town of Chertsey. Taken over before completion by the
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
, which already had a station in the town. As a result the branch only opened to Shepperton, but Shepperton railway station, Shepperton station was still built as a through station not as a terminus.


United States

American Wood industry, lumber companies could have a sense of humor when naming their railroads. Titles such as ''Atlanta, Skeetercloud and Gulf'' are not, on their own, reliable indicators of unfinished projects.


Alabama

* Birmingham and Gulf Railway and Navigation - the Black Warrior River was made navigable to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tuscaloosa in the 1890s, and in response this company bought the city's streetcar system in 1907 with the intention of using it to switch freight from riverboats and of extending to
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
as an electric passenger and freight line. The scheme collapsed in 1912, and the city lost its streetcars. * Birmingham, Laney and Piedmont Railroad - began a line from Laney (south-east of Gadsden) east to Piedmont, Alabama, Piedmont in 1892, but abandoned in 1895. * Cullman Coal and Coke Company - attempted to build a public railroad from Cullman, Alabama, Cullman to Bremen, Alabama, Bremen 1911-17 but only completed six miles which were leased to a private lumber company. * Alabama Midland Railway, Montgomery and Southern Railway - began 1880 to build a narrow-gauge line south from Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery to the Gulf coast, but only got as far as Luverne, Alabama, Luverne by 1889. This town grew around the terminus. * Tennessee River, Ashville and Coosa Railroad - began in 1890 to build from Anniston, Alabama, Anniston to Sheffield, Alabama, Sheffield, 189 miles (304 km). Completed a spur of 6 miles (9.5 km) from Whitney, Alabama, Whitney to Ashville, Alabama, Ashville but failed and the track had been scavenged by 1900.


Arizona

* Arizona and Colorado Railroad - built 1908 from Cochise, Arizona, Cochise southwards to Black Knob west of Douglas, Arizona, Douglas. A subsidiary of the
Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...
. Line completed, but was never used south of Kelton.


Arkansas

* Kansas City, Arkansas and New Orleans Railroad - began 1891 to construct the Arkansas portion of a proposed trunk line from Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City to New Orleans. Finished seven miles, running north of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Stuttgart. This and some of the abandoned grade was later used for the Hazen, Arkansas, Hazen branch of the St. Louis Southwestern Railway. * Kansas City and Memphis Railway - took over the Arkansas, Oklahoma and Western Railroad and the Monte Ne, Monte Ne Railroad in 1910. The two predecessors proposed a line from Wagoner, Oklahoma, to Harrison, Arkansas. The KC&M abandoned the latter intention and began a trunk line to Memphis, Tennessee, from Cave Springs, Arkansas, Cave Springs. Opened to Fayetteville, Arkansas, Fayetteville and was grading to Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville. The line was to have gone on via Searcy, Arkansas, Searcy, Judsonia, Arkansas, Judsonia, Augusta, Arkansas, Augusta and Cherry Valley, Arkansas, Cherry Valley with a branch to Little Rock, Arkansas, Little Rock. Also tried to build a feeder line from Monte Ne to Ovid near Huntsville, but only opened two miles (3 km). * Louisiana and Pine Bluff Railway - in 1926 the public timetable of this logging railroad offered service from Huttig, Arkansas, Huttig via Dollar Junction to ''End of Tracks'' (sic), seven miles (11 km). Twenty-four further miles (38.5 km) to Moro Bay, Arkansas, Moro Bay were allegedly under construction. * Memphis, Dallas and Gulf Railroad (formerly Memphis, Paris and Gulf Railroad) - consolidated several lumber railroads in 1910 with the intention of forming a bridge route from the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...
at Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Dallas. Failed to build west of Ashdown, Arkansas.


California

* California and Nevada Railroad - an attempt at a transcontinental Narrow-gauge railway, narrow gauge railroad, proposed 1884 from Oakland, California, Oakland to the
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to ''Rio Grande'', D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow-gauge line running south from De ...
in Utah. Only reached Orinda, California, Orinda in 1891, 22 miles (35 km) of line. Part was later used for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway trunk line to Richmond, California, Richmond. * Hueneme, Malibu and Port Los Angeles Railway - only built an isolated line between Yerba Buena and Las Flores, through Malibu, California, Malibu, by 1908. It never reached Long Wharf (Santa Monica), Port Los Angeles or connected with another railroad. * Northwestern Pacific Railroad interurban lines, Northwestern Pacific Railroad - electrified its line from San Anselmo, California, San Anselmo to Manor, California, Manor in 1908, as part of its electric suburban passenger network from Sausalito, California, Sausalito. This was the stub of an abandoned project for an electric service to Inverness, California, Inverness, with a new line terminating there from Point Reyes. * Ocean Shore Railroad - was to have been an electric line from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, California, Santa Cruz, begun in 1905. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake crippled the project, and the portion between Tunitas Glen (at the mouth of Tunitas Creek) and Swanton, California, Swanton was never finished. The two separate lines were not electrified. * Sacramento Northern Railway, Northern Electric Railway - in 1913 completed an electric line from Vacaville, California, Vacaville to Willota as the first section of a route from Vallejo, California, Vallejo to Sacramento, California, Sacramento, but the company went bankrupt and further work was abandoned.Hilton & Due: Electric Interurban Railways of America Stanford University Press 2000 p. 398 * San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose Railway - began 1908 to build an electric railway from Oakland, California, Oakland to San Jose, California, San Jose, but failed and evolved into the Key System. * Stockton and Copperopolis Railroad - began a line from Stockton, California, Stockton to Copperopolis, California, Copperopolis in 1870, but this was only completed as far as Milton, California, Milton after the Central Pacific Railroad took over in 1874. * Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad - began to build from Elmira, California, Elmira to Clear Lake (California), Clear Lake in 1877, but only reached Rumsey, California, Rumsey.


Colorado

* Arkansas Valley Railway - this subsidiary of the Kansas Pacific Railway was begun in 1872 from Kit Carson, Colorado, Kit Carson to Pueblo, Colorado, Pueblo with the expectation of substantial investment from the latter city. This was not forthcoming, because the city preferred the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As a result, the AVR only opened to Las Animas, Colorado, Las Animas in 1873 and was abandoned five years later. * Colorado, Wyoming and Great Northern Railroad - 1894 took over the Little Book Cliff Railway at Grand Junction to extend it to Green River, Wyoming. Gave up 1899. Part of the route was later earmarked for the Laramie, North Park and Western Railroad, Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railway (see below). * Denver, Laramie and Northwestern Railroad - began in 1906 to build a direct trunk line from
Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
to Seattle via Fort Collins, Colorado, Fort Collins; Laramie, Wyoming; Boise, Idaho, and Lewiston, Idaho. Began substantial works from Denver to Laramie, including the Butte Royal Tunnel just south of the state line. Only opened Denver to Greeley, Colorado, Greeley and abandoned the rest after bankruptcy in 1912. * Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad - began 1870 to build a narrow-gauge line from
Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
to the Rio Grande at El Paso, Texas, but in 1880 famously lost a battle with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway over a right of way through the Raton Pass which could only accommodate one line of railroad. So, it turned westwards and became Colorado's east to west trunk line railroad system instead -without ever bothering to change its name. * Denver and Salt Lake Railway - intended to build a trunk line from
Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
to Salt Lake City via Vernal, Utah, and the Uinta Basin, but the completed line never got further than Craig, Colorado, Craig in 1913. The company surrendered to the rival Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1931. * Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad - between 1882 and 1888 built a line from Gunnison, Colorado, Gunnison to Baldwin, Colorado, Baldwin and continued work towards the Kebler Pass which it abandoned on bankruptcy. * Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway - began in 1880 to build from Georgetown, Colorado, Georgetown to Keystone, Colorado, Keystone, but stopped at Graymont. The ''Atlantic-Pacific Tunnel'' under the Continental Divide of the Americas, Continental Divide was begun at both ends, but abandoned unfinished. * Greeley and Denver Railroad - began in 1907 to build an electric interurban between Greeley, Colorado, Greeley and Denver, and graded some of its line from the former place. Only operated a small streetcar system on a loop route in Greeley. * Laramie, North Park and Western Railroad, Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railway - 1911 reached Coalmont, Colorado, Coalmont, but the main line was to have gone from Northgate to Grand Junction via Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs.


Connecticut

* New York, Housatonic and Northern Railroad - chartered in 1863 to run from White Plains, New York, northeast via
North Salem, New York North Salem is a town in the northeastern section of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately 50 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. The population of North Salem was 5,104 at the 2010 cens ...
, Ridgebury,
Danbury Danbury is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2022 was 87,642. It is the seventh largest city in Connecticut. Danbury is nicknamed the "Hat City ...
to Brookfield, Connecticut, Brookfield on the Housatonic Railroad. It was only finished north of Danbury in 1868, and 23 miles (37 km) of unfinished line was abandoned. The grade between North Salem and Danbury was occupied by the Danville and Harlem Traction.


Florida

* Tampa and Jacksonville Railroad - in 1906 took over the Gainesville and Gulf Railroad from Sampson City, Florida, Sampson City through Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville to Micanopy, Florida, Micanopy as part of a proposed main line from Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville to Tampa, Florida, Tampa, but only completed a dead-end extension to Emathla, Florida, Emathla. * Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleans Railroad - begun in 1907 to build a direct link between Pensacola, Florida, Pensacola and
Mobile Mobile may refer to: Places * Mobile, Alabama, a U.S. port city * Mobile County, Alabama * Mobile, Arizona, a small town near Phoenix, U.S. * Mobile, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels * Mobile ( ...
with terminal facilities for the trunk line railroads using the two ports. Only built from Pensacola to a dead-end location called Pemona AL, and operated as a logging railroad. Became the Gulf Ports Terminal Railway in 1917. This is quoted as an example of a publicly expressed proposal being possibly fraudulent, to mislead investors. * South Florida and Gulf Railway - graded 1914 from Kenansville, Florida, Kenansville to Fort Basinger, Florida, Basinger, and laid tracks to Prairie Ridge. This was part of an attempt to bring the area into cultivation, but it comprises fossil sand dunes and the railroad was scrapped in 1918. * Tallahassee, Perry and Southeastern Railroad - built from Tallahassee, Florida, Tallahassee through Covington to Waylonzo, and graded to Perry, Florida, Perry before abandoning work in 1907.


Georgia

* Atlantic, Waycross and Northern Railroad - in 1911 took over the St Marys and Kingland Railroad, a short line between Kingsland, Georgia, Kingsland and the little port of St. Marys, Georgia, St Marys, the intention being to make the latter a rival to Brunswick, Georgia, Brunswick and to build a trunk line from the former to connect with the Southern Railway (U.S.), Southern Railway at Fort Valley, Georgia, Fort Valley. The effort was wasted. * Georgia Florida and Alabama Railroad - in 1898 took over the abandoned route of the Bainbridge, Cuthbert and Columbus Railroad which had attempted to build between Bainbridge, Georgia, Bainbridge and Columbus, Georgia, Columbus, for a line from the latter place to the Gulf port of Carrabelle, Florida. The GFA failed to reach Columbus in its turn. * Georgia Southwestern and Gulf Railroad - began a line from Albany, Georgia, Albany to Panama City, Florida, in 1908 but abandoned work. It took over the Albany and Northern Railway instead. * Pelham and Havana Railroad - built from Cairo, Georgia, Cairo to Havana, Florida, in 1910, but never finished from Cairo to Pelham, Georgia, Pelham. * Smithonia, Danielsville and Carnesville Railroad - built 1895 from Colbert, Georgia, Colbert to Smithonia, Georgia, Smithonia but failed to get from the former place to Danielsville, Georgia, Danielsville and Carnesville, Georgia, Carnesville.


