hawkinsrails.net u shortlines  u ACWR

Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railroad
The Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railroad operates more than 138 miles of trackage in south central North Carolina: a 35 mile branch between a CSX interchange at Aberdeen to Star; a 104 mile leased line from Charlotte to Gulf, a segment of the original Norfolk Southern's main line, with connections to the modern Norfolk Southern at both ends and a Winston Salem Southbound connection at Norwood. The AC&W began operations in 1987, leasing the old NS main line in 1989. Station and shop are in Star. The ACWR operates the most mileage among all North Carolina shortlines. North Carolina shortline
ACWR system map
System map from ACWR website
 

Motive Power

Aberdeen, Carolina & Western #3802
EMD GP38 (1967) | Star, Nc | Mar 1999
EMD #33364 | ex CSX, B&O

Photograph by John C. Hawkins Click to see this unit at RRPictureArchives.net Click here to see this location with Google maps
 


Star, Nc | Mar 1999 Photograph by John C. Hawkins

 


Star, Nc | Mar 1999 Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins
Aberdeen, Carolina & Western #3803
EMD GP38 (1967) | Pinehurst, Nc | Mar 1999
EMD #33728 | ex CSX, C&O

Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click to see this unit at RRPictureArchives.net Click here to see this location with Google maps Click here for more information on reprints ACWR1
 


Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999
Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click here to see this location with Google maps Click here for more information on reprints ACWR2

 


Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999
Leaving CSXT interchange
Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click here for more information on reprints ACWR3
 


Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999
Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click here for more information on reprints ACWR4
 


Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999
Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click here for more information on reprints ACWR5

Rolling Stock

ACWR caboose
Star, Nc | Mar 1999

Photograph by Ralph W. Hawkins Click here for more information on reprints ACWR6

Locations

Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999 Click here to see this location with Google maps
Aberdeen, Nc | Mar 1999 Click here to see this location with Google maps
Southwest leg of wye interchange

Lagniappe

For railfans, one a greatest benefits of the Norfolk Southern's Thoroughbred Lease Program is an interesting operation like the ACWR. The road has formed quite a collection of second hand road power, much of it rebuilt by class one shops. My father and I enjoyed chasing a movement from the CSX interchange in Aberdeen northwest to Star - true piney woods shortlining. Having grown chasing ICG Paducah rebuilds, I appreciate the AC&W's collection of Seaboard Coast Line GP16 rebuilds. I hope to visit the AC&W again, mostly to see the GP40 wide cabs.

Links

Sources

  • Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide - Fifth Edition (Kalmbach, 1996) 14
  • Charles W. McDonald, Diesel Locomotive Rosters (Kalmbach, 1992) 12
   

hawkinsrails.net u shortlines  u ACWR