Can anyone tell me how many tracks are located in the yard at Talladega? I am interested in the area from 1977 to 1995. Were any tracks torn up during that time? Along with trackside buildings etc. I know locals for CSX operate out of Talladega, so the yard must be of medium size.

Thanks James

-- James Ray (Jwray123@aol.com), October 03, 1999

Answers

James, I don't recall noticing too many changes in the yard trackage in the time period you mention. Today, I think there are 2 or 3 tracks on the geographic north side of the mainline and one on the south side. In the 1970s there used to be another siding running behind where the present pre-fab building is, on which some old boxcars were parked (and there used to be an AB&C boxcar body where the prefab is now).

It is such a shame that the city didn't preserve the old freight station, which bit the dust in the last year or two. It (and the old passenger station, which was taken down in the 1950s) had the distinction of being built with poured concrete walls. AB&A, which built the line, was a big believer in poured concrete for just about everything.

By the way, if anybody out there has photos of the old AB&A/C passenger station, or any photos of any part of the Talladega station area and yard, or L&N and SR crossings, etc., in the 1960s or before, please let me know.

Larry Goolsby

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), October 07, 1999.