Idaho

* Lewiston, Nezperce and Eastern Railroad - in 1912 took over the abandoned grade of the Lewiston Southeastern Electric Railway which had graded from Lewiston, Idaho, Lewiston to Tammany by 1907 and intended to reach Grangeville, Idaho, Grangeville via Waha. The LNE began to build to Craigmont, Idaho, Craigmont and connect with the Nez Perce and Idaho Railroad to Nezperce, Idaho, Nezperce, also a branch to Asotin, Washington, Asotin, but only opened to Tammany briefly. * Pacific, Idaho and Northern Railroad - took over the abandoned grade of the Weiser, Idaho and Spokane Railroad at Weiser, Idaho, Weiser in 1899 and completed to New Meadows, Idaho, New Meadows. Work on an extension to Seven Devils Mountains, Seven Devils with a branch to Helena (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
) was abandoned. * Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad - the branch to Hayden Lake, Idaho, Hayden Lake, opened in 1906, was intended to reach Bayview, Idaho, Bayview.


Illinois

* Alton, Jacksonville and Peoria Railway - only completed Alton, Illinois, Alton to Jerseyville, Illinois, Jerseyville in 1912 but went no further. The city of Carrollton, Illinois, Carrollton paved its Courthouse Square in anticipation of its arrival, incorporating a length of track -and ''Ripley's Believe It or Not!'' described this at ''The Shortest Railroad in the World''.Corliss, C.J. Trails to Rails 1934 p. 38 * Bloomington, Pontiac and Joliet Electric Railway - began 1905 to build a line from Bloomington, Illinois, Bloomington to Joliet via Pontiac, Illinois, Pontiac, which would have been part of an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
passenger line from Chicago to St Louis. Only opened Pontiac to Dwight, Illinois, Dwight. * Chicago and Illinois River Railroad - set out to build from Chicago to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1873 but only opened to Gorman south-west of Coal City, Illinois, Coal City before running out of funds. Its unfinished grade from there to Streator, Illinois, Streator became part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway main line, but the Mississippi River crossing at Keokuk never obtained a trunk line to Chicago. * Chicago, Milwaukee and Gary Railroad - formed 1908 to create an outer belt line around Chicago, from
Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
to Gary, Indiana. Only opened a line from Rockford, Illinois, to Delmar in Kankakee County, Illinois, and became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, Milwaukee Road. The two unbuilt portions still featured in publicity in the early 1920s. * Chicago, Ottawa and Peoria Railway - the branch from Ottawa, Illinois, Ottawa to Streator, Illinois, Streator was the only section finished, in 1908, of this interurban's main line to Peoria, Illinois, Peoria and Mackinaw, Illinois, Mackinaw, forking at Eureka, Illinois, Eureka. * Kankakee and Urbana Traction - begun 1909 to build an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
line from Urbana, Illinois, Urbana to Kankakee, Illinois, Kankakee, to connect with the Chicago and Southern Traction and to give Urbana a direct rail route to Chicago. Only opened to Paxton, Illinois, Paxton. * Lee County Central Electric Railway, Northern Illinois Electric Railway - 1901 began an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric line from Dixon, Illinois, Dixon to Steward, Illinois, Steward via Lee Center, Illinois, Lee Center with a branch from the latter place to Amboy, Illinois, Amboy. Only the branch was finished and opened, with a section of the main line to Middlebury opened by the successor Lee County Central Electric Railway. * Quincy, Carrollton and St Louis - purchased the Litchfield, Carrollton and Western from Litchfield, Illinois, Litchfield to the port of Columbiana on the Illinois River just west of Eldred, Illinois, Eldred in 1899, but failed to build its extension to Quincy, Illinois, Quincy and its line to St Louis only reached Reardon, Illinois, Reardon. * Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company - opened 1911 from Sycamore, Illinois, Sycamore to Marengo, Illinois, Marengo but could not complete to Woodstock, Illinois, Woodstock. Also, it was intended as an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric railroad but never electrified and used gasoline cars.


Indiana

* Bluffton, Geneva and Celina Traction - Tried to build from Bluffton, Indiana, Bluffton to
Celina, Ohio Celina ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Ohio, United States about 58 miles northwest of Dayton, Ohio, Dayton. The population was 10,400 at the United States Census 2010, 2010 census. Celina is situated on the northwestern sh ...
, via
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...
in 1909, but only reached Geneva and abandoned further work. The place only had 900 people and the venture was hopeless, being scrapped in 1917.Hilton & Due: Electric Interurban Railways of America Stanford University Press 2000 p. 282 * Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad - completed a line from Cincinnati to Griffith, Indiana, Griffith before going bankrupt in 1910. Taken over by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, which completed between Griffith and Hammond, Indiana, Hammond but abandoned work on the line between Miamitown, Ohio, and
Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...
, via Madison, Illinois, Madison. * Chicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad - began construction of an express electric railroad from Chicago to New York in 1906, and finished 21 miles (34 km) of an interurban connecting Gary, Indiana, with La Porte, Indiana. * Chicago and Wabash Valley Railroad - the ''Onion Belt'' began 1898 to construct a line from Rensselaer, Indiana, Rensselaer on the Monon Railroad to Crown Point, Indiana, Crown Point and Gary, Indiana, Gary. Only opened to Dinwiddie, Indiana, Dinwiddie and graded to Crown Point. The ''Monon'' took over in 1914, and abandoned work. * Indianapolis and Cincinnati Traction - Built from
Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
to Connersville, Indiana, Connersville in 1906, and got no further. * Toledo and Chicago Interurban Railway - began 1907 to build from Goshen to
Bryan, Ohio Bryan is a city in, and the county seat of, Williams County, Ohio, United States. It is located in the state's northwestern corner, southwest of Toledo. The population was 8,729 at the 2020 census. History Bryan was platted in 1840 by John ...
, and a connection into Toledo, Ohio, Toledo via the
Toledo and Indiana Railway The Toledo and Indiana Railway, Inc., was a combined electric interurban railroad and electric company that operated between Toledo, Ohio, and Bryan, Ohio, via Stryker, Ohio, from 1901 to 1939. History The Toledo & Indiana Railway, Inc., was inco ...
, with a branch to
Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...
. Only finished the branch, and a segment of the main line between Kendallville, Indiana, Kendallville and Waterloo, Indiana, Waterloo before going bankrupt and re-emerging as the Fort Wayne and Northwestern Railway in 1913. * St Joseph Valley Railway and St Joseph Valley Traction - this pair of putative
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
s tried to establish an electric passenger route from Elkhart, Indiana, Elkhart via Lagrange, Indiana, Lagrange and Angola, Indiana, Angola to the Toledo and Western Railway at Pioneer, Ohio, and so create a Chicago to
Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. A major Midwestern United States port city, Toledo is the fourth-most populous city in the state of Ohio, after Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and according ...
, interurban. The ''Traction'' was from Elkhart to Lagrange, but only electrified to Bristol, Indiana, Bristol. The ''Railway'' only reached Columbia, Williams County, Ohio, Columbia in Williams County in 1915, using grading left by the Toledo and Western Railroad but could not connect with the latter and was abandoned in 1918.


Iowa

* Chicago, Fort Madison and Northwestern Railroad - took over the Fort Madison and Northwestern Railroad in 1890. The latter began in 1871 to build a narrow gauge line from Fort Madison, Iowa, Fort Madison to Council Bluffs, Iowa, Council Bluffs via Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines but only got to Collett. The CFMNW built to Ottumwa, Iowa, Ottumwa on the way to Des Moines, but went bankrupt and was taken over by the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington Route, the Burlington, or as the Q, it operated extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illin ...
in 1899. All work west of Batavia, Iowa, Batavia was abandoned. * Creston, Winterset and Des Moines Railroad intended a line from Creston, Iowa, Creston to Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines, but abandoned work after reaching Macksburg, Iowa, Macksburg in 1912.


Kansas

* Arkansas Valley Interurban Railway - built a fragment 1911 of an extensive proposed network centred on Wichita, Kansas, Wichita. The main line was to have been from Wichita to Salina, Kansas, Salina via Newton, Kansas, Newton, with a branch from ''Van Arsdale Junction'' (south-west of Newton) to Hutchinson and Great Bend, Kansas, Great Bend. From Hutchinson, a third line would have run direct to Hudson, Kansas, Hudson.To the south of Wichita, a line would have run to Oxford, Kansas, Oxford via Belle Plaine, Kansas, Belle Plaine, with a short branch to Wellington, Kansas, Wellington from the latter place. At Oxford, it would have joined a circular service running Oxford - Winfield, Kansas, Winfield - Arkansas City, Kansas, Arkansas City - Geuda Springs, Kansas, Geuda Springs- Oxford which would have subsumed a pre-existing little interurban between Winfield and Arkansas City called the Southwestern Interurban Railway of Kansas. * Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad - took over the bankrupt Scott City Northern Railroad 1913, which had been opened from Scott City, Kansas, Scott City to Winona, Kansas, Winona in 1911. Began construction of a trunk line from the latter to
Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
, also from Garden City, Kansas, Garden City to Forgan, Oklahoma, and the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway -trackage over the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Santa Fe from Scott City to Garden City. Bankrupt 1917 without having opened any further lines. * Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway - began 1900 to build a transcontinental from Kansas City, Kansas, to the Mexican Pacific port of Topolobampo. Did not complete from Kansas City to Wichita, Kansas, Wichita owing to bankruptcy in 1912, although grading was done from the latter place to Bazaar, Kansas, Bazaar. The right of way from Lawrence, Kansas, Lawrence and the terminal properties at Kansas City were purchased by the Kansas City, Kaw Valley and Western Railway which opened in 1914.Hilton & Due: Electric Interurban Railways of America Stanford University Press 2000 p. 367 * Kansas City, Kaw Valley and Western Railway - built from Kansas City, Kansas, to Lawrence, Kansas, Lawrence in 1915, but never made it to
Topeka Topeka ( ; Kansa: ; iow, Dópikˀe, script=Latn or ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeast Kansas, in the Central Un ...
as intended. * Kansas and Oklahoma Railway - built from Liberal, Kansas, Liberal to a dead end at Woods to the east (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
) in 1922, on the line of the failed Santa Fe, Liberal and Englewood Railroad. Failed, in its turn, to achieve its purpose of providing Liberal with a connection to the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway at Forgan, Oklahoma -Woods to Folsom was on the line of the failed Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad. * Memphis, Kansas and Colorado Railway - 1877 began work on a Narrow-gauge railway, narrow gauge line from Memphis, Tennessee, to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in Colorado. It opened from Cherryvale, Kansas, Cherryvale to Weir, Kansas, Weir City, in 1881, and abandoned further work.


