The Alexander RR was originally built as part of the grandiosely named Atlantic, Tennessee & Ohio RR, or AT&O. It ran from Charlotte (present day AT&O Jct. on Norfolk Southern) to Taylorsville. Never even got close to any of the places in its name! A very interesting history fact about the AT&O is that during the civil war, the confederacy badly needed a rail link between Greensboro, NC and Danville, Va to move supplies and troops between Richmond and Atlanta. Rail being impossible to get during the conflict, the confederacy decided to claim the AT&O, pull up all the track and ship it to Greensboro to build the missing link! The AT&O was eventually rebuilt, and ended up in Southern Railways ownership. Alexander RR was formed in 1946 (??) and bought their current route from Southern. The section between Mooresville and Statesville has long been removed, but there is a connection from Mooresville to Winston-Salem, NC via Barber Jct. The northern end of that line is still in place, but hasn’t seen a train in decades. It’s sole reason for being is that it’s NS’s bargaining weapon when they negotiate lease agreements with the state owned NC RR Co.. With this line, it’s possible to run trains from Greensboro to Winston-Salem, then Mooresville and back to the mainline at Charlotte, thereby sidestepping the NCRR! But that’s a story for another day!
Wow!! That's a lot of information...how very interesting ~ than you Tom! I enjoyed hearing all of that history and reasoning behind some of the actions that you mentioned. The next time I'm in this area of the world (which may not be too long from now) I'll enjoy seeing Alexander railroad all the more with your information at my fingertips
@@tomt9543 no that's wonderful, I can tell that you have a lot of passion for this railroad and this area, that you enjoy history, and you enjoy sharing your knowledge. I think it's wonderful and I appreciate it and I thank you. I don't know how many people read comments that are on videos, but if anyone's reading this, I think they would get a lot out of what you wrote there.
@@traveling_ladyrailfan Spoiler alert: I’ve never even seen a train on the June Bug Line! I enjoy railroad history, and I worked my entire working life for Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern (41 years), and seeing a TH-cam video on the Alexander certainly drew my attention! Was also not aware of the narrow gauge railroad museum, and I only live about 45 minutes away from it! So I learned something, and you learned something! Lol
@@tomt9543 wonderful!! Isn't it great to learn something new? I love it. It's wonderful being able to "chat" with knowledgeable people that you can "meet" because of our connectivity over the internet. I do recommend the Newton Depot, it's a museum, they have a layout in a building next door, they also have outside displays and they have trains running in season, I've only been there once but was treated with kindness consideration and hospitality.
This is a cool short line. The museum was also nice and would be an interesting place to visit. That Alco S3 looks great in the green and yellow. Good stuff Lady Railfan , well done.👍🙂 And thank you to A.Mooney for his contributions as well.
Ah yes, I know that one (I'm some photos of it, it's first-year) I like short lines too.. they're rapidly disappearing gobbled up by larger organizations, but they're fun to catch especially if they have some pretty wild names and colours. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Thank you I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed the video although I'm surprised you say I'm a good TH-camr, I'm so new to this! I'm such an amateur but thank you so much
@@anthonyeveler4820 I really appreciate that you enjoy these videos. And it's very nice of you to let me know. You do this, you see these places, you take photos you take video, you have an idea in your head of the story you want to tell, you figure out how to do it with the tools that you have, and then you throw it out there to the world, and most people see it but don't say much and you just wonder, did you like it? Were there parts you didn't like? Was it fun, was it too simple, was it too long, was it boring? (Etc) I don't know about "really popular" but I am happy to share the stories of the places that I am able to go to at this time, with people. It's nice to be able to see things from home. I'm happy to be able to show these things. It helps me when people comment, and of course "like" and "share". Thank you Anthony
The Alexander RR was originally built as part of the grandiosely named Atlantic, Tennessee & Ohio RR, or AT&O. It ran from Charlotte (present day AT&O Jct. on Norfolk Southern) to Taylorsville. Never even got close to any of the places in its name! A very interesting history fact about the AT&O is that during the civil war, the confederacy badly needed a rail link between Greensboro, NC and Danville, Va to move supplies and troops between Richmond and Atlanta. Rail being impossible to get during the conflict, the confederacy decided to claim the AT&O, pull up all the track and ship it to Greensboro to build the missing link! The AT&O was eventually rebuilt, and ended up in Southern Railways ownership. Alexander RR was formed in 1946 (??) and bought their current route from Southern. The section between Mooresville and Statesville has long been removed, but there is a connection from Mooresville to Winston-Salem, NC via Barber Jct. The northern end of that line is still in place, but hasn’t seen a train in decades. It’s sole reason for being is that it’s NS’s bargaining weapon when they negotiate lease agreements with the state owned NC RR Co.. With this line, it’s possible to run trains from Greensboro to Winston-Salem, then Mooresville and back to the mainline at Charlotte, thereby sidestepping the NCRR! But that’s a story for another day!
