Atkinson, NC

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Is there anyone out there who might know what year the line through Atkinson, NC was taken up? I believe it to be a ACL line which ran from Wilmington to Fayetteville and beyond to Mount Airy, NC. It was part of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley RR. My Father told me he remembers seeing trains through there in the 60's and perhaps 70's, but he could not remember what year the line was taken up.

My father passed away 4 years ago. we used to pass through there on our way to his hometown of Clarkton, NC (on the SAL) from my hometown of Morehead City. I believe a street running along the old right of way was called railroad ave, but cannot be for sure. I live in Grand Island, NE so I do not get back that way much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and would help clear up a very old question we never could answer. If anyone knows what the train density and traffic types that would also help.

Thanks in advance for any help. You guys are the best

Daniel T. Edwards

-- Daniel Taylor Edwards (mmeedwards@charter.net), September 22, 2002

Answers

Dan, The line that you requested information on was an ACL line that survived into the SCL years, and possibly into the SBD period. I railfanned the line during several years (1970 - 1972) while stationed at Ft. Bragg near Fayetteville. During those several years, the line between Fayetteville and Wilmington was lightly used, with one train each way on a daily except Sunday basis, as a general rule. Every so often, an extra train would operate as needed. Traffic included general manifest cargo, such as propane gas, lumber (saw timber and pulpwood), crushed stone, paper, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, foodstuffs,etc. I don't know when the branch in the Atkinson area was abandoned, as it was abandoned some time earlier than the section of track east of Fayetteville. Sorry that I couldn't be of more help. Best Wishes! Aaron Dowling (aarondowling@cfl.rr.com)

-- Aaron Dowling (aarondowling@cfl.rr.com), September 24, 2002.

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