the parent company of the independent gulf coast lines was the new orleans, texas and mexico railway, incorporated in louisiana on february 28, 1916, which bought the property and assets of the frisco-owned new orleans, texas and mexico "railroad". the not&m was headquartered in new orleans, and owned or leased a number of other railroads in louisiana and texas, operating them all together as the gulf coast lines. as of december 31, 1916, the total trackage operated by the gulf coast lines system was , including branches, sidings, trackage rights, and leased lines.