Featured Shortline

Alabama Central Railroad

The nine-mile Jasper to Marigold line of the Alabama Central depended on coal and when that was depleted, the #29 and a second engine stopped interchange at Jasper with the Frisco, the Southern, and the Illinois Central.

John Krause, Rails Through Dixie

acr_state egyptian

he Alabama Central Railroad served various coal mines in a small district in northwest Alabama, all about 7-10 miles north of Jasper. The line reach to Marigold, with a spur as far as Sunlight. At Jasper, the shortline took advantage of two mainlines crossing there and made connections to the Frisco (St. Louis San Francisco), the Illinois Central, and the Southern Railway. The pike hauled coal, most of which went to the generating plants of the Alabama Power Company. The line stabled several 2-8-0 steamers as late as 1960, as well as a wooden ex-Illinois Central caboose. Boomer #29 had a long southeastern shortline heritage: ex Onieda & Western, Chattahoochee Valley, and Birmingham Southern.

1910 Official Guide ad / collection

1930 Official Guide ad / collection

1948 Official Guide ad / collection

details

from Steam Locomotive & Railroad Tradition #17 - Feb 1967 / collection

from EXTRA 2200 South magazine - Feb 1970 / collection

from Steam Locomotive & Railroad Tradition #9 - Dec 1961 / collection

Alabama Central #29

Jasper, Al / Sep 1960 / JCH

Alabama Central #29

builder:ALCO Richmond

arrangement:2-8-0 "Consolidation"

built:Oct 1923, Alco #65287

fuel:soft coal / water

notes:

22x28" cylinders, 53" drivers, 200 psi

blt Birmingham Southern #35
to Birmingham Rail & Locomotive
to Chattahoochee Valley #35
to Oneida & Western #29
to Alabama Central #29
to Walker College display
to Alabama Mining Museum