Wow!! That's a lot of information...how very interesting ~ than you Tom! I enjoyed hearing all of that history and reasoning behind some of the actions that you mentioned. The next time I'm in this area of the world (which may not be too long from now) I'll enjoy seeing Alexander railroad all the more with your information at my fingertips
@@traveling_ladyrailfan When I get started, I lose all self control! Lol
@@tomt9543 no that's wonderful, I can tell that you have a lot of passion for this railroad and this area, that you enjoy history, and you enjoy sharing your knowledge. I think it's wonderful and I appreciate it and I thank you. I don't know how many people read comments that are on videos, but if anyone's reading this, I think they would get a lot out of what you wrote there.
@@traveling_ladyrailfan Spoiler alert: I’ve never even seen a train on the June Bug Line! I enjoy railroad history, and I worked my entire working life for Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern (41 years), and seeing a TH-cam video on the Alexander certainly drew my attention! Was also not aware of the narrow gauge railroad museum, and I only live about 45 minutes away from it! So I learned something, and you learned something! Lol
@@tomt9543 wonderful!!
Isn't it great to learn something new? I love it. It's wonderful being able to "chat" with knowledgeable people that you can "meet" because of our connectivity over the internet.
I do recommend the Newton Depot, it's a museum, they have a layout in a building next door, they also have outside displays and they have trains running in season, I've only been there once but was treated with kindness consideration and hospitality.
This is a cool short line. The museum was also nice and would be an interesting place to visit. That Alco S3 looks great in the green and yellow. Good stuff Lady Railfan , well done.👍🙂 And thank you to A.Mooney for his contributions as well.
Thank you so much Mike, I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed the video. ❤️
Super neat stuff. Short lines are cool. I loved watching Port Colborne Harbour Railway as a kid since it's local to me.
Ah yes, I know that one (I'm some photos of it, it's first-year)
I like short lines too.. they're rapidly disappearing gobbled up by larger organizations, but they're fun to catch especially if they have some pretty wild names and colours.
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Tammy another great one and glad to see that you caught A. W, in some of the video. Cheers Rob.
He's a little shy but sometimes makes it into the shot, LOL! Thank you for writing, Rob, glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting. You and AWM sniff out some real obscure shortlines.
It's AWM who knows where to go...I just make the videos! But thanks for watching & commenting ;)
Very cool documentary 😎
I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting
Entertaining and informative. Thanks
Thank you for your comment &I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed the video!
That old EOT on the wall at 1:12 was actually donated by my best friend Shiloh a few years ago, she loves collecting them
@@supernintenjoe974 No kidding? Small world! That was very kind of your friend to donate that, thank you for the info!
Very cool you always find the greatest places your such a good TH-camr
Thank you I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed the video although I'm surprised you say I'm a good TH-camr, I'm so new to this! I'm such an amateur but thank you so much
You are great at it so far keep it up and you will become really popular
@@anthonyeveler4820 I really appreciate that you enjoy these videos. And it's very nice of you to let me know. You do this, you see these places, you take photos you take video, you have an idea in your head of the story you want to tell, you figure out how to do it with the tools that you have, and then you throw it out there to the world, and most people see it but don't say much and you just wonder, did you like it? Were there parts you didn't like? Was it fun, was it too simple, was it too long, was it boring? (Etc) I don't know about "really popular" but I am happy to share the stories of the places that I am able to go to at this time, with people. It's nice to be able to see things from home. I'm happy to be able to show these things. It helps me when people comment, and of course "like" and "share". Thank you Anthony