International and Great Northern Railway
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | September 30, 1873 |
| Fate | Merged into Missouri Pacific Railroad |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Texas, United States |
| Parent | Missouri Pacific Railroad (after 1925) |
The International – Great Northern Railroad (I&GN) commenced operations in Texas following its establishment on September 30, 1873, resulting from the consolidation of the International Railroad and Houston and Great Northern Railroad. Formally incorporated as the International & Great Northern Railroad Company, its original route connected Hearne to Longview, eventually growing to cover at its maximum extent.
From Hearne, the line extended southwestward, reaching Rockdale in 1874, then Austin by December 1876, followed by San Antonio in 1880, and ultimately arriving at the United States–Mexico border at Laredo by December 1881. Although the railroad expanded significantly, it encountered persistent financial difficulties and underwent multiple periods of receivership.
Control of the I&GN was acquired by industrialist Jay Gould in December 1880. Gould's ownership of Missouri Pacific (Mopac) and Texas and Pacific Railroad facilitated coordinated operations among these railroads while preserving distinct corporate entities and separate union seniority districts.
After the financial turmoil intensified due to the Panic of 1907, I&GN entered receivership again in 1908. It was subsequently sold through foreclosure to a reorganized International & Great Northern Railway Company in August 1911. The railroad experienced another receivership prior to a foreclosure sale in July 1922.
The International–Great Northern Railroad was reestablished on August 17, 1922, resuming full operational control by the end of that year. To maintain Missouri Pacific's influence, Gulf Coast Lines' New Orleans, Texas and Mexico Railway acquired I-GN in June 1924; Gulf Coast Lines themselves were purchased by Missouri Pacific in January 1925. By March 1956, all subsidiaries under Gulf Coast Lines were consolidated into Missouri Pacific, effectively ending I-GN's corporate existence.
During the 1960s, Missouri Pacific discontinued service on less profitable segments such as Waco–Marlin and Bryan–Navasota; however, trackage rights agreements allowed continued operations on the latter via Southern Pacific Railroad. Ultimately, Missouri Pacific merged into Union Pacific Railroad in 1997.