Kentucky

* Chesapeake and Nashville Railway 1883 inherited a line from Nashville, Tennessee, to Scottsville, Kentucky, Scottsville and began construction on a line to Danville, Kentucky, Danville via Glasgow, Kentucky, Glasgow. Work was abandoned, leaving grading between Scottsville and Glasgow.Herr: The Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 1850-1963 2015 p. 178 * Covington, Flemingsburg and Pound Gap Railway - began 1876 to build a Narrow-gauge railway, narrow gauge line from Covington, Kentucky, Covington to Hazel Green, Kentucky, Hazel Green via Flemingsburg, Kentucky, Flemingsburg, Hillsboro, Kentucky, Hillsboro and Salt Lick, Kentucky, Salt Lick. This and its successor companies only opened from Flemingsburg Junction, Kentucky, Flemingsburg Junction to Hillsboro, although much grading was done in the direction of Covington by the Cincinnati and Southeastern Railway and the terminus was altered to West Liberty, Kentucky, West Liberty by the abortive Licking Valley Railroad both in 1880. Ended up as the Flemingsburg and Northern Railroad. The Licking River Railroad built up the river from Salt Lick to Blackwater, but in its turn failed to reach West Liberty which never saw a railroad. * Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad, Kentucky Midland Railway - 1888 began a line from Frankfort, Kentucky, Frankfort via Paris, Kentucky, Paris and Owingsville, Kentucky, Owingsville to Salt Lick, Kentucky, Salt Lick and up the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking River valley. Completed to Paris and became the Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad, but abandoned work east of Paris. * Louisville and Interurban Railroad, Louisville and Eastern Railroad - attempted to build two inter-city
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric lines from Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville to Cincinnati and Frankfort, Kentucky, Frankfort in 1901, but only managed to open to La Grange, Kentucky, La Grange and Shelbyville, Kentucky, Shelbyville respectively. * Owensboro and Nashville Railway - the attempt to build a main line railroad from Owensboro, Kentucky, Owensboro to Nashville, Tennessee, in competition with the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad The Louisville and Nashville Railroad , commonly called the L&N, was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1850, the road grew into one of the ...
began in 1873, but never finished south of Adairville, Kentucky, Adairville. This was to have been the St Louis route of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway but the L&N and the
Illinois Central Railroad The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A line also co ...
stymied it, there never was an Ohio River railroad bridge at Owensboro and the unfortunate city never amounted to much.


Louisiana

* Louisiana Central Railroad - 1883 purchased the Baton Rouge, Gros Tete and Opelousas Railroad from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge to Musson via Rosedale, Louisiana, Rosedale, and began a line from Rosedale to Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette which it never completed. * New Orleans, Mobile and Texas Railroad - 1877 graded from Westwego, Louisiana, Westwego to the Sabine River (Texas–Louisiana), Sabine River. Westwago to White Castle, Louisiana, White Castle went to the Texas and Pacific Railway and Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette to Sabine River ended up with the
Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...
eventually, but White Castle to Lafayette was abandoned unfinished. *
St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (St. L., I. M. & S.), commonly known as the Iron Mountain, was an American railway company that operated from 1874 until 1917 when it was merged into the Missouri Pacific Railroad. History The Iro ...
- 1905 began a line from Eudora, Arkansas, to Gilbert, Louisiana, Gilbert but only opened to Delhi, Louisiana, Delhi and abandoned the rest unfinished. Stations on the uncompleted portion would have been Pickrum, Lamar, Crowville and Cordill.


Maine

* Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway - as the Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad built from Wiscasset, Maine, Wiscasset to Burnham, Maine, Burnham 1900, but never opened beyond Albion, Maine, Albion. An associated company called the Franklin, Somerset and Kennnebec tried to build between Waterville, Maine, Waterville and Farmington, Maine, Farmington in 1897, but achieved little.


Maryland

* Baltimore and Delaware Bay Railroad, Kent County Railroad - began a dead-end line from Massey, Maryland, Massey to Chestertown, Maryland, Chestertown in 1870, and made two abortive attempts to reach the Chesapeake Bay. The original terminus was to have been Rock Hall, Maryland, Rock Hall from Worton, Maryland, Worton, begun by the Bay Extension Railroad 1872 but only completed as a stub to a place called Belair, Fairlee, Parsons or Nicholson. There is evidence for a second stub from Chestertown, and possibly two stub termini (Nicholson was the northern one) with a triangular layout if the project had completed. In 1873, the projected terminus was altered to Tolchester Beach, Maryland, Tolchester Beach from Nicholson, and this route was graded and a steamer pier begun by the Smyrna and Delaware Bay Railroad before the second abandonment the same year. * Washington, Brandywine and Point Lookout Railroad - it and its predecessors only built from Brandywine, Maryland, Brandywine to Mechanicsville, Maryland, Mechanicsville, although much of the route to Point Lookout State Park, Point Lookout was later used by the US Navy line to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent. Also graded a stub in east Washington, the East Washington Railroad. appropriated illegally by the Chesapeake Beach Railway and later a short line in its own right.


Michigan

* Chicago and Canada Southern Railway - 1871 began a trunk line from an international ferry crossing between Grosse Ile (Michigan), Grosse Ile and Amherstburg, Amherstburg, Ontario, to Chicago. Only completed from Grosse Ile to Fayette, Ohio. The unfinished grade between Montpelier, Ohio, and North Liberty, Indiana, was later used by the Wabash Railroad. * Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee Railroad - subsidiary of the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
system, incorporated 1897 to build a line from
Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. A major Midwestern United States port city, Toledo is the fourth-most populous city in the state of Ohio, after Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and according ...
, to Holland, Michigan, Holland and operate a car ferry to
Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
. Only ran from Dundee, Michigan, Dundee to Allegan, Michigan, Allegan, and never reached Lake Michigan. * St. Joseph Valley Railway (1889–1897), Milwaukee, Benton Harbor and Columbus Railway - 1897 took over the St Joseph Valley Railway in order to extend it from
South Bend South Bend is a city in and the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total of 103,453 residents and is the fourt ...
to Benton Harbor, Michigan, Benton Harbor and
Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
by car ferry. Finished Buchanan, Michigan, Buchanan to Benton Harbor, but the Buchanan to South Bend portion was abandoned with stations at Bertrand and State Line. * Toledo, Ann Arbor and Detroit Electric Railway - began 1903 to build from
Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. A major Midwestern United States port city, Toledo is the fourth-most populous city in the state of Ohio, after Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and according ...
, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor, completed to Dundee, Michigan, Dundee and graded the rest but never electrified. The Dundee stub became theToledo-Detroit Railroad and then part of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad.


Minnesota

* Duluth, St Cloud, Glencoe and Mankato Railroad - began 1900 to build a trunk line from Duluth, Minnesota, Duluth to southern Minnesota, via St. Cloud, Minnesota, St. Cloud, Glencoe, Minnesota, Glencoe and Mankato, Minnesota, Mankato. Only completed part of a feeder from Albert Lea, Minnesota, Albert Lea to the last-named, which stopped short at St. Clair, Minnesota, St. Clair to become a dead-end branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1910. * Electric Short Line Railway - planned to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Minneapolis to Brookings, South Dakota, began 1914 but only reached Gluek, Minnesota, Gluek in 1927 as the Minnesota Western Railway. Never electrified. * Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction - began 1908 to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
system with a main line from Minneapolis via Northfield, Minnesota, Northfield and Rochester, Minnesota, Rochester to Dubuque, Iowa, with branches Northfield to Austin, Minnesota, Austin via Faribault, Minnesota, Faribault and Owatonna, Minnesota, Owatonna, Faribault to Mankato, Minnesota, Mankato, and Owatonna to Albert Lea, Minnesota, Albert Lea. Only built to Northfield, and graded to Faribault. Became the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway. Never electrified.


Mississippi

* Aberdeen and Tombigbee Valley Railroad - 1907 graded a line from Okolona, Mississippi, Okolona via Aberdeen, Mississippi, Aberdeen to Columbus, Mississippi, Columbus. Aberdeen to Columbus only was used by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, the rest was abandoned unfinished. * Meridian Brookhaven and Natchez Railroad - in 1882 bought a private logging railroad at Brookhaven, Mississippi, Brookhaven in order to extend it as a trunk line to Meridian, Mississippi, Meridian. Went bankrupt 1888, having achieved little beyond extending to a quarry. Became a very small
Illinois Central Railroad The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A line also co ...
subsidiary. * Mobile and Northwestern Railroad - 1870 began a narrow gauge line from Trotters Point, across the Mississippi River from Helena, Arkansas, to Jackson, Mississippi, Jackson via Yazoo City, Mississippi, Yazoo City. Only managed to complete to Clarksdale, Mississippi, Clarksdale before failing in 1886. * Nashville and Mississippi Delta Railroad - began 1890 to build between Grenada, Mississippi, Grenada and Nettleton, Mississippi, Nettleton, but failed and sold uncompleted works to the Southern Railway (U.S.), Southern Railroad. The latter opened Okolona, Mississippi, Okolona to Calhoun City, Mississippi, Calhoun City only, detached from its main system. A predecessor company, the Vicksburg and Nashville Railroad, had constructed 5 miles (8 km) of narrow gauge track on the route at Grenada in 1872. * New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern, New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad - in 1867 was in the process of finishing a line between Canton, Mississippi, Canton and Aberdeen, Mississippi, Aberdeen. Most of this was completed under the aegis of its successor the
Illinois Central Railroad The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A line also co ...
, but grading between Canton and Kosciusko, Mississippi, Kosciusko was abandoned.


Missouri

* Iowa and St. Louis Railway - had completed a line from Centerville, Iowa, to Elmer, Missouri, Elmer in 1901. The original intention was to build from Centerville to Des Moines, Iowa, and from Macon to St Louis thus creating a trunk line. Became part of the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington Route, the Burlington, or as the Q, it operated extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illin ...
, which began work 1903 to Macon, Missouri, Macon with stations at Barnesville, Macon County, Missouri, Barnesville and Bloomington, Missouri, Bloomington, then from Macon through Enterprise and Woodlawn, Missouri, Woodlawn in the direction of Paris, Missouri, Paris. The ultimate destination would have been Mexico, Missouri, Mexico, and a connection with its line there to St Louis. None of this was completed. * Kansas City Rock Island Railroad - this was a subsidiary of the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...
and was intended to be the terminal road in Kansas City for another subsidiary, the St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado Railroad from St Louis to Hadsell near Gunn City, Missouri, Gunn City. Did not get any nearer Kansas City than Leeds, Kansas City, Leeds in 1904. * Mexico, Santa Fe and Perry Traction - began 1907 to build from Mexico, Missouri, Mexico to Perry, Missouri, Perry but only opened to Santa Fe, Missouri, Santa Fe in 1915, abandoning the rest. Shut down in 1915.


Montana

* Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad - the western extension terminating at Whitetail, Montana, Whitetail was intended to go on to Sweetgrass, Montana, Sweetgrass for a connection with the Canadian Pacific Railroad to Vancouver. * Montana Southern Railway - this Narrow-gauge railway, narrow gauge line from Divide to Coolidge (now a ghost town) was intended to go on to Jackson.


