WICKFORD

WICKFORD JUNCTION AND SLOCUMS

NEWPORT & WICKFORD RAILROAD & STEAMBOAT CO.

The railroad was built in 1870 by Newport interests who organized a steamboat line and a railroad to connect Newport with the western shore of Narragansett Bay. A connection with the New York, Providence & Boston at Wickford Junction provided good transportation to Providence and New York. The line was independent but affiliated with the NYP&B. Prosperity faded by the turn of the century and the line was sold at auction to the New Haven in 1909. The steamboat connection to Newport was discontinued in 1925 but the New Haven did not abandon the rail line until 1963.

1870 MAP

WICKFORD JUNCTION - 19 MILES FROM UNION STATION

The depot was built in 1871 for $8,000, the platform and shelter on the branch side

was added in 1887 for $3,500. Providence is right.

WICKFORD JUNCTION

Looking north toward Providence with branch on right. Sign reads Connection for Wickford and Newport. Note freight house and signal tower.

SIGNAL MAINTAINER AT THE JUNCTION

DECEMBER 1914 TIMETABLE

BELLEVILLE - 1.9 MILES FROM WICKFORD JCT. - 1.4 MILES FROM WICKFORD LANDING.

WICKFORD DEPOT

WICKFORD LANDING IS 1/2 MILE TO THE RIGHT, THE JUNCTION IS TO THE LEFT

At the crossing is a Sea View Railroad trolley freight box-motor.

WICKFORD LANDING AS SEEN FROM THE VILLAGE OF WICKFORD.

The Newport & Wickford's steamer "General" served the line from 1893 to 1925. At her bow a locomotive can be seen at the depot. The canopy protects passengers transfering from the depot to the steamship.

At the right is an unloading facility for coal carried in by barge. The juction is three miles to the right

while Newport is twelve miles across the bay to the left.

The Newport & Wickford's official name included and Steamboat Company.

The "General" carried passengers between Wickford and Newport until 1925.

A SKETCH OF THE TRACK LAYOUT AT WICKFORD LANDING BEFORE THE COAL UNLOADING BUNKER WAS BUILT TO THE LEFT OF THE STEAMBOAT TERMINAL

Two photographs of " Newport" Number 1. Built by Taunton 1888.

The Newport & Wickford owned only one locomotive but did have a steam car with a baggage and passenger compartment. Additional power was available from the affiliated NYP&B

NEWPORT & WICKFORD NUMBER 1

Shown at Jackson and Sharp of Willmington in 1888

No more than one other car was owned. NYP&B cars were used.

SLOCUMS

SLOCUMS DEPOT AND TOWER SS-134

NEW HAVEN I-4 CLASS 4-6-2 WESTBOUND 22 MILES FROM UNION STATION

SLOCUMS TOWER AND DEPOT

Tower 201 was renamed SS 134