[quote user="Gramp"]
Understandable. That ROW was some of the first built in the nation. 1830. Think of it. In operation over 180 years. The first steam powered passenger train in the US ran on that track. A Best Friend of Charleston replica couldn't run on that track for the historical tourism? Charleston is all about the Nation's history if nothing else.
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I may be mistaken, but I think that this area in Charleston, S.C. Is originally part of the 1st long Distance railroad in the U.S. The Memphis & Charleston RR. which was completed in 1857 at Memphis,Tn. It was formalized at Memphis, by the delivery of a hogshead of water from the Charleston area, and as part of the celebration (Marriage of the Waters) and was dumped into the Mississippi River at Memphis.
The railroad as completed in 1857 was just in time to be a part of the Civil War. Battles took place at different pointd on the line; specifically one was the Battle at Shiloh Church in Apr. (6-7th)1862 was also in the same area of the Battle of Pittsburg Landing (on the Tennessee River) nearby.
The line was completed, like many others during that time; were basicly, used to connect the larger cities on its route; it was a collection of several railroads, strung together to make the liner work. It was originally built to the gauge of 5 feet;
See linked @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_and_Charleston_Railroad
In 1894 the M&C RR became part of the Southern Rwy and later it was incorporated into the Norfolk Southern RR. ITs' routing currently, roughly follows US Hwy 72 thought Ms. Al, to approx. Chattanooga, Tn.
Sad but reality. There is little industry left in that space and the RE is really expensive. There will be more revenue generated from lattes than box cars.
Charleston, SC exSouthern ROW. Sad to see railroads wither away, particularly where economic activity abounds.
https://chstoday.6amcity.com/lowcountry-lowline-charleston-sc/
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