Nebraska

*
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington Route, the Burlington, or as the Q, it operated extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illin ...
- its subsidiary the Lincoln and Black Hills Railroad built three branches from Palmer, Nebraska, Palmer into the Sandhills (Nebraska), Sandhills after 1897. These reached Sargent, Nebraska, Sargent, Burwell, Nebraska, Burwell and Ericson, Nebraska, Ericson but all were graded further. Sergent's grade went to Brewster, Nebraska, Brewster, but the other two ended nowhere. * Omaha, Lincoln and Beatrice Railway (OL&B) - formed in 1903 to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
between Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, Omaha, also from the former to Beatrice, Nebraska, Beatrice on which no work was ever done. A five-mile (8 km) line was built from downtown Lincoln to Bethany, Nebraska, Bethany, and grading for a further five miles. Grading was also done west of South Omaha, Nebraska, South Omaha. The Omaha and Lincoln Railway was allied to the project, and opened from Omaha to Papillion, Nebraska, Papillion in 1914. The OL&B survives to this day (2020) as a switching railroad.


New Jersey

* Mercer and Somerset Railway - never completed a bridge over the Millstone River at Millstone, New Jersey, Millstone to link with the Millstone and New Brunswick Railroad before going bankrupt and being abandoned in 1880. * New Jersey and Pennsylvania Railroad - 1904 consolidated the Rockaway Valley Railroad (RVR) from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, Whitehouse Station to Watnong, and the Speedwell Lake Railroad (SLR) which was a failed attempt 1897 to build a line from Morristown, New Jersey, Morristown to a resort on Speedwell Lake. A serious attempt was made 1910 to extend the RVR to Morristown, over the grade of the SVR, but work was abandoned. Intended to build from Morristown to Paterson, New Jersey, Paterson and from Whitehouse to Flemington, New Jersey, Flemington. * New Jersey West Line Railroad - began 1870 to build from Newark, New Jersey, Newark to Bernardsville, New Jersey, Bernardsville via Union Township, Union County, New Jersey, Union, Millburn, New Jersey, Millburn and Summit, New Jersey, Summit. Only completed Summit to Bernardsville, which became part of the Gladstone Branch. * Trenton and Mercer County Traction - built an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
line from Trenton via Yardville, New Jersey, Yardville to Crosswicks, New Jersey, Crosswicks with the intention of going on to
Allentown Allentown may refer to several places in the United States and topics related to them: * Allentown, California, now called Toadtown, California * Allentown, Georgia, a town in Wilkinson County * Allentown, Illinois, an unincorporated community in T ...
. The
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
won a court case preventing a crossing at Yardville, and the line from there to Crosswicks was scrapped unused in 1917.


New Mexico

* Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway - Colmor Cutoff was begun 1930 from Felt, Oklahoma, the terminus of a line from Dodge City, Kansas, to Colmor (north of Wagon Mound, New Mexico, Wagon Mound) via Mount Dora, New Mexico, Mount Dora. This was to have been part of the company's transcontinental route. Only finished a stub from Mount Dora to Farley, and the rest was abandoned unfinished. * Santa Fe, Raton and Des Moines Railroad - began 1906 on a line from mines at Carisbrooke east of Raton, New Mexico, Raton to
Des Moines Des Moines () is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, ...
via Cunningham on the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Railway. The line from Cunningham to Des Moines was ready for rails when work was abandoned. This would have linked to the failed Santa Fe, Liberal and Englewood Railroad scheme. * St Louis, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Railroad - 1907 did some work on an extension from its terminus at Ute Park, New Mexico, Ute Park to Taos, New Mexico, Taos, including a tunnel at Eagle Nest Lake State Park, Eagle Nest Lake.


New York

* New York and New England Railroad, Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad - this predecessor of the New York and New England Railroad took over the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut Railroad line from Hopewell Junction, New York, Hopewell Junction to Dutchess Junction on the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
main line in 1868, and tried to build a car ferry terminal on Dennings Point to link with the
Erie Railroad The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the northeastern United States, originally connecting New York City — more specifically Jersey City, New Jersey, where Erie's Pavonia Terminal, long demolished, used to stand — with Lake Erie ...
terminal across the Hudson River at Newburgh, New York, Newburgh. Remains survive. * Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester Railway - 1904 tried to build a heavy-rail electric interurban from Buffalo to Rochester, New York, Rochester via Batavia, New York, Batavia, but only finished a two-mile stub in Batavia which it operated as a little streetcar service. * Buffalo, Corning and New York Railroad - 1851 began a line from Corning, New York, Corning to Buffalo, New York, Buffalo, and completed it to Batavia, New York, Batavia. Work from Batavia in the direction of Buffalo was abandoned. * Buffalo Southern Railway - this
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
system (nothing to do with the Buffalo Southern Railroad) tried to build a line from Ebenezer, New York, Ebenezer to East Aurora, New York, East Aurora 1907, but only opened to East Seneca, New York, East Seneca. * Buffalo, Thousand Islands and Portland Railroad - chartered 1890 to build terminal lines in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls area for the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad (RW&O) to get to Buffalo and the
Lehigh Valley Railroad The Lehigh Valley Railroad was a railroad built in the Northeastern United States to haul anthracite coal from the Coal Region in Pennsylvania. The railroad was authorized on April 21, 1846 for freight and transportation of passengers, goods, w ...
LVR to get to the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge. The RW&O became part of the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
(NYC) system in 1891, but work on grading went ahead. The company still existed in 1908, but the LVR obtained trackage rights over the NYC instead and stopped short at Tonawanda Junction. The right of way between Buffalo (Main & Erie) and Niagara Falls was used by the International Railway (New York–Ontario), International Railway electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
for its ''Fast Line'', opened 1918, but between North Tonawanda Junction and Tonawanda Junction (LVR), and Main & Erie and East Buffalo (LVR), it was abandoned. * Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad - graded from its terminus at Davenport Center, New York, Davenport Center through Harpersfield, New York, Harpersfield towards Cooksburg, New York, Cooksburg, but abandoned this in 1890. * Delaware and Northern Railroad, Delaware and Eastern Railroad - 1907 began construction of an extension by a subsidiary company, the Schenectady and Margaretville Railroad, from Arkville, New York, Arkville parallel to the Ulster and Delaware Railroad to Grand Gorge station, Grand Gorge and then to Schenectady, New York, Schenectady. Abandoned grade through Prattsville (town), New York, Prattsville. * Delhi and Middletown Railroad- began 1870 to build between
Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders w ...
to Arkville, New York, Arkville via
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
but went bankrupt in the 1873 financial panic. The grade between Andes and Arkville was appropriated by the Delaware and Northern Railroad, Delaware and Eastern Railroad for its ''Andes Branch'', and that between Delhi and Andes by the failed Delaware Railroad. * Lake Ontario, Auburn and New York Railroad - 1853 graded most of a line from Fair Haven, New York, Fair Haven to
Ithaca Ithaca most commonly refers to: *Homer's Ithaca, an island featured in Homer's ''Odyssey'' *Ithaca (island), an island in Greece, possibly Homer's Ithaca *Ithaca, New York, a city, and home of Cornell University and Ithaca College Ithaca, Ithaka ...
via Auburn, New York, Auburn. Most of this ''Murdock Line'' was taken up by later railroads, except for the section graded from South Lansing, New York, South Lansing to Ithaca. * New York and Putnam Railroad, New York, Boston and Montreal Railroad - 1873 consolidated several small railroads and began links between them to provide a trunk route from New York to Rutland (city), Vermont, Rutland, Vermont. Quickly went bankrupt, but was responsible for the New York and Putnam Railroad. Abandoned grading exists between Carmel, New York, Carmel and Clove Valley, also Pine Plains, New York, Pine Plains and Chatham, New York, Chatham. * Cedarhurst Cut-off, New York and Rockaway Railroad this subsidiary of the History of the Long Island Rail Road, Long Island Railroad built from Hillside station (LIRR), Hillside to Far Rockaway, Queens, Far Rockaway in 1872. The portion between Springfield Junction and Cedarhurst (nicknamed the ''Cedarhurst Cut-off'') was abandoned 1876, relaid with third rail for electric trains 1908, scrapped again 1918, re-laid again 1928 and scrapped finally in 1936. It never saw a revenue train in the 20th century. * West Shore Railroad, New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad - 1885 was in the process of building a large passenger terminal station in Buffalo, on Michigan Street just north of the Chicago Street station of the
Erie Railroad The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the northeastern United States, originally connecting New York City — more specifically Jersey City, New Jersey, where Erie's Pavonia Terminal, long demolished, used to stand — with Lake Erie ...
. The NYC purchased the bankrupt railroad in that year, and cancelled the project. * Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad - 1872 this narrow-gauge line graded sections of its proposed line between Rochester, New York, Rochester and Mount Morris, New York, Mount Morris. Abandoned on bankruptcy 1877. * Sackets Harbor and Saratoga Railroad Company, Sackets Harbor and Saratoga Railroad - chartered 1848 to build from Saratoga Springs, New York, Saratoga Springs to Sackets Harbor, New York, Sackets Harbor. What was built became the Delaware and Hudson Railroad branch to North Creek, and disjunctive lengths of grading survive from the latter place to
Carthage Carthage was the capital city of Ancient Carthage, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis in what is now Tunisia. Carthage was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean and one of the most affluent cities of the classi ...
. * Second Avenue Subway - proposed 1920, began 1972, halted 1975, began again 2007, might be open 2029. * Suffolk Traction Company, Suffolk Traction - was building an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
line from its terminus at Holtsville station to Port Jefferson, New York, Port Jefferson when it went bankrupt in 1920.


North Carolina

* Appalachian Interurban Railway - 1905 proposed an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Hendersonville, North Carolina, Hendersonville to Asheville, North Carolina, Asheville, and in the following year also from Hendersonville to Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Rutherfordton via Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock. Opened a horsecar line from Laurel Park, North Carolina, Laurel Park to Rainbow Lake as the first part of the former. The equipment was three cars and three horses named ''Appalachian'', ''Electric'' and ''Interurban''. Taken over by the local streetcar company, Henderson Traction (which used battery cars), in 1912. * Asheville and Northern Railway - 1905 projected as a steam road from Asheville, North Carolina, Asheville north-eastwards via Weaverville, North Carolina, Weaverville, Mars Hill, Faust and English to the Tennessee border and a connection with the Clinchfield Railroad beyond. Affiliated with the Asheville and Craggy Mountain Railroad. Morphed into a small electric interurban to Weaverville, the Asheville and Eastern Tennessee Railroad, which got no further. * Tallulah Falls Railway, Blue Ridge and Atlantic Railroad - 1888 bought a pre-existing railroad from Cornelia, Georgia, to Tallulah Falls, Georgia, in order to extend it to Maryville, Tennessee, and create a low-level trunk route from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Savannah, Georgia. Failed, but its successor the Tallulah Falls Railway built on its grade to Franklin, North Carolina, Franklin. * Carolina and Northeastern Railroad - formed 1917 and opened a line from Gummberry near Weldon, North Carolina, Weldon to Lasker, North Carolina, Lasker. Lasker to Ahoskie, North Carolina, Ahoskie was never completed. * Carolina and Tennessee Southern Railroad - 1915 intended to connect with the Tennessee and Carolina Southern Railroad through the Deals Gap, North Carolina, Deals Gap, but only got to Fontana from Bushnell. This was the last of several attempts at this low-level route from Knoxville to Savannah. See Blue Ridge and Atlantic Railroad above.


