| This may be one of the only pictures of the FNW in operation. At this time, FNW was a contract carrier, storing about 140 cars on several unused sidings. FNW was the creation of a few of us who were with the Eastern Nebraska Chapter of NRHS (ENC for short). FNW ran freight over ENCs line, with Fremont & Elkhorn Valley (FEVR) running the passenger. FNW was conceived for the singular purpose of pouring $$ into ENC's operation, by taking over regular maintenace of equipment and track, using $$ generated by freight service. Our first year, we poured in 5 figures into track material, and a new Roots blower for 1219. Not bad, considering ENC did not have the money for this maintenace work. Still, after running over a year, FNW ran afoul of a faction within ENCs Board that wanted no freight. When the track lease came due, they saw to it that there would be no lease renewal. FNW moved out the stored cars and folded. By 2003, ENC financial state was so bad that they asked FNW to come back, and FNW received STB authority to become a Class 3 common carrier. However, UP had red-boarded the connecting track, so there was no connection, and the local business community didn't support the new FNW operation. FNW gave up in 2005. ENC rebranded itself as Nebraska Railway Museum, but the financial slide continued until the bank called in their loan a couple of years ago. The track was sold to a shortline owner to retire the loan, but the new owner has made no attempt to run the line. |