I need help documenting mixed train service on the Charleston & Western Carolina. The C&WC had several coach-cabooses (nos. 30, 31, etc.) that I have always understood were used in mixed train service. However I have no timetable data to confirm what routes any C&WC mixed service may have operated over, and how long it lasted. But it seems I have heard they had mixed service into the late 50s.

ACL's public timetables listed regular C&WC passenger service (trains 41-42) until that train was discontinued sometime between late 1954 and mid-1955, but no C&WC mixed service. By the way I need the exact date of discontinuance of 41-42.

Last but not least, did any of the C&WC mixed service survive into the ACL merger, that is, after 1-1-60? ACL did keep the coach-cabooses awhile, renumbering them 0800-0802 I believe, although this doesn't necessarily mean they were used in actual mixed service. (also need photos of these cars as lettered and numbered for ACL)

Any help appreciated.

Larry Goolsby

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), November 16, 1998

Answers

I grew up in a small town called Iva, S. C. My home was on the railroad branch line of the C & W C from McCormick, SC to Anderson, SC. We are talking about the 1950's. The train ran daily coming to Anderson from McCormick early each morning and returning late afternoon. My mom and dad ran a restuarant in Iva and the crew would eat there daily Monday through Saturday. At no time from 1950 until the last run in July 28, 1972, did the train offer any type of passenger service. However, I am familiar with the coach-caboose you are talking about. A couple of times the C & W C changed their schedule and would have their train come to Anderson in the afternoon, spend the night in Anderson, and return to McCormink the next morning. The coach section had been converted into sleeping quarters with rollaway beds. The crew would sleep in Anderson overnight and get up the next am to return to McCormick. I knew all of the employees personally and developed my love for trains by talking with them each day at my parent's cafe. Even had the pleasure of riding to Anderson in the cab a few times. It was a real thrill for a small kid. I have no knowledge of how the coach-caboose might have been used on the Spartanburg-Augusta route or the Augusta- Yemasee/Port Royal run. Hope this adds some help to your question.

-- Maurice K. Lopez (mklopez@carol.net), March 02, 1999.

Thanks Riley, that's helpful. I'm still wondering though about the actual use to which the coach-caboose was put -- was it true mixed service (which I doubt because no timetables listed that), or perhaps it was for express service only, or company LCL service? There must have been some reason these cars were used on that branch instead of an ordinary caboose.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), December 15, 1998.

C&WC ran a coach-caboose on the McCormick-Anderson Branch until the merger. I saw this train many times as my grandmother lived right on the main line about 1/2 mile south of the junction switch. As I recall the train ran with an ACL caboose after the merger.

The units and caboose tied up at McCormick on weekends.

-- Riley Kinney (rkinney@admin.fsu.edu), December 15, 1998.