Fernwood,
Columbia & Gulf

The FC&G was in reality a very typical and not-too-significant shortline by nationwide railroad standards. Yet for many years it provided needed and more-or-less efficient transportation necessary for economic development in a rural area. It was for those who remember a colorful and delightful little carrier. What a treat it was to ride the cab or caboose on the daily freight, or to witness from track side the pusher engine uncoupling as speed increased at the top of the ruling grade. In latter years of operation one could count on seeing well maintained locomotives and caboose and light iron well aligned and in good repair snaking over undulating grades and through colorful, red clay cuts through the hills. There were few places prettier than the quiet depot and freight house at Kokomo on a spring evening in the rosy light of a setting Mississippi sun.

David S. Price - FC&G: A Colorful Mississippi Shortline

Dieselization came early to the FC&G. In Spring, 1945 the railroad purchased three new 44 ton diesel-electrics from General Electric and numbered them D-1, D-2, and D- 3. These were followed in April 1947 by another new GE 44-tonner Number D-4. In 1950 a fifth 44-tonner was purchased used. This unit had been New York, Ontario & Western #103. It became FC&G D-5. The fleet of 44-tonners was completed with the purchase of another used unit from the Mississippi Export. This locomotive had also been a former NYO&W unit and was numbered D-6 by the FC&G. The former NYO&W engines were both built in 1941 making D-5 and D-6 the oldest GE's on the roster. These 44 ton machines proved too light for satisfactory service on the FC&G. Iddo Enochs recalls a variety of maintenance problems with them stemming from the heavy demands of service. The FC&G as an East-West carrier crossed many water courses which run generally North to South in southern Mississippi. The line traversed rolling hills making for several short, but demanding, grades on right-of-way built originally for log trains. This taxed light locomotives to the maximum. The GE's were set-up for multiple unit operation, and it was not unusual to see four of the little GE diesels struggling to move tonnage over the line. The multiple unit operation of four little diesels presented an unusual sight

David S. Price - FC&G: A Colorful Mississippi Shortline

The six small GE's were replaced by two larger EMD's which became the total motive power for the FC&G's remaining years of operation. Both EMD locomotives carried road numbers equal to their rated horsepower. EMD SW-1 Number 600 was the smaller of the two and was favored as the regular switch engine at Fernwood. This locomotive was usually found making up the daily train for locomotive Number 900, an EMD SW-900, which had been purchased new in 1957. When tonnage reached about fifteen cars or so, Number 600 would couple behind the caboose at Fernwood and serve as a pusher to assist Number 900 with the train. After crossing the Bogue Chitto River and topping the stiff hill just east of the bridge, Number 600 would uncouple on the fly and return light to Fernwood to finish switching chores there. Number 900 could handle the train over the remainder of the line. Returning from Foxworth the line ascended for most of the nine and one-half miles to Kokomo. When Number 600 handled the main line run the engineer could keep the throttle wide open over this portion of the line and literally count the cross ties as they slowly disappeared under the pilot of the engine.

David S. Price - FC&G: A Colorful Mississippi Shortline