Graham County Railroad (Western NC)

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I used to ride the Graham County Shay #1925 when Ed Collins was engineer back in the middle '60's. I have several references and photos but would like more for an article I'm working on. All help would be greatly appreciated. Being new to the Taplines page, would be interested to know if you have already done a piece on this wonderful little (12 mile but 2 shay) operation.

-- Richard Wehr (flyteleder@aol.com), May 18, 1998

Answers

You may already know that the 1925 is at Spencer Shops in Salsbury NC. I visited the Graham County in the early 60's while on a family vacation. We were invited to ride the next day but were staying in Gatlenburg and could not get back. Always did love the line after that.

-- Daryl Grannis (ddgrannis@kih.net), February 03, 1999.

The GC article you mentioned is in "More Railroads You Can Model" publ. in 1978 by Kalmbach (softcover).The original article is from MR, April 1962.

-- Bill Hadley (Bscale64@aol.com), May 19, 1998.

Dear Richard, I have not featured the Graham County RR as of yet, though I did do one on the nearby Tallulah Falls RR and the Smoky Mountain RR. Foxfire 10 does mention the GCRR in its Tallulah Falls story, where they interviewed the section foreman for the GC. I thought I had more info for you but I don't. I do have a negative of GCRR # 1926 taken at Robbinsville in 1950. Model railroader has a story and track plan in one of their layout books based on real railroads but I think it is out of print now. The only info I have is out of Ed Lewis's American Shortline RR guides of 1978 and 1991: 12 miles Robbinsville to a connection with the Southern near Topton. Rail is 60/80 lb. and maximum load limit is 200,000 lbs. In 1975 the company suspended operations due to storm damage. Traffic was furniture, pulpwood and woodchips. Incorporated 2/27/05 but was not opened until 1916 by the Bemis Lumber Co.. Common carrier operations did not begin until 1925. The RR was abandoned on 11/1/1970, but passenger service was resumed on 7/3/73 and freight service resumed on 1/8/74. In 1976 service was suspended due to flood damage and efforts were made to reopen. Service resumed May of 1982 and discontinued on 1/9/84. Abandoned in Feb. of 1987.

locomotives in 1978 36 Lima 2804 1/16 3-truck shay 102 GE 31725 4/53 70 ton 600 hp 1925 Lima 3256 2/25 3-truck shay additional locomotives 1926 Lima /26 3-truck shay

Additional Info: Rails through Dixie by John Krause and H. Reid has a story on the GCRR. Also Steam and Thunder in the Timber by Michael Koch has some GCRR photos.

From the 1953 Pocket List of RR Officials: J. B. Veach, pres. Oil City, PA R. M. Eagle V.P., Carmona, TX L. W. Wilson, sec/tres Robbinsville, NC

1926,1934 and 1954 Official RR Equip. Guide same info for each decade which means it was never updated for over 30 years. 1 steam locomotive, 2 Flats, 1 hopper.

-- Donald R. Hensley, Jr. (taplines@greenepa.net), May 19, 1998.


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