North Dakota

* Midland Continental Railroad - began 1906 to build a mid-continent north-south railroad line between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. Achieved a short line between Edgeley, North Dakota, Edgeley and Wimbledon, North Dakota, Wimbledon via Jamestown, North Dakota, Jamestown. * Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad - the line to Sanish, North Dakota, Sanish was meant to have gone on to Fairview, Montana, but work stopped at the site of the proposed Missouri River bridge in 1914.


Ohio

* American Midland Railway - 1889 proposed a direct route from Jersey City, New Jersey, Jersey City to
Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...
and Chicago with, a branch to St. Louis. This would have been via a low-grade crossing of the Allegheny Mountains through Pennsylvania. Only built Findlay, Ohio, Findlay to Fort Wayne, and became the Findlay, Fort Wayne and Western Railway which went on to be part of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway (1846–1917), Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway. * Cincinnati, Columbus and Atlantic Railroad - 1882 took on a project for a narrow-gauge line from Cincinnati to Nelsonville, Ohio, Nelsonville. Completed to Newtonsville, Ohio, Newtonsville and graded to Hillsboro, Ohio, Hillsboro but opened nothing before being wound up in 1891. A separate section (standard-gauge) was completed, and then operated 1890 from Kingston, Ohio, Kingston to Adelphi, Ohio, Adelphi as the Marietta, Hocking and Northern Railroad. Two interurbans, the Cleveland and Columbus Railway (to Hillsboro) and the Cincinnati, Milford and Blanchester Railway, utilised part of the grade to Hillsboro. Another bit was taken over by the Columbus, Lancaster and Wellston Railway (see below). * Cincinnati, Georgetown and Portsmouth Railroad - 1881 was constructing a line from Cincinnati to Portsmouth, Ohio, Portsmouth, but only got to Russellville, Ohio, Russellville. Grading from there to West Union, Ohio, West Union was abandoned. * Columbus and Lake Michigan Railroad - 1902 took over from the Columbus, Lima and Milwaukee Railroad a scheme for a line from Columbus, Ohio, Columbus to Saugatuck, Michigan, and a ferry to
Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
. The section from Lima, Ohio, Lima to Defiance, Ohio, Defiance had been completed, and Columbus to Lima was being graded. The completed section became part of the Ohio Electric Railway, Indiana, Columbus and Eastern Traction interurban in 1906. * Columbus, Lancaster and Wellston Railway - began 1895 to build a line between Columbus, Ohio, Columbus and Wellston, Ohio, Wellston. Opened from near Stoutsville, Ohio, Stoutsville to South Bloomingville, Ohio, South Bloomingville and prepared a further four miles to Ash Cave. This, and the line from Laurelville, Ohio, Laurelville to South Bloomingville had been originally graded by the Cincinnati, Columbus and Atlantic Railroad (see above). Ended up as the Columbus and Southern Railroad without achieving anything further. * Columbus, New Albany and Johnstown Traction - began 1900 to build an interurban from Columbus, Ohio, Columbus to Johnstown, Ohio, Johnstown via New Albany, Ohio, New Albany. Only opened a stub to Gahanna, Ohio, Gahanna (then a small village) which was taken over by the city streetcar company. * Columbus, Urbana and Western Railway - as the Urbana, Mechanicsburg and Columbus Electric Railway initiated an interurban project from Columbus to Urbana, Ohio, Urbana via Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Mechanicsburg in 1900. Changed name in 1904 for a new effort. Only achieved a very short line 1903 from Columbus to Fishinger Bridge near Griggs Dam. * Fairport, Painesville and Eastern Railroad - began 1910 to build from Fairport, Ohio, Fairport to Austinburg, Ohio, Austinburg on the
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
, but only eventually reached Harpersfield Township. * Lake Erie, Bowling Green and Napoleon Railway - before it went bankrupt in 1911, had opened from Bowling Green, Ohio, Bowling Green to Woodville, Ohio, Woodville and a junction with the Lake Shore Electric Railway, and was building to Port Clinton, Ohio, Port Clinton. Also, it had opened Bowling Green to Tontogany, Ohio, Tontogany and was aiming at Napoleon, Ohio, Napoleon and Defiance, Ohio, Defiance. * Lake Erie and Pittsburgh Railway - began 1903 to build a line between Lorain, Ohio, Lorain and Youngstown, Ohio, Youngstown. Only the portion between Macey on the Cleveland Short Line Railway and Brady Lake, Ohio, Brady Lake was completed. * Lorain and West Virginia Railroad - began 1906 on a line from Lorain, Ohio, Lorain to the West Virginia line at or near Marietta, Ohio, Marietta. Co-opted by the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (1916–1988), Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway, which opened Lorain to Wellington, Ohio, Wellington to gain access to the former place and abandoned the rest. * Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad - began 1870 to build from Mansfield, Ohio, Mansfield to Allegan, Michigan, via Tiffin, Ohio, Tiffin, Fostoria, Ohio, Fostoria, Napoleon, Ohio, Napoleon, Montpelier, Ohio, Montpelier, Coldwater, Michigan, Monteith near Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Allegan, Michigan. Completed Mansfield to Tiffin, which became part of the
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
, and Monteith to Allegan and left substantial uncompleted works of the rest in Ohio and Michigan including grades north and south of Coldwater. * Ohio Southern Railroad (1881–1898), Ohio Southern Railroad - 1883 took over the Cincinnati, Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad line from Claysville Junction north of Waynesville, Ohio, Waynesville to Jeffersonville, Ohio, Jeffersonville which was to have gone on to Columbus, Ohio, Columbus. Tried to build to the latter place as well and to Cincinnati, but failed and only opened Jeffersonville to Sedalia (now Midway, Ohio, Midway) and from McKay's Station to Kingman, Ohio, Kingman. * Springfield, South Charleston, Washington Court House and Chillicothe Traction - 1904 proposed an electric interurban line from Springfield, Ohio, Springfield to Chillicothe, Ohio, Chillicothe but was only able to complete to South Charleston, Ohio, South Charleston. Tried again in 1908 to get to Washington Court House, Ohio, Washington Court House only, but to no avail. * Toledo, Angola and Western Railway - began 1902 on a steam road from Toledo, Ohio, Toledo to Angola, Indiana, but only managed to finish a short quarry line to Silica. * Toledo, Delphos and Indianapolis Railway - began a narrow gauge line from Toledo, Ohio, Toledo to
Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
. Built Holgate, Ohio, Holgate through Delphos, Ohio, Delphos to the Indiana state line north-west of Celina, Ohio, Celina, but was not opened west of Rockford, Ohio, Rockford (formerly Shanes Crossing). North of Delphos went to the Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad, south to the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway (1846–1917), Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway. * Toledo and Indiana Railway - opened 1905 from Toledo, Ohio, Toledo to Bryan, Ohio, Bryan, but got no further. The best of several attempts to extend into Indiana came from the Fort Wayne and Toledo Electric Railway grading between Fort Wayne towards Bryant. The T&I tried to take this work over after the FW&T failed after 1913, with a line from Delta, Ohio, Delta via Napoleon, Ohio, Napoleon and Defiance, Ohio, Defiance instead of Bryan. * Toledo and Western Railway - built 1903 from Toledo, Ohio, Toledo to Pioneer, Ohio, Pioneer and graded in the direction of Angola, Indiana, Angola in the hope of connecting with the Northern Indiana Railway and creating a through interurban route from Toledo to Chicago. Part of this grade was used by the St Joseph Valley Railway which had the same idea.


Oklahoma

* Denver, Wichita and Memphis Railway - operated 1905 to 1910, a 14 mile (22.5 km) stub running south-east of Catoosa, Oklahoma, Catoosa. * Oklahoma, New Mexico and Pacific Railway - 1913 began a line from Ardmore, Oklahoma, Ardmore to Lawton, Oklahoma, Lawton but only opened to Ringling, Oklahoma, Ringling. Incorporated a subsidiary, the Ringling and Oilfields Railway to build to Oklahoma City 1916, which opened a short stub to Healdton, Oklahoma, Healdton. * Oklahoma-Southwestern Railway - 1920 began a line from Bristow, Oklahoma, Bristow to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee but only completed to Nuyaka.


Oregon

* Oregon Pacific Railroad (1880–1894), Oregon Pacific Railroad - incorporated 1880 to build a line from the Pacific coast at Yaquina, Oregon, Yaquina (now a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
) to Boise, Idaho. Opened to Idanha, Oregon, Idanha, graded to the Santiam Pass to establish a claim, also in the valley of the Malheur River. Bankrupt 1890.


Pennsylvania

* Allen Street Railway - opened an interurban trolley line between Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Nazareth and Bath, Pennsylvania, Bath in 1906, which also handled freight. Prevented from crossing a spur of the Lehigh and New England Railroad to the Penn-Dixie #5 Cement Plant, and had to operate in two sections. * Altoona and Beech Creek Railroad - failed to complete an extension to Fallentimber, Pennsylvania, Fallentimber in 1903. * Chambersburg and Gettysburg Railroad - 1890 began a steam road from Conococheague near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Chambersburg to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Gettysburg but only completed to Wolf Hill, 10 miles (16 km). Operated briefly to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, Fayetteville, two miles (3 km), but was abandoned in 1893. Not to be confused with the following. * Chambersburg and Gettysburg Electric Railway - 1903 began an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Chambersburg to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Gettysburg, but only opened to Caledonia State Park. Not on the same alignment as the previous. * Chartiers Southern Railroad - began construction from Thompsonville, Pennsylvania, Thompsonville to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Waynesburg in 1906, but only managed to complete two separate branches extending a
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
line from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, Brownsville. These were Besco to Mather, and Crucible to Nemacolin. The uncompleted main line from Thompsonville to Mather was abandoned, and the route from Mather to Waynesburg was completed by the Monongahela Railway in 1930. * Johnstown and Somerset Railway - 1921 tried to build an electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Johnstown to Somerset, Pennsylvania, Somerset, but only opened to Jerome, Pennsylvania, Jerome. * Montgomery and Chester Electric Railway - 1899 built a trolley line from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Phoenixville to Spring City, Pennsylvania, Spring City and by 1915 graded to a connection with the Pottstown Passenger Railway (the Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Pottstown streetcar system) via Royersford, Pennsylvania, Royersford. * Mount Pleasant and Latrobe Railroad - began 1881 on a line from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Mount Pleasant to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Latrobe. Only opened a short spur to a coal mine. *
Pennsylvania Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad (reporting mark PRR), legal name The Pennsylvania Railroad Company also known as the "Pennsy", was an American Class I railroad that was established in 1846 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named ...
- Oxford Road Branch of the Connecting Railway at Philadelphia was the completed stub of the Philadelphia, Bustleton and Trenton Railroad, intended to run to Fallsington, Pennsylvania, Fallsington via Bustleton, Pennsylvania, Bustleton. Work on the rest was done between 1893 and 1896 before being abandoned. * Phoenixville, Valley Forge and Strafford Electric Railway - 1909 began to build from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Phoenixville to Strafford, Pennsylvania, Strafford via Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Valley Forge, but only opened to the latter place. * Pittsburg and Eastern Railroad - began 1895 to build from Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, Mahaffey to West Newton, Pennsylvania, West Newton, as a way for the
New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midw ...
(NYC) to get into Pittsburgh. Work was begun on the section to Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Saltsburg. Only opened to Arcadia, Pennsylvania, Arcadia as a coal-mine extension of the Beech Creek Railroad NYC subsidiary. *Scranton, Montrose and Binghamton Railroad - only completed from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Scranton to its branch to Montrose, Pennsylvania, Montrose, but failed to finish to Binghamton, New York. * Shady Gap Railroad - 1885 graded from Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, Orbsonia on the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company (EBT) to Burnt Cabins, Pennsylvania, Burnt Cabins and interchange with the South Pennsylvania Railroad, but only opened eventually to Neelyton, Pennsylvania, Neelyton as part of the EBT.


