I am from NC and am modeling the area from Charlotte and Hickory to Asheville during the period from 1945 through 1960. I would like to know two things; 1.What specifically ran through the area in the way of locomotives and other running equipment both steam and diesel, and 2. Where could I find the history of Southern Railway for the North Carolina, more specifically Western part, during that time period. Thanks for any assitance with this.

-- Thomas S. Page (tpage3@cfl.rr.com), May 05, 2004

Answers

From Charlotte to Hickory would encompass the AT&O (Charlotte to Statesville, and the Western NCRR, Statesville to Hickory). On the AT&O, SR ran primarily 2-8-0's and Mikados. Light pacifics generally pulled the mixed trains to Statesville & on to Taylorsville.

On the WNCRR section, 2-8-0's, Mikes, and Santa Fe's were the most common power, with PS-4's pulling a few passenger trains. Smaller 2-6- 0's and 2-8-0's lettered for the Carolina & N-W would be seen between Newton & Hickory on the line you are modeling.

For diesel power, you would predominantly find lots of RS-3's, a C&N-W RS11, and F-units aplenty.

Books on the subject include "The Legacy of the Carolina & N-W" and "The June Bug Line" (out of print, but will be reprinted late this year). A definitive work on the Western NCRR/Asheville Division will be out late next year.

Thanks,

Matt Bumgarner

-- Matt Bumgarner (stealthnfo@aol.com), May 24, 2004.