This railroad was completed in 1853, I need a map or any info, plus descriptions of the passenger cars and a list of the stops made from Columbia to Greenville. This is for a historical novel that I wish to be as accurate as possible.

-- debra alexander (diecastdeb@msn.com), October 30, 2001

Answers

The rails connecting Greenville and Columbia (in the late 1800s) actually consisted of two companies. From Greenville SE to Laurens was the Charleston and Western Carolina Ry, and from Laurens on down to Columbia was the Columbia, Newberry, & Laurens RR. (I believe that both roads later became affiliated with the ACL after the turn of the century.) Stations (some of which may be long gone by now) were shown on an old map to be (from Greenville to Columbia) S. Greenville, Allis, Mono, Barksdale, Laurens, Clinton, Dover, Gary, Newberry, Little Mountain, Chaplin, White Rock, Irmo, Colummbia. Several of these may have been no more than 'flag stops'. In the 1800s, passenger cars would have been of wood construction, heated by coal stoves and illuminated by coal oil or kero lamps...a deadly combination if a serious derailment occurred. The map shows the rail distance between Greenville and Columbia to be 111 miles.

-- Greg Hodges (ghodges@smpsfa.com), October 30, 2001.

Debra, You are referring to the Greenville & Columbia Railway which later became the Columbia & Greenville. Construction on G&C was started in late 1840s & finished in 1853. It had a branch at Belton (named for 1st president)which went to anderson, SC. Another branch ran from Hodges to Abbeville, SC. Both branches were finished in 1853 & were built to satisfy politicans. Basically this line came down the western side of the Saluda River. It was the first RR in upstate SC. The Civil War hurt the finances as did some mistakes. It was reorganized as the C&G, in 1870s & then came under the influence of the predecessor companies of the Southern Rwy. It became a part of SRS in 1894. Most of the track is down gone. It crossed the Broad River at a place called Alston. If you need further info write me at my email address. The passenger cars were typical of cars of the era of time & were modernized as finances permited. Stops included Greenville, Williamston, Belton, Honea Path, Donalds, Hodges, Greenwood, Ninety Six, Chappells, Old Town, Silver Street, Newberry, Prosperity, Pomaria, Peak, Alston, etc. Hope this helps. Conrad Cheatham

-- Conrad Cheatham (ccheatham@ureach.com), December 20, 2001.

One of the stops was at the Shoals Junction depot which was known as Barmore's Turn Out. Hodges is down the road about 5 miles and it is said that President Davis of the CSA came through Hodges Station on the way to Abbeville, SC at the end of the civil war to hold his last cabinet meeting. Abbeville was branched off this line.

-- Ralph E. Campbell (magnon@innova.net), February 08, 2002.