South Carolina

* Augusta Northern Railway - intended as a trunk line from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Spartansburg to Augusta, Georgia, via Whitmire, South Carolina, Whitmire, Newberry, South Carolina, Newberry and Saluda, South Carolina, Saluda but only completed a dead-end short line to the last named from Ward, South Carolina, Ward in 1912. * Blue Ridge Railway (1901), Blue Ridge Railroad of South Carolina - began 1852 on a line from Anderson, South Carolina, Anderson to Knoxville, Tennessee, but only eventually opened to Walhalla, South Carolina, Walhalla. The uncompleted portion includes several tunnels, including the Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel. * Charlotte, Monroe and Columbia Railroad - began 1901 to build from McBee, South Carolina, McBee to Monroe, North Carolina, but dead-ended at Jefferson, South Carolina, Jefferson. * Chesterfield and Lancaster Railroad - began 1900 to build from Cheraw, South Carolina, Cheraw to Lancaster, South Carolina, Lancaster, but only opened to Crowburk just beyond Pageland, South Carolina, Pageland.


South Dakota

* Aberdeen, Bismarck and North Western Railroad - graded a line from Aberdeen, South Dakota, Aberdeen to Bismarck, North Dakota 1887, but did not lay track. Taken over by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad 1888, which only laid track on the North Dakota portion. Aberdeen to Leola, South Dakota, Leola went to the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway 1906, Leola to Long Lake, South Dakota, Long Lake to the Mound City and Eastern Railway 1929 but Long Lake to Ashley, North Dakota, was never used. * Aberdeen, Fergus Falls and Pierre Railroad - 1886 began a railroad from Pierre, South Dakota, Pierre via Aberdeen, South Dakota, Aberdeen to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Aberdeen to Rutland, North Dakota, Rutland became a line of the Great Northern Railway (U.S.) but grading from Aberdeen to Pierre was abandoned. * Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway -Pacific Extension - a beginning was made 1908 on a bridge over the Missouri River at LeBeau, South Dakota, Lebeau and a line westwards in the direction of Broadus, Montana. The north-west corner of South Dakota with the south-east one of Montana were to remain a railroad-free zone, however. * Mound City and Eastern Railway - opened 1929 from Leola, South Dakota, Leola to Long Lake, South Dakota, Long Lake, and left abandoned grading on the route to Mound City, South Dakota, Mound City which it never reached.


Tennessee

* Chicago, Memphis and Gulf Railroad - the Hickman Division of the
Illinois Central Railroad The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A line also co ...
(IC) from Dyersburg, Tennessee, Dyersburg to Hickman, Kentucky, was begun in 1909 as part of a low-level trunk line from Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis to the Metropolis Bridge over the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky, via Clinton, Kentucky, and Moscow, Kentucky. The IC was still promoting the scheme in 1915. * Decatur, Chesapeake and New Orleans Railway - began 1889 to build a trunk line from Gallatin, Tennessee, Gallatin to Decatur, Alabama, via Shelbyville, Tennessee, Shelbyville and Fayetteville, Tennessee, Fayetteville. The line was complete between the last two places and awaiting rails on bankruptcy. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad took over in 1893 and concentrated on the Fayetteville to Decatur portion, but this only eventually reached a dead end at Capshaw, Alabama. * Duck River Valley Narrow Gauge Railway - 1877 began a narrow-gauge line from a port on the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, Tennessee, Johnsonville to Fayetteville, Tennessee, Fayetteville via Centerville, Tennessee, Centerville and Columbia, Tennessee, Columbia. Only completed from Columbia to Fayetteville. * Knoxville and Charleston Railroad - 1867 began a trunk line from Knoxville, Tennessee, Knoxville to Charleston, South Carolina, but only reached Maryville, Tennessee, Maryville. Became the Knoxville and Augusta Railroad 1879. There was never to be a railroad through the Deals Gap, North Carolina, Deals Gap Pass, despite several other attempts. The Tennessee & Carolina Southern Railway used abandoned grade to get to Calderwood, Tennessee, Calderwood in 1924, but no further. * Middle and East Tennessee Central Railway - began 1883 on a line from the Chesapeake and Nashville Railway near Bethpage, Tennessee, Bethpage to Knoxville, Tennessee, Knoxville, but only completed to Hartsville, Tennessee, Hartsville. * Oneida and Western Railroad - began a line 1913 from Oneida, Tennessee, Oneida to Albany, Kentucky, but only opened to Jamestown, Tennessee, Jamestown. * Tennessee Midland Railroad - 1888 began a direct-route trunk line from Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol but only completed to Perryville, Tennessee, Perryville. * Tennessee and Sequatchie Valley Railroad - 1882 began a narrow gauge line from a landing on the Tennessee River near Spring City, Tennessee, Spring City to Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville. Claimed to have laid 42 miles (68 km) in 1883, when it went bankrupt. Succeeded by the Tennessee Central Railroad (nothing to do with the Tennessee Central Railway) which had track from Rhea (now drowned by a reservoir) through Spring City and Jewett to Litton in 1889 but only operated Spring City to Jewett, 12 miles (19 km). * Troy and Tiptonville Railroad - 1887 began a line from Moffat south-east of Rives, Tennessee, Rives to Tiptonville, Tennessee, Tiptonville via Troy, Tennessee, Troy but only opened to the latter.


Texas

* Beaumont and Great Northern Railroad - the ''Orphan Line'' between Livingston, Texas, Livingston and Weldon, Texas, Weldon, a detached portion of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad, was a fragment of a trunk line scheme begun 1905 between Beaumont, Texas, Beaumont and Waco, Texas, Waco. Another attempt was made after the Katy dumped the line, as the Waco, Beaumont, Trinity and Sabine Railway in 1923. * Corpus Christi Street and Interurban Railway - the streetcar company of Corpus Christi, Texas, Corpus Christi had this name because it began to build an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric line to Ward Island (Texas), Ward Island in 1916. * Denison, Bonham and New Orleans Railroad - 1901 was building between its terminus at Bonham, Texas, Bonham and Wolfe City, Texas, Wolfe City. * Eastland, Wichita Falls and Gulf Railway - 1918 began a line from May, Texas, May, the terminus of the Brownwood North and South Railway, to Newcastle, Texas, Newcastle via Mangum, Texas, Mangum and Breckwalker south of Breckenridge, Texas, Breckenridge. Only opened Mangum to Breckwalker. * Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway - 1885 set out to build a trunk line from Fort Worth, Texas, Fort Worth to Eagle Pass, Texas, Eagle Pass with a branch to San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio. The hope was to reach the Pacific coast at Topolobampo in Mexico. Only eventually completed to a dead end at Menard, Texas, Menard. * Gulf and Brazos Valley Railway - began 1897 on a line from Peck City on the Texas and Pacific Railway south of Mineral Wells, Texas, Mineral Wells to the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...
at Stoneburg, Texas, Stoneburg. Only opened a stub from Peck City to Mineral Wells 1900, but this was in direct competition with the Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway and was abandoned 1903. * Galveston, Brazos and Colorado Narrow Gauge Railway - began 1875 to build a narrow-gauge railroad from Galveston along the length of the island to a bridge over the San Luis Pass (Galveston Island), San Luis Pass, then along the Colorado River (Texas), Colorado River to Austin, Texas, Austin. Only built fifteen miles (24 km) from Galveston to a place (now gone) called Seaforth. Taken over by the Galveston and Western Railway in 1888. * Greenville Northwestern Railway - 1913 began to build an
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
electric line from Anna, Texas, Anna to Greenville, Texas, Greenville via Blue Ridge, Texas, Blue Ridge but only opened to the latter place and never electrified. * Gulf, Texas and Western Railway - 1910 was building from Lubbock, Texas, Lubbock to Dallas via Benjamin, Texas, Benjamin, Seymour, Texas, Seymour, Jacksboro, Texas, Jacksboro and Boonville, Texas, Boonville with a branch from the last named to Fort Worth, Texas, Fort Worth. Graded Benjamin to Seymour, opened Seymour to Jacksboro then built from there to the Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway at Salesville on a new alignment -and gave up on the rest. Boonville to Dallas was to have used the unused grade of the Dallas and New Mexico Railway. * Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway - Del Rio Branch - 1909 began a line from San Angelo, Texas, San Angelo to Del Rio, Texas, Del Rio to connect with the Mexican International Railroad at Ciudad Acuña in order to create a trunk route to Mexico City. Only opened eventually to a dead end at Sonora, Texas, Sonora in 1930. * Paris, Marshall and Sabine Pass Railway the line between Winnsboro, Texas, Winnsboro and Elysian Fields, Texas, Elysian Fields via Marshall, Texas, Marshall was a completed fragment of a trunk line scheme between Paris, Texas, Paris and the Sabine Pass. Begun 1888, had very many changes of name and ended as the Marshall and East Texas Railway. * Quanah, Acme and Pacific Railway - was intended to go to El Paso, Texas, El Paso, and be the means for the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway to become a transcontinental railroad. This proposal was shown on publicity material until 1928, when Floydada, Texas, Floydada was settled on as a destination. * Rio Grande Northern Railroad - 1893 began a line from Van Horn, Texas, Van Horn via Chispa on the
Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...
south of Lobo, Texas, Lobo and San Carlos (now a ghost town) to the Rio Grande at Sanchez Ranch. Only a spur from Chispa to a new coal mine at San Carlos was finished in 1895, but the company did not operate. The ''San Carlos Coal Company'' hired a locomotive on its own account to haul out a very few cars of coal before it failed and everything was junked in 1897. The line had a tunnel. * Rio Grande and Eagle Pass Railway - began 1885 on a line from Laredo, Texas, Laredo to Eagle Pass, Texas, Eagle Pass but only opened to Santo Tomás, Texas, Santo Tomás. * Trinity, Cameron and Western Railroad - 1892 set out to build from west from Cameron, Texas, Cameron to Austin, Texas, Austin via Granger, Texas, Granger and Georgetown, Texas, Georgetown. Granger to Austin became part of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad, but work nearer Cameron was abandoned. Eastwards, the hope was to build to Trinity, Texas, Trinity. * Peach River and Gulf Railway - 1904 proposed a line from Willis, Texas, Willis to Beaumont, Texas, Beaumont which would have given the International–Great Northern Railroad a route to the latter city. Only operated a lumber line at Timber on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway. * Riverside and Gulf Railway - 1907 proposed a line from Livingston, Texas, Livingston to Wallisville, Texas, Wallisville (which was then a port) via Milvid on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway. Only operated a logging line at the latter place until 1914. * Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railway Company - 1872 began a line from Houston to Presidio, Texas, Presidio on the Rio Grande. Reached Sealy, Texas, Sealy.


