Logging Railroads Of South Carolina

Story of the independent and commercial loggers whose desire for the "green gold" helped shape South Carolina's history.

Many claim that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was the first in the United States, but in reality the Charleston & Hamburg was the first to provide regular service to passengers when it opened its doors in Charleston, South Carolina, on Christmas Day 1830. It would ultimately carry people and goods from the Lowcountry to what is now north Augusta. This volume by historian Thomas Fetters presents a fresh new look at the development and operations of America's premier railroad, including surprising information about key players and newly discovered stories about the railroad's role in the American Civil War. A comprehensive account of the Charleston & Hamburg's history from its inception through Reconstruction, The Charleston & Hamburg, with its forgotten stories of America's premier railroad, is a necessary addition to the bookshelves of historians and rail fans alike!

In this work, the most comprehensive of its kind, the author examines in engaging narrative and wonderful photography the development of the area’s complete railroading industry—Class 1 railroads, short lines, industrial and mining roads, and logging lines. Added to the textual histories are more than three hundred photographs and illustrations, including timetables and maps for most of the lines discussed.

Volume 3 of "If Rails Could Talk..." is the third of an planned eight volume series about the railroad logging along the Blue Ridge and adjoining Smoky Mountains. In volume 3, there are the stories of logging Allens Creek near Hazelwood, NC by rail and by log flume. Located near the present Waynesville, NC watershed, the logging town of Quinlantown and the Quinlan-Monroe Lumber Company is the center of the story that spans the years from 1901 through the early 19 teens. This was also Champion Fibre's first railroad logging operation. Also included is what is known about Champion's logging operation at Balsam, NC. The book contains the history of the only surviving locomotive from Champion's early logging railroads, Climax 1323, now at the Cradle of Forestry. The book contains several topo maps and many photographs, several published for the first time. Author Ron Sullivan, his wife Marilyn, and hiking partner Jerry Ledford spent many days hiking the old grades, most of them off of established trails and roads. They used a GPS to carefully trace the rail grades and transfer them to USGS topo maps. Gerald Ledford provided editing, just as he did for volumes one and two.

Volume 2 of "If Rails Could Talk..." is the second of a planned eight volume series about the railroad logging along the Blue Ridge and adjoining North Carolina Smoky Mountains. In volume 2, there are the stories of logging the West Fork of the Pigeon River watershed by rail. Located near present day Lake Logan, the logging town of Sunburst, North Carolina is the center of the story that spans the years from 1906 through 1926. The book covers the extensive logging railroads built by Champion Lumber and Suncrest Lumber into the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wildness and Areas. It also contains the story of the beginnings of the Champion Fibre Company. The book contains over 75 photographs, many published for the first time. Author Ron Sullivan, his wife Marilyn, and hiking partner Jerry Ledford spent many days hiking the old grades, most of them off of established trails and roads. They carefully used a GPS to trace the rail grades and transfer them to USGS topo maps. Edited by Gerald Ledford.

This book covers logging railroad history in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevaha, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from the 1860's through the 1950's.

Volume 4 of ¿If Rails Could Talk¿¿ is the fourth of a planned eight volume series about the railroad logging along the Blue Ridge and adjoining Smoky Mountains. In volume 4, there are the stories of the logging railroads that ran from Waynesville, NC; Band Mill Bottom, through Dellwood, and Maggie Valley. Waynesville is the story of the final attempt by Suncrest Lumber Company to log the Cataloochee Boundary of timber. For 25 years, the Cataloochee lands had been just out of reach geographically to 4 lumber companies. The book contains many photographs, some printed for the first time. It also contains track maps of all of the railroad grades, with accompanying aerial photographs of the same areas. Author Ron Sullivan, his wife Marilyn, and hiking partner / editor Jerry Ledford spent many days hiking the old grades, most of them off of established trails and roads. Ron used a GPS to trace the rail grades and transfer them to USGS topographic maps.

This highly illustrated book explains the business of logging railroads and provides examples of prototype operations. Photos of locomotives, equipment, and structures set the stage for modeling logging scenes and designing a logging layout.