What is your favorite short line(s)?
I have two that I like…R.J.Corman and Ohio Central…Both have sharp looking paint schemes.
CRANDIC of Cedar Rapids, IA
Alexander RR.
West Tennessee Railroad
They have ex-LS&I RSD-12s , BN C30-7s , CN M420Ws ,and some B23-7s
TTI Railroad;Beautiful Scenery on the whole line
Yes indeed the ITT has some of the most beautiful scenery in Kentucky…I have visited the ITT many times in Paris and Maysville Ky.I also recall seeing the L&N RS3s in both Cities in the early 70s.
Aberdeen & Rockfish in North Carolina. Great new paint jobs on their old EMDs.
Hey Brakie,
As a child in the early 80’s we would walk the line between the 2 tunnels on that line. I have also visited Paris many times due to the roundhouse and the L&N depot that is close by. I must say that Carlisle KY is what I think one of the most beautiful area of the state. They to still have a depot. Have also followed the abandoned line from Flemingsburg JCT. to Flemingsburg. I haven’t been to the area for a couple of years,I live about 50 miles from there. One major reason is for 9/11, but that’s a different forum. I am glad you agree, having lived in KY all my life I must say that it is the most beautiful state and friendly and has lots of RR history.
If you don’t already know this the abandon line from Flemingsburg to Flemingsburg Jct was a narrow guage railroad…If memory serves me right the name of was Flemingsburg & Northern.My late wife was from Kentucky and I lived in Kentucky(Lewis County) for 10 years.During that time I looked up a lot of the old railroads of Eastern Kentucky road bed.I lived along the abandon right of way of the Kinniconic & Freestone( Garrison to Carter)which became a branch line of the C&O.I still miss the Blue Grass State.I fully agree nice folks and beautiful country.
Hey Brakie,
You may have one, but if you don’t a good book to have is “Ghost Railroads of Kentucky” by Elmer G. Sulzer. Your name was right on the F&N. That line had 7 different names the one you mentioning being the last. Thank you so much for your reply on this matter, it gets away from the discussion a little bit but I love the history. I have also been through Winchester and Mt. sterling Ky as well following the old road bed. It’s slowly starting to disappear in some areas but leaves you to imagine what once was. Also C&O had a branch from Wellsburg(Ohio River) to Brooksville Ky. There are very,very few areas that you can tell.
Brian (North KY)
My favorite short line is the Great Western Railway. The People who ran the line in the late '80’s are the reason. They realy showed me a great deal about railroading. The senery is bland and all of the units they had then are gone now. The memories will last me forever.
David
Good post-- it’s the people who truly make a shortline great.
David,I fully agree.It is the people that makes a short line a down home time type of railroad.
Over the last 5 or 6 years I have visited a lot of the short lines here in Ohio and it has always been the employees that made my visit worth while.I find most are willing to talk and some times let you look around in the cab.I always visit the office and sign the needed paper work and it explain what I would like to do.I have received calenders,pens,hats coffee cups (usually with a coffee in it) and had more then one cab ride.
Yes,a short line is such a down home thing.
I’m a fan of the local guys…in my area that means Providence & Worcester and Bay Colony. I see P&W trains on an almost daily basis. P&W is really a regional rather than a shortline, but then so is Ohio Central.
I enjoy the Kankakee Beaverville and Southern. They still run vintage Alco’s around eastern Illinois. It’s a great grainger railroad.
Keith
Wisconsin & Southern-everything from GP9’s to SD40-2’s, lightly railed branches, great paint scheme, friendly employees, and they even host the Great Circus Train!
I’ll cast my vote for the "Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railroad. After all, they saved what was left of the old Ann Arbor / Pennsy trackage in northern Michigan. Ex- Annie GP-35’s hauling big tonnage through northern Michigan, What’s not to love?
Todd C.
Hey Guys,let me take you out west for just a moment,So Calif to be specific. I grew up in the waning days of the Pacific Electric Railway,a wholly owned,(by that time) subsidiary of the Southern Pacific. The P.E. still ran a viable interurban passenger service as well as a very profitable freight operation. The interurban cars were painted in red with orange and silver trim.Very eye catching and appealing.This was of course,the very paint scheme found on the SP Daylights,which at the time were still pulled by Lima GS 4 locomotives.
I’ve got several favorites. I grew up on the Md. & Penna which is the basis for my model RR. The Lancaster Oxford & Southern, a 3’ road torn up in 1920, is basis for my n.g. line. Finally, I like New York Ontario & Western. Some may not agree the “Old Woman” was a short line at nearly 600 miles of track, but it had a lot of short line characteristics.
Ann Arbor Railroad.