This may be to specific to get answers, but I have been around NS in North Al for a good many yrs, but never knew much of the branch which I think is called the Anniston Sub. It starts off the NS Atl to Bhm main in Anniston and goes mainly south thru Talladega, Al serving several industries on the way. It crosses the NS Bhm to Columbus main at Childersburg AL I tried to follow south and I think it serves the Alabama Power coal fired steam gen plant at Wilsonville, al. If so, do the coal trains come from Bhm and are handed of to the branch at Childersburg? I made it to Wilton, AL where there is a small yard with engines tied up. Does anyone know how further south it goes? And how much traffic (#of trains) and do they tie up at Anniston (no wye there that I can see) And at Wilton there is a wye with a leg headed west as if it is a part of the branch going west. Road is in good shape. Anyway, maybe someone from around here is on this forum. And there is diamond on the line (CSX) at Calera, AL
Thanks, Northtowne
Northtowne, you have followed part of one of the oldest railroads in Alabama. As you left Anniston (where there used to be a wye, but apparently there is no longer one there), you followed a road that originally ran from Rome, Georgia, to Meridian, Mississippi. It still continues to Selma, and on to Demopolis. About ninety years ago, the bridge across the Tombigbee was taken out by a steamboat--and the Southern saw no need to replace it.
At Wilton, the line from Burstall (just west of Bessemer) joins it, and that line continues on its way to Mobile from Marion Junction (west of Selma). There was a line that ran from Marion Junction to Akron, but it was abandoned many years ago.
I am not certain, but I think that the coal trains come down from Birmingham to Wilton and then run to the power plant.
Johnny
Deggesty, I had no idea this was the old Mer/Selma/Rome road. I have read about it and how it was built to Blue Mtn near Anniston and they stopped for a time until they could continue to Ga.The Burstall line must be the west leg of the wye at Wilton that I saw today.
Back in 1967, I rode a steam excursion behind 4501 that covered the loop Birmingham-Wilton-Anniston-Birmingham. I do not remember just what years I rode further excursions that covered parts of the loop--one to Selma behind diesel power in 1968 and another one to Selma behind steam (I do not remember just when or behind what engine)--and a shakedown run to Anniston and back in 1970 behind 4501 after she had been shopped; she was turned in Anniston--the cars were not turned because the wye was not fully trusted for the cars.
On the loop trip, we ran as 2nd 91 to Wilton and 2nd 92 to Wilsonville, and as X4501N to Anniston and X4501W back to Birmingham, using Mobile Division crews to Anniston and Birmingham Division crews back to Birmingham. NS may have changed the routing for the coal train, taking it through the tunnel on the CG and not over the ridge between Burstall and Wilton, though probably may necessitate two crews who change at Childersburg--one crew would run all the way Birmingham-Wilsonville via Wilton.
My best trip of all in the area came when the 722 and 630 were being moved from Atlanta to Birmingham for shopping in December of 1970. A few other members of the Heart of Dixie Railroad Club went over to Atlanta the day before and rode the special to Birmingham. Going over, I asked the engineer who was going to run the 722 (the lead engine) about riding the engine, and he told me it was not his to grant permission. When we stopped to take coal and water in Anniston, I went up to the engines--and the engineer beckoned me to come on up. The cab was a bit crowded, with the engineer, two firemen, Mrs. Purdie, and me in it; Bill Purdie hung on outside except when we went through Cook Springs Tunnel.
Do you know how much business the road has south of Wilton? Where is the end; is it at another NS junction? Near Demopolis I think the NS BHM to Meridian (AGS) main crosses the Tombigbee along side the highway. I thought all this time that the CSX (Lineville Sub) was the busiest line thru Talladega and I never saw a single train on the NS branch, though I worked in Talladega for a while.
Northtowne
Northtowne, I am sorry, but I have no idea as to how much business there is in that area now; I moved from Reform (where I played with the AT&N for about nine years) a little over forty years ago, and so all of my ETT's for that area are at least forty years old.
Northtowne, the branch from Anniston to Talladega currently sees no traffic. However, from Talladega south to Wilton, there is a local that serves Precision Strip. I'm not sure, but I think the train number is A84 that turns from Wilton.
Coal trains to Wilsonville, AL now come from the coal fields of Southern Illinois to B'ham then south on the old Central of Georgia main to Childersburg, then south on the N-Line branch to the Gaston Steam Plant at Wilsonville.
There are several industries around Calera & Montevallo that are served daily by the local out of Wilton. Trains A20 & A21 run from B'ham (Irondale) to Wilton 5 days a week with this traffic. There is also a cement train from Calera to Atlanta via Wilton then north on the R-Line to Burstall. Thence, the AGS to Bham and the original Southern main to Atlanta. Also, there is a rock train from Calera to Meridian, with loads and empties running alternate days. Not sure the symbol on those trains as it often changes.
At Wilton, the main from Burstall(Bessemer) joins the N-Line and continues south to Selma and Marion Jct. wih traffic for Mobile continuing south. The N-Line continues west to Demopolis to serve cement plants there.
Trains from Bham to Selma are 341 & 342 . Trains 384(with with distibuted power often) & 385 run B'ham-Mobile, and trains 182 & 183 run B'ham-McIntosh, AL, just north of Mobile. Grain(in season) and coal trains to the Mobile area also run, though not daily.
In summary, the R-Line between Burstall and Wilton sees anywhere from 7 to 12 trains. I'm sure I've left something out.................hope this helps!!
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