Utah

* Castle Valley Railway - begun 1901 as part of a cut-off between the Union Pacific Railroad at Milford, Utah, Milford and the
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to ''Rio Grande'', D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow-gauge line running south from De ...
near Green River, Utah, Green River. The later built from Salina, Utah, Salina eastwards, but only completed to Nioche in 1903. The line was damaged by flooding in 1903 and never had revenue service. Restoration was attempted 1913 and 1925, but the only revenue trains were from a coal mine at Crystal between 1929 and 1933. The route was to have been used by the California and Nevada Railroad, the 1884 proposed narrow-gauge transcontinental line. * Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway, Salt Lake and Los Angeles Railway - took over a short line from Salt Lake City to Saltair (Utah), Saltair in 1892, and intended to extend to Ophir, Utah, Ophir in the first instance by using the grade of the Utah Western Railway (1874-1881) to Stockton, Utah, Stockton (the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was in the future). Achieved nothing. Became Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway in 1916, electrified and tried to build into Garfield but could not cross the trunk line tracks at grade to reach downtown. * Sevier Railway - began 1891 to build from Manti, Utah, Manti to Parowan, Utah, Parowan but only opened to Marysvale, Utah, Marysvale. * Uintah Railway - intended to build a connection with the Denver and Salt Lake Railway at Vernal, Utah, Vernal, and a station was provided for it there in 1905. * Utah Eastern Railroad - 1880 began a narrow-gauge line from Coalville, Utah, Coalville to Salt Lake City via Park City, Utah, Park City in competition with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). Only opened Coalville to Park City, but the UP simultaneously opened a closely parallel standard-gauge branch between the same two places which made the small company's situation hopeless. The UP bought it out in 1883 to get rid of it.


Virginia

* Blackstone and Lunenburg Railroad - 1905 began a line from Blackstone, Virginia, Blackstone to Lunenburg, Virginia, Lunenburg but only opened to Dillard and became a short Norfolk and Western Railway branch. * Smithfield Terminal Railway - began 1948 to build a small network of industrial lines at Smithfield, Virginia, Smithfield to serve three meat packing plants from a ferry pier. The line had no access to the main railroad system, but relied on a car float from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway terminal at Newport News, Virginia, Newport News. Bankrupt and scrapped within a year, after laying one mile of track.


Washington State

*
Northern Pacific Railway The Northern Pacific Railway was a transcontinental railroad that operated across the northern tier of the western United States, from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. It was approved by Congress in 1864 and given nearly of land grants, whic ...
- Ellensburg Cut-off - the dead-end line from Warden, Washington, Warden to Schrag was a completed stub of a trunk line cut-off from Ritzville, Washington, Ritzville to Ellensburg, Washington, Ellensburg 1909. Abandoned grading exists between Schrag and Ritzville. * Oregon and Washington Railroad - this Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary began 1906 a line from Vancouver, Washington, Vancouver to Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma and Seattle, a repeat of the Portland and Puget Sound Railroad scheme (see below). A long tunnel under Tacoma to reach the waterfront was begun in 1909 but failed, and so the UP arranged trackage on the parallel
Northern Pacific Railway The Northern Pacific Railway was a transcontinental railroad that operated across the northern tier of the western United States, from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. It was approved by Congress in 1864 and given nearly of land grants, whic ...
instead of continuing to build from Vancouver. Reciprocal arrangements were made with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad to get to Seattle from Tacoma, but a new line with a tunnel under the city to a marine terminal on Salmon Bay was begun. Both tunnels were abandoned and sealed off. This was UP's third attempt at a Tacoma line. * Portland and Puget Sound Railroad - 1891 this Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary began a trunk line between what is now the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 5.1 at Portland, Oregon, and Mukilteo, Washington, Mukilteo via Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma and Seattle. The bridge was begun, and much grading between Vancouver, Washington, Vancouver and Tacoma, which was approached from due south. Work done was purchased 1902 by the
Northern Pacific Railway The Northern Pacific Railway was a transcontinental railroad that operated across the northern tier of the western United States, from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. It was approved by Congress in 1864 and given nearly of land grants, whic ...
which finished the bridge and the line from there to Kalama, Washington, Kalama. This was the first of three attempts by the UP to get to Tacoma. * Tacoma and Columbia River Railway - began work 1895 on a trunk line from Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma to The Dalles, Oregon, The Dalles on the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company (an affiliate of the Union Pacific Railroad). Took over two small suburban lines in Tacoma: Tacoma and Lake City Railroad and Navigation from 6th St & Union Ave to American Lake (already owned by UP), and Tacoma, Lake Park and Columbia River from Center Street to Spanaway, Washington, Spanaway (Lake Park). Was extending former to a proposed deep water port at Steilacoom, Washington, Steilacoom, and the latter as the main line which reached a location called ''Terminus'' before abandonment 1901. Some of the grades went to trolley lines, terminating at Spanaway, American Lake and Stellacoom. This was UP's second attempt at a Tacoma line. * Lewis and Clark Railway, Vancouver, Klickitat and Yakima Railroad - 1888 began a line from Vancouver, Washington, Vancouver to Yakima, Washington, Yakima via the Klickitat Pass. Only eventually managed a dead-end line to Yacolt, Washington, Yacolt.


West Virginia

* Parkersburg and Ohio Valley Electric Railway - began 1903 to build a major electric
interurban The Interurban (or radial railway in Europe and Canada) is a type of electric railway, with streetcar-like electric self-propelled rail cars which run within and between cities or towns. They were very prevalent in North America between 1900 a ...
between Wheeling, West Virginia, Wheeling and Parkersburg, West Virginia, Parkersburg. Opened five miles (8 km) between Sistersville, West Virginia, Sistersville and Friendly, West Virginia, Friendly. The latter place was claimed as one of the smallest settlements in the USA with a dedicated interurban service, since it only had 217 residents at the time.


Wisconsin

* Cazenovia Southern Railroad - 1907 intended to connect Cazenovia, Wisconsin, Cazenovia with Lone Rock, Wisconsin, Lone Rock, Sauk City, Wisconsin, Sauk City and La Valle, Wisconsin, La Valle, but only reached the last place.


Wyoming

* Laramie, North Park and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - 1880 began a line from Laramie, Wyoming, Laramie through Medicine Bow, Wyoming, Medicine Bow in the hope of connecting to a proposed line to Grand Junction, Colorado, but only reached Soda Lake. * Wyoming North and South Railroad - 1923 proposed a trunk line from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada to Craig, Colorado, via Miles City, Montana, Sheridan, Wyoming, Sheridan and Casper, Wyoming, Casper. Only opened Casper to Midwest, Wyoming, Midwest but graded towards Sheridan and into Montana before bankruptcy in 1924.


Military railway facilities

The following abortive projects were intended for the use of armed forces.


Australia

* During World War II a number of extra crossing loops were built between Werris Creek and Wallangarra, but were not brought into use. * During World War II triangle junctions were built at Griffith, New South Wales, Griffith, Stockinbingal, which were removed soon after the war. A triangle at Goobang Junction near Parkes, New South Wales, Parkes from west to south was only partly built. It was finally completed around 2000.


Germany

* Strategic Railway Embankment - The German government ordered the construction of a dedicated military railway in 1904, running from the Ruhr towards the western border of Germany. This was solely in order to enable the rapid deployment of troops. The project was never completed.


Construction interrupted for decades

The following projects were completed long after initial abandonment.


Australia

* Rail transport in New South Wales, New South Wales Railways - Sandy Hollow–Gulgong railway line, Sandy Hollow–Maryvale railway was commenced in the 1930s, when construction was suspended for decades. The section from Sandy Hollow to Gulgong was completed in the 1980s. * The Ghan - the project to build a south-to-north Australian transcontinental railway was begun in 1878 at Port Augusta, but only reached Alice Springs as a narrow-gauge line in 1930. There it stalled until 1980, when a new standard-gauge line on a different route was opened. This was extended to Darwin, Northern Territory in 2004, 126 years after work had started.


Mexico

* Ferrocarril Kansas City, Mexico y Oriente - this Mexican subsidiary of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway was to have been part of a trunk line from Kansas City to the Pacific port of Topolobampo. When the company went bankrupt in 1912 it had built three separate sections between Topolobampo and Presidio, Texas: ''Pacific Division'' between Topolobampo and El Fuerte, ''Mountain Division'' between Sánchez and Miñaca and ''Chihuahua Division'' between Chihuahua City and Marquéz. El Fuerte to Sánchez only opened in 1961 as part of the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico, and Marquéz to Presidio opened in 1930.


United Kingdom

* Channel Tunnel - Tunnelling began in 1881 for a year, was resumed in 1988 and the tunnel finally opened in 1994. * National Coal Board ** Calverton, Nottinghamshire, Calverton Colliery was opened in 1951, and its railway used the abandoned route of the Mid-Nottinghamshire Joint Railway from Bestwood Park Junction, left uncompleted 1931. ** Abernant Colliery was opened in 1956, and its railway used the uncompleted line abandoned by the
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
south of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen in 1923. * Surrey and Sussex Junction Railway - this subsidiary of the
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR; known also as the Brighton line, the Brighton Railway or the Brighton) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1846 to 1922. Its territory formed a rough triangle, with London at its ...
did substantial work on a line from Croydon to Tunbridge Wells in 1864, but was abandoned without rails being laid. In 1884, the project was revived and completed -it is now the Oxted line.


Unused infrastructure improvements

The following projects resulted in abortive improvements to existing railways.


Provided for unfulfilled future needs


Australia

* Central railway station, Sydney, platforms 26 and 27. * St James railway station, Sydney, platforms 2 and 3. * North Sydney railway station, flying junction tunnel for never built line to Manly, New South Wales, Manly. * Wynyard railway station, Sydney, Wynyard platforms 1 and 2 to North Sydney railway station, North Sydney never used for rail, used for trams, then converted to car parking use. * North Sydney railway station, North Sydney to Chatswood, New South Wales, Chatswood four-tracking, partially built never used. * Redfern railway station, Redfern to Sydenham, New South Wales, Sydenham six-tracking, partially built, never completed. * Overbridge on A4085.


