C&WC at Augusta, GA

greenspun.com : LUSENET : ACL and SAL Railroads Historical Society : One Thread

I note in several books and maps that the current CSX line from Augusta, GA to Yemassee, SC is the former Charleston & Western Carolina RR. Was this a Coast Line subsidiary, a Seaboard or did it run as it's own company? Also who owned the current CSX yard that is next to Laney Walker Blvd near the Farmer's Market in Augusta? I know the Southern and The Georgia were big forces in that city. Were the ACL & SAL there also? Thanks very much for any info. As always the depth of knowledge on this site continues to amaze me. Danny Harmon Tampa

-- Danny Harmon (DistSig@aol.com), October 15, 2000

Answers

Danny, the large C &W C yard mentioned by Mr. Underwood on Gwinnet street is the same yard as the one on Laney Walker. The City of Augusta renamed the street.

-- Steve Kamp (sakamp@hotmail.com), March 04, 2002.

The last time I was in Augusta was March-October 1953 as a guest of the U.S.Army. I don't remember Laney Walker Blvd. or the Farmer's Market, but here is a list of the railroad yards at that time. Perhaps you can connect one of these to what you're asking. Atlantic Coast Line - Used the Charleston & Western Carolina to reach Augusta from Robbins, SC, 29 miles east, and used C&WC yard. Central of Georgia - Shop & yard between 6th & Mechanic St's, south of Calhoun St. Charleston & Western Carolina - Small yard east of Mechanic St. & south of Taylor St. Large yard beginning east of 5th St. and parallel to Gwinett St. on south side, eastward. Also C&WC had a small yard at 9th St. on the levee. Georgia RR - Yard parallel to Tuttle St. east of 15th St. and yards and shop behind(south of) Union Station. Georgia & Florida - Yard west of 6th St. & south of Hale St. Southern Ry - Yard on levee between 5th & 6th St's and across river in North Augusta(Hamburg) Being young and in my prime, I walked to most of these after getting off the bus from Camp Gordon. The C&WC ran from Port Royal/Beaufort to Augusta, then had branches to Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg in SC. Their last passenger train ran March 14, 1954, Augusta to Port Royal, and the C&WC became the Western Carolina Division of the ACL December 31, 1959.

-- Tom Underwood (tlunder@attglobal.net), October 17, 2000.

The full story of the C&WC is contained in Al Langley's new book of that name, recently added to our company store bookshelf. It is only $21 plus $3 s/h, or pick it up at the Manchester show Oct. 21, Gaithersburg Nov. 5, or Raleigh Nov. 11.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), October 16, 2000.

Danny, just above me on my wall is the October page of our HS calendar, which as luck would have it, features the C&WC. It was indeed an ACL subsidiary, running via Augusta between Port Royal and Spartanburg, SC. I don't know when (if ever) the line ran from its namesake Charleston. The line featured motive power painted in parent ACL Purple, and later black, lettered C&WC. Otherwise I don't see any difference. The line was merged into the ACL in late 1959.

-- Bob Venditti (bobvend@bellsouth.net), October 15, 2000.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