HawkinsRails.net represents 50 years of railfan photography, shared by a father and son, with special focus on railroad lines in the southeast United States. Here we feature locomotives, rolling stock, and location shots from dozens of independent shortline railroads both current and defunct, both well known and obscure. All photographs are by John or Ralph Hawkins unless otherwise noted. See our reprints page to learn more about ordering a reprint or digital file of a particular photograph on this page.

The story of American railroads has been told many times, and the ramifications of their growth have been explored by masters in the art of history and storytelling. The flamboyant romance of the our great rail systems has been extolled by learned authors and motion picture studios. But one aspect of America's rail lore has been neglected like a country cousin, and that is exactly what it is: the realm of the shortline country railroads. The very nature of the little pikes makes them unique in contrast to the coldly efficient transcontinental systems. The story of the shortline railroads needs to be told before it is too late. Our little country-cousin roads are quickly disappearing.

Clifton E. Hull, 1969