Which was the first cast-off branchline he purchased to operate as an independent railroad and which was the last. Anyone have a complete list? Dates of aquisition and when applicable dates of abandonment and which are still operatiing?
First: St. Johnsbury and Lamoille County…1937. Last either the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton or the Louisiana and Southwestern 1978
Sam Pinsley’s wife was a Salzburg and the Pinsley and the Salzburg railroads were closely related so it’s a bit hard to separate those which belonged to one family from the other. In 1938 Sam Pinsley purchased the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington which I believe was his first railroad acquisition. The last was the Arkansas Midland which became a Pinsley RR in 2011. Also in 2011, the Arkansas Midland acquired the Prescott & Northwestern and a part of the Caddo Valley RR.
To the best of my knowledge the WA&G and Louisiana & Northwest were Salzburg roads and were not owned by Pinsley. Of course the WA&G is long gone now but the L&NW is alive and well and a member of the Patriot group of railroads.
Mark