Alabama & Tennessee Mini-Adventures

Too bad I didn't have time for trains or other industrial archeology, there was plenty of it to be had in the south's version of Pittsburgh - Birmingham, Alabama - where I spent June 13-19th. Plenty of feeder lines, empty roadbeds, abandoned facilities, mines, steel mills and all the other accouterments that get some of us ferroequinarchaeologists excited. I'll have to go back some day. I was a little distracted (again!) by a debate tournament and the kids I had charge of. At least I got a bit of recon done in the endless driving to the local venues and other attractions.


A bit of a pleasant surprise was the capital of Alabama, Montgomery. We drove down there one afternoon to see the old Confederate capital in addition to all the civil rights sites. We ended up at the visitor's center which is conveniently located downtown in the old Union Station. It was pretty well renovated rather than torn down. Even the train shed was intact, though now it was used for parking cars rather than passenger trains. The inside was marvelous and had plenty of clean, well organized displays of history and things to visit. I should have taken more photos, but I was busy with other duties. We took a great trolley ride (bus) through the city for a measly .50 each from the station. The driver was a great tour guide whom we gave a 75% tip. We couldn't get enough of that A/C though and the station was a good place to cool down. CSX did provide a freight a few feet from our vans as we loaded to leave the station.

The other substantial rail encounter was at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. What a place! I enjoyed just wandering around while the kids did the rides. The other chaperon and coach each took a turn riding the 3' gauge railroad with me. The Dollywood Express uses an ex-White Pass and Yukon 110 ton 2-8-2 Baldwin produced during WWII for military use in Alaska. The cars were nothing to brag about being basically flats or gondolas with a roof and bench seats placed about as close together as possible. Not comfortable at all. But the coal fired Baldwin was worth the ride. The steam sounds, cinders and smoke were pleasing to the senses. I was impressed with the care the railroaders took with their equipment and everything was relatively clean and well maintained. The ride was over a huge "dog bone" shaped line with spring switches at each end and a total ride of about 5 miles. A stiff grade and high filled roadbeds seemed to me that it must have been someone's mining railroad at one time (for future research but I'll take comments if you know). It reminded me of Colorado narrow gauge lines in places, though the trees were too thick for the west.

I couldn't help but pause to watch the time honored drill of shoveling coal and taking on water. They use 5 tons of coal per day. About 2 pounds per passenger. I really wished I had my good camera when I heard the steam whistle across the valleys - where we parked. They really took care of the details on this locomotive. It had the more realistic paint that we saw in Strasburg last summer rather than the gawdy stuff some parks apply.

Not much railfanning this time compared to tournaments past, but I was "on duty" 24/7 and had to take what I could get. At least my other interests like history and competitive debate got thoroughly scratched. Now I can spend the summer on just rail related pursuits!


BC