Eastern Alabama Railway
Encyclopedia
The Eastern Alabama Railway is one of many short line railroad companies owned by RailAmerica
. On November 26, 1990, the line was sold by CSX
to the Eastern Alabama Railway, a subsidiary of Kyle Railways. Kyle Railways later sold the EARY to RailAmerica in 2002 and the EARY is still operated by RailAmerica as a subsidiary.
The line, which is 26 miles (41.8 km) long, was constructed 1883 as a narrow gauge railroad known as the Anniston and Atlantic Railroad
. On July 19, 1889, the Anniston & Atlantic Railroad became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
under the Alabama Mineral Railroad. The L&N became part of the Seaboard System
in 1982 and the CSX in 1986.
The EARY also operated a separate line running from Wellington to Anniston, Alabama. The Wellington line was abandoned in November 1992. The Wellington line was also former Louisville & Nashville track and ran through Alexandria - Mahlep - Gladden Jct - Leatherwood - Blue Mountain.
, paper products, and food products. The EARY hauled around 15,000 carloads in 2008.
RailAmerica
RailAmerica, Inc., based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a holding company of a number of short-line railroads and regional railroads in the United States and Canada....
. On November 26, 1990, the line was sold by CSX
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
to the Eastern Alabama Railway, a subsidiary of Kyle Railways. Kyle Railways later sold the EARY to RailAmerica in 2002 and the EARY is still operated by RailAmerica as a subsidiary.
The line, which is 26 miles (41.8 km) long, was constructed 1883 as a narrow gauge railroad known as the Anniston and Atlantic Railroad
Anniston and Atlantic Railroad
The Anniston and Atlantic Railroad was a 53-mile narrow gauge railroad built between Anniston, Alabama and Sylacauga, Alabama, via Talladega, Alabama and Murphy, Alabama....
. On July 19, 1889, the Anniston & Atlantic Railroad became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
under the Alabama Mineral Railroad. The L&N became part of the Seaboard System
Seaboard System Railroad
The Seaboard System Railroad was a former Class I railroad created by merging the railroads of the Family Lines System. Although sharing common ownership, the railroads of the Family Lines System used different names when conducting business...
in 1982 and the CSX in 1986.
The EARY also operated a separate line running from Wellington to Anniston, Alabama. The Wellington line was abandoned in November 1992. The Wellington line was also former Louisville & Nashville track and ran through Alexandria - Mahlep - Gladden Jct - Leatherwood - Blue Mountain.
Traffic
The railroad's main commodities are limestone, ureaUrea
Urea or carbamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CO2. The molecule has two —NH2 groups joined by a carbonyl functional group....
, paper products, and food products. The EARY hauled around 15,000 carloads in 2008.
Towns Served
- Talladega, AlabamaTalladega, AlabamaTalladega is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 15,143. The city is the county seat of Talladega County. Talladega is approximately 50 miles east of Birmingham, Alabama....
Interchange with the Norfolk Southern RailwayNorfolk Southern RailwayThe Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
and CSX - Bemiston, Alabama
- Sycamore, Alabama
- Sylacauga, AlabamaSylacauga, AlabamaSylacauga is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 12,616.Nicknames for Sylacauga include: "The Marble City," "Buzzard's Roost" and "Sly Town"....
Location of Enginehouse and interchange with Norfolk Southern - Gantt's Quarry
Summary of Operations
- Anniston and Atlantic RailroadAnniston and Atlantic RailroadThe Anniston and Atlantic Railroad was a 53-mile narrow gauge railroad built between Anniston, Alabama and Sylacauga, Alabama, via Talladega, Alabama and Murphy, Alabama....
1883 - 1889 - Louisville and Nashville RailroadLouisville and Nashville RailroadThe Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
/Alabama Mineral Railroad: 1889 - 1982 - Seaboard System RailroadSeaboard System RailroadThe Seaboard System Railroad was a former Class I railroad created by merging the railroads of the Family Lines System. Although sharing common ownership, the railroads of the Family Lines System used different names when conducting business...
: 1982 - July 1, 1986 - CSX TransportationCSX TransportationCSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
: July 1, 1986 - November 26, 1990
Sources
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide 5th ed., (Kalmbach Books, 1996).
- Mike Walker, SPV's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Southern States (Steam Powered Publishing & SPV, 2001) Ownership and detail of rail line.
- North America Railroad Map Software v 2.13, (Railway Station Productions, 2004) http://www.RailroadMap.com