Northeast Texas Rural Rail
Transportation District (NETEX)

Serving Titus, Franklin, Hopkins, Delta, Hunt, and Collin Counties.

Photo & Media Gallery

Click image or provided link to view larger image or launch video media.

First Unit Train
The first unit train to traverse the line in over 20 years makes its way through Ridgeway on April 15, 2014 under the skillful control of Blacklands Engineer, Mark Labrozzi.  This 62-car, 8,000 ton, unit asphalt train was destined for the Martin Marietta Materials transload facility in Greenville, Texas.  This was the first of an anticipated regularly scheduled series of like unit trains to be delivered via the NETEX Railroad.
L. Joyce Davis photo

Lovier Dedication
The Honorable Paul Lovier (left), founding NETEX Board member, is accompanied by his family at the dedication ceremony on February 27, 2012 naming the railroad location in downtown Mt. Vernon, Lovier, in recognition of his service to the district and the northeast Texas region.  Board Vice-President Sam Young (on the right), Franklin County Pct. 4 Commissioner, presented the declaration. 
Jason Lee Davis photo

Dyer Junction DedicationCeremony for the official naming of Dyer Junction in Downtown Commerce in honor and memory of founding NETEX Board member, Winford Dyer, on September 9, 2011.  Dyer Junction is the connection to the former Texas Midland line to Paris, Texas which later became Southern Pacific Railroad's Paris Branch.
Jennifer Davis photo

NETEX Railroad - South Sulphur RiverParticipants in a motorcar run make a brief stop on the South Sulphur River bridge between Commerce and Neylandville to take in the scenery and replace a missing bolt on the newly restored "Rosenberg" Fairmont S2-F car, December 27, 2009.
Jason Lee Davis photo
movie camera iconVIDEO - View excerpts of this run in High Definition on YouTube.

NETEX Railroad - South Sulphur River at Hopkins-Delta County Line
Crossing the South Sulphur River at the Hopkins-Delta County line east of Commerce on a Fairmont motorcar, December 26, 2009.
Jason Lee Davis photo

movie camera iconVIDEO - 5m12s, 40.6Mb, WMV format - CLICK to launch video clipNETEX Railroad

Excerpts of video from Motorcar run from Greenville (MP 551.32) to Ridgeway (MP 527.91) and return on December 26, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis video

movie camera iconVIDEO - 11m6s, 86.6Mb, WMV format - CLICK to launch video clipMotorcar in Commerce Yard

Excerpts of video entering Commerce from west of the Loop 178 overpass (approximately MP 540) to Sycamore Street (MP 536.6) in the Commerce Yard on December 13, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis video

Hot Box and Dragging Detector
Out of service Hot Box & Dragging Detector near Neylandville, December 13, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

Myron Malone cutting tree limbs.
Myron Malone clearing overgrowth obscuring mileposts between Commerce and Greenville on December 13, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

BLR 2036
BLR 2036 eastbound approaching Ridgeway enroute to Sulphur Springs on November 18, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

NETEX & SH11 shared ROW
Cleanup by TxDOT along the NETEX ROW east of Ridgeway in preparation for the expansion of State Highway 11, Nov. 18, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

Railroad Display
Rail Partners, Inc. Motorcars and Blacklands Locomotive on display for the
3rd Annual Cotton Belt Railroad Symposium in Commerce, August 8, 2009.
Jason Lee Davis photo

Blacklands switching CO-OP
Blacklands switching the CO-OP in Sulphur Springs, Texas, July 17, 2009.
Jason Lee Davis photo

End of the track at Simtrott.
Cars stored at the end of the existing trackage (MP 555) at Simtrott, viewed east down ROW from Hunt County Road 2108, June 6, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

Tower 64
The remains of Tower 64 at the SSW (NETEX) & MKT (DGNO) interlocker in Greenville, June 6, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

BLR 2036
Blacklands power in Greenville during the KCS Historical Society Convention,
June 6, 2009.  Jason Lee Davis photo

BLR 2788
Final chassis remains of BLR #2788 leaving Commerce for Mexico on a three truck convoy, April 22, 2008.
Jason Lee Davis photo

BLR 2788 being scrapped
Scrapping the BLR #2788 in Commerce, as seen on April 17, 2008.
Jason Lee Davis photo

Tie Replacement
Tie replacement in Commerce, Jan. 23, 2008.
Jason Lee Davis photo

Wayne Defebaugh
Blacklands Railroad President, Wayne Defebaugh, providing an overview of operations at the Cotton Belt Symposium in Commerce on April 16, 2007.
L. Joyce Davis photo

Blacklands switching Commerce
Blacklands Railroad crew switching in the Commerce yard with BLR 2036 and 4601 on Dec. 20, 2006.  Jason Lee Davis photo

Blacklands Railroad
BLR 4601 & 201 pulling stored cars from the former Texas Midland line in Commerce on April 18, 2006.  Jason Lee Davis photoBLR 201
Blacklands #201 pulling the Tejas Excursion east of Ridgeway on Apr. 17, '04.
Jason Lee Davis photo

Tejas Excursion
Passengers boarding the Tejas Excursion in Commerce, Texas, April 17, 2004.
Jason Lee Davis photo

Additional photos and historical information regarding this rail line may be found at Jason Lee Davis' RailFan HomePage.

rev. May 19, 2014.