United Kingdom

* Great Central Railway - built its Marylebone station terminus building in London at twice the width of the platforms behind. This was to accommodate extra platforms when traffic expanded, which never happened. The London Extension was built with two tracks, but engineered for a future four. * Caledonian Railway ** The Caledonian Railway lines to Edinburgh, Leith New Lines opened in 1903 and had passenger stations at Newhaven, Ferry Road, Leith Walk and Seafield which were never used. ** Paisley and Barrhead District Railway -two lines flanking the west and east sides of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Paisley met at Barrhead and continued to . Passenger services were planned, but when the system was opened in 1905 they were not inaugurated because of anticipated tramway competition. Passenger stations built but never used were , Staneley, Glenfield railway station (Scotland), Glenfield, , , and . The triangular junction at Paisley East was never used. * Elham Valley Railway - opened 1889, between and . The only traffic was between Canterbury and Folkestone with the small villages in between, since it formed part of no through route. It was, however, built with double track. The second track was completely redundant, since a single passing place sufficed. * Hull and Barnsley and Great Central Joint Railway - planned passenger services to a new terminus at with stations at Snaith & Pollington, , and . The line opened 1916, but no passenger service was ever provided. *
London, Chatham and Dover Railway The London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR or LC&DR) was a railway company in south-eastern England created on 1 August 1859, when the East Kent Railway was given parliamentary approval to change its name. Its lines ran through London and nor ...
- built a terminus station at Margate in 1864, separate from its main station, for an intensive local service to Ramsgate via Broadstairs. This was never inaugurated, and the unused station eventually became the core of the Dreamland Margate, Dreamland Amusement Park. *
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
** Meon Valley Railway, Meon Valley Line - was built as a main line connecting the towns of Gosport and Fareham with London. Opened in 1903; engineered for double track although only one was provided. The main line service was a failure, and through trains were withdrawn in 1915. The track was never doubled. ** Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line, Nile Valley Line - was intended as part of a trunk line between
Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
and Birmingham via a junction at Whitchurch, Hampshire, Whitchurch with the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway, and was engineered accordingly. The DN&SR refused to build the authorised junction spur at Whitchurch, choosing to build to Southampton instead (it failed to complete), and the Nile Valley Line was left with very limited local traffic. *
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent ceremonial counties of England, counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and He ...
, Aldwych tube station, Aldwych to Holborn line - opened 1907. This very short tube line had two tunnels, two platforms at either end, three lift (elevator) shafts and two lift-to-platform corridors. Two of the shafts and one of the corridors were never used, and the eastern tunnel with one from each pair of platforms was abandoned in 1914. *
Midland Railway The Midland Railway (MR) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844. The Midland was one of the largest railway companies in Britain in the early 20th century, and the largest employer in Derby, where it had its headquarters. It am ...
- the Yeadon railway station (England), Yeadon branch to Yeadon, West Yorkshire was provided with a fully fitted passenger station on completion in 1894, which never saw a train service.


Interrupted by outbreak of war


Germany

* Freilassing–Berchtesgaden railway - Work was suspended on double-tracking in 1938, and part of line left with work uncompleted was abandoned and replaced with a bus service.


United Kingdom

*
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR; known also as the Brighton line, the Brighton Railway or the Brighton) was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1846 to 1922. Its territory formed a rough triangle, with London at its ...
- quadrupling of its main line from London to
Brighton Brighton () is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze A ...
. Work had reached the north portal of Balcombe tunnel by 1914, and land purchased for the portal of the new bore. The Southern Railway abandoned the project, and left the rest of the line double-track. *
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent ceremonial counties of England, counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and He ...
** Extension of Central line (London Underground), Central line to along a pre-existing
Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran ...
line was curtailed by World War II, and only completed to West Ruislip station in 1948. ** Extension of Northern line by electrifying pre-existing railways from Finsbury Park station to Edgware with a branch to Alexandra Palace was suspended 1940 owing to World War II. Work abandoned 1953, except for short branch to Mill Hill East tube station, Mill Hill East.


Failed motive power systems

Work was done on prototypes of the following newly invented motive power systems, which proved to be failures by either not entering commercial operation at all or needing speedy abandonment once installed.


France

*Aérotrain - a hover monorail system was developed between 1965 and 1977 by Jean Bertin. Four experimental tracks (one in the USA) and five prototypes were built before abandonment.


Germany

* Gyro monorail#Scherl's car, Scherl Monorail - the German publisher August Scherl arranged a one-day demonstration of a Gyro monorail at the Berlin Zoological Garden on 10 November 1909. The small railcar stayed on one rail owing to the conservation of angular momentum supplied by two heavy horizontal flywheels rotating in opposite directions. No investor interest was forthcoming. See Shilovsky Monorail and Brennan Monorail below.


Russia

* Gyro monorail#Shilovsky's work, Shilovsky Monorail - the Russian aristocrat Pyotr Shilovsky was developing his gyro transit system after 1910, both for road vehicles in England and for monorail in Russia. For a gyrocar his system was dangerous because it involved only one flywheel, and so vehicles were unstable on bends. A gyro monorail railway project was begun in 1922 by the nascent Soviet Union between St Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo, but funding was pulled after construction began.


United Kingdom

* Atmospheric railway, Atmospheric Railway - the ''Samuda and Clegg System'' was developed from 1838 and initially used by the London and Croydon Railway and the South Devon Railway Company. It involved an iron pipe containing a piston attached by a rod to the train, which was pulled along by pumping the air out of the pipe in front of the piston. This was a materials technology failure, since the continuous valve containing the piston rod was sealed by leather which quickly perished. Also used on the Dalkey Atmospheric Railway in Ireland, and the Chemins de fer de l'Ouest, Paris to Saint-Germain Railway in France. * Bennie Railplane - George Bennie opened a short prototype demonstration line of his elevated monorail system in 1930, at Milngavie in Scotland. The individual cars hung on a single rail, with guide rails underneath. The propulsion was by propeller, hence the name. The idea was to build lines above conventional railways, and use them for fast passenger traffic. The idea attracted no investment, and Bennie went bankrupt in 1937. * Behr Monorail - Fritz Behr developed the successful Lartigue Monorail system to create a high-speed electric monorail, which he demonstrated as a full-scale model at the Brussels International Exposition (1897). As a result, the Manchester and Liverpool Electric Express Railway was authorised in 1901 to run between the two cities via Eccles, Greater Manchester, Eccles and Warrington. Only minor preliminary work was done, as Behr could not attract funding. * Gyro monorail#Brennan's monorail, Brennan Monorail - Louis Brennan patented his monorail system in 1903. This was a gyro monorail, whereby the train stayed on one rail owing to the conservation of angular momentum supplied by a pair of heavy vertical flywheels, rotating in opposite directions. He demonstrated a full-sized model at the Japan–British Exhibition of 1910, and photos taken of the two trains were widely circulated. He failed to attract backers, and abandoned work. *
Great Eastern Railway The Great Eastern Railway (GER) was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia. The company was grouped into the London and North Eastern R ...
, GER Class A55, Decapod - the GER did not have the funds to electrify its London suburban lines at the start of the 20th century, so instructed its motive power department to create a steam engine (locomotive) that could match the speed and acceleration of an electric train and so take charge of these services. The result was a ten-wheel (0-5-0) monster. Unfortunately the permanent way department was not consulted, and the engine was too heavy for both track and bridges. Only the prototype was built, and hauled no revenue train before being rebuilt for goods (freight) service. * Elfric Wells Chalmers Kearney#The Kearney High-Speed Tube, Kearney High-Speed Tube - Elfric Wells Chalmers Kearney promoted his monorail underground rapid transit system from 1905 to the 1940s in Britain and elsewhere, but only a single prototype passenger car was built. * Rammell Pneumatic Railway - Thomas Webster Rammell was the engineer for the London Pneumatic Despatch Company, which involved cars being pushed along underground tubes by stationary air pumps. He demonstrated a Crystal Palace pneumatic railway, passenger version at Crystal Palace in 1864, as a prototype subway system. This involved a carriage in a large tube with a ring of bristles at one end forming a seal, being moved back and forth by alternately pumping in and extracting the air in the tube. The system was taken up by the failed
Waterloo and Whitehall Railway The Waterloo and Whitehall Railway was a proposed and partly constructed 19th century Rammell pneumatic railway in central London intended to run under the River Thames just upstream from Hungerford Bridge, running from Waterloo station to the ...
. * LMS Karrier Ro-Railer, Ro-Railer - in 1931 the Karrier Company built an experimental single-decker bus with a wheel arrangement that allowed it to run both on roads and on rails. The wheels needed to be adjusted when transferring from one to the other. It ran a brief scheduled
London, Midland and Scottish Railway The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSIt has been argued that the initials LMSR should be used to be consistent with LNER, GWR and SR. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway's corporate image used LMS, and this is what is generally u ...
service in 1932 from Blisworth railway station to Stratford Old Town railway station over the former Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway, then by road to the Welcombe Hotel. The service was abandoned after a few weeks when an axle broke.


United States

* Beach Pneumatic Transit - this was the first attempt to build an underground public transit system in New York City. The system was developed by Alfred Ely Beach in 1869, and a short demonstration subway line running on pneumatic power was opened in 1870. It was abandoned in 1873. The independently developed Rammell Pneumatic Railway (see above) in England was very similar. *
Boynton Bicycle Railroad The Boynton Bicycle Railroad was a monorail in Brooklyn on Long Island, New York. It ran on a single load-bearing rail at ground level, but with a wooden overhead stabilising rail engaged by a pair of horizontally opposed wheels. The railway ...
- after a successful demonstration under steam of this
monorail A monorail (from "mono", meaning "one", and "rail") is a railway in which the track consists of a single rail or a beam. Colloquially, the term "monorail" is often used to describe any form of elevated rail or people mover. More accurately, ...
system at
Coney Island Coney Island is a peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bounded by Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach to its east, L ...
, in 1894 a demonstration electric line was built between
Bellport Bellport is a village in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 2,084 at the 2010 census. The Incorporated Village of Bellport is named after the Bell family ...
and
East Patchogue East Patchogue (, ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 22,469 at the 2010 census. The CDP is a proximate representati ...
as the first section of a proposed suburban system on
Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...
. Nothing further was achieved. * Centennial Monorail - this was similar to the relatively successful Lartigue Monorail system, but independently developed in the US. The inventor Roy Stone demonstrated it at the Centennial Exhibition, Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, which was held in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, Declaration of Independence. The system was used for the Bradford and Foster Brook Railway, opened 1878 and abandoned in a year after a train wreck and boiler explosion. * Macke's Three-Rail System - this three-rail Elevated railway, elevated urban rapid transit system was proposed for Boston between 1888 and 1891, and discussed by the Massachusetts state legislature. Unlike its competitor the Meigs system (see below), no demonstration line was built. It features two load-bearing rails and a third traction rail in a gully between the two, with vertical driving wheels attached to the rail by wrap-round flanges. * Meigs Elevated Railway - this Elevated railway, elevated steam-powered urban rapid transit system is often described as a
monorail A monorail (from "mono", meaning "one", and "rail") is a railway in which the track consists of a single rail or a beam. Colloquially, the term "monorail" is often used to describe any form of elevated rail or people mover. More accurately, ...
but was technically pre-electric third rail. It was invented in by Josiah Vincent Meigs (also known as Joe Meigs or Joe Vincent Meigs), of Lowell, Massachusetts, and was demonstrated on a short experimental line in a suburb of Boston called East Cambridge, Massachusetts, East Cambridge from 1886 to 1894.Robert Campbell and Peter Vanderwarker
"MEIGS ELEVATED RAILWAY"
. Boston Globe, February 23, 1992. * Miami and Erie Transportation Company - the Miami and Erie Canal ran from ran from Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati to Toledo, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, and like all canals in the 19th century relied on horses and mules to tow the boats. The idea was floated to replace the animals with electric locomotives, running on rails laid on the towpath (''Electric Mules''). Rails were laid from Cincinnati through Dayton, Ohio, Dayton by 1904. The idea failed in general because of the new availability of internal combustion engines to power boats, and specifically because the canal was already moribund.Oeters & Gulick: The Miami and Erie Canal Arcadia 2014 pp. 47ff. * Tunis Monorail - the inventor Howard Hansel Tunis demonstrated his monorail system the Jamestown (Virginia) exposition of 1907, and this was used for the Pelham Park and City Island Railway which was a New York suburban transit line. The monorail had s single ground rail, and two elevated guide rails. It ran from 1910 to 1914, and was then replaced by conventional streetcars.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Never Used Railways Rail transport-related lists