I am looking for sources about the passenger trains that left Asheville from 1946 thru 1952. I have on order a 2000 nov/dec copy of TIES. There should be some info from Trains mag but I can’t seem to find any index for past articles as can be found for models. I looking for consists of actual pullman cars diner ,coach, and front end equipment. And pictures.
See if you can find a copy of a little paperback book titled Crossties Over Saluda. It has just what you are looking ofr.
work safe
Have you checked with any of the websites for the Southern RR historical societies?
I know this is are really old topic, but I thought I would add a source to answer part of the original poster’s question. Below is a link to a 1949 Southern Railways Asheville Division Employee Timetable. It provides the train schedules in the requested time period (1946-1952), but doesn’t list the consist of the trains. It also covers all three branches of the division: Salisbury, Saluda, and Murphy. Hope it helps somewhat:
Cant help you out from 46 thru 52, but I do have Official Guides for 1941 and 1953.
It appears that in 1953 there were 5 sets of passenger trains serving Asheville:
9/10 - Asheville to Columbia, SC…unnamed trains running 163 miles
11-12 - Salisbury, NC to Asheville…unnamed trains running 141 miles with 29 stops or flag stops scheduled for the 5 hour 30 minute trip. What a ride that would have been! The two trains were scheduled to meet at Azalea.
15 -16 - Greensboro - Asheville The Asheville Special with two sleepers running to and from New York City. A diner car also ran between Asheville and Greensboro.
21 - 22 Greensboro - Goldsboro - The Carolina Special with connections to Cincinnati. Sleeper car running from Chicago to Greensboro. Dinette/coach from Asheville to Goldsboro.
27 - 28 Cincinnati - Charleston - Also called The Carolina Special. This train had sleepers from Chicago to Asheville and on to Charleston, the above mention Chicago to Greensboro; Cincinnati to Asheville; and Louisville to Asheville and on to Columbia.
That is about all I can help you with right now, without digging into the 1941 OG.
Sounds like Asheville would have been an interesting spot to watch passenger trains come in and sort out the cars for the destinations…sort of a hub and spoke.
ed
I rode the Ashville Special in 1959. I recall all the equipment as lightweight (south of Washington) except possibly at the head end. My sleeper was on the rear, and it was normal 6 + 10, I think either ACF or Pullman, but with fluted stainless steel sides. It was pointed with the vestibule at the rear. and without a trainman ordering me back inside, there is where I spent most of my time. I boarded the sleeper in New York and went to bed pretty quickly, so I would guess the departure was after 9PM. Of course the train leaving New York was much longer, with Pennsy coaches and possibly some sleepers for trains other than the Southern Railway. I think the diner on Southern was a lightweight also, or a diner-coach. I know I did get breakfast.