I am on a business trip to Conway and Myrtle Beach, SC, and noticed there is what appears to be an abandonded RR going from Conway to Myrtle Beach, parallel to US 501. There is a drawbridge over the Intracoastal Waterway that is always in the up position.

What is this RR, and is it in fact abandonded?

Wes Woodruff Orlando, FL

-- Wes Woodruff (woodruff_wes@bah.com), October 15, 2001

Answers

The ex ACL Branch from Conway SC to Myrtle Beach SC is owned by Horry County and is on lease to the Carolina Southern Railway. This line hasn`t seen any traffic in about 10 or 12yrs due to the Pine Island Draw Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway being out of service. Repairs have been made to the bridge and work is underway to get the line into shape. Freight Service should begin sometime around the first of the year. There will be No Passenger or Excursion trains run on this line due to the lease agreement with Horry County. Right now the owner of the Carolina Southern Ken Pippin,and Horry County are having a few disagreements over the lease, but hopefully all that can be worked out.

Later Michael Ridenhour WSSB/HPT&D Engineer

-- Michael Ridenhour (michaelr4501@aol.com), October 20, 2001.

This is ex-ACL, now owned by a short line RR known as the "Carolina Southern" . I believe they recently put the section over the intercoastal back into service, why, i have no idea, possibly for excursions

-- troy nolen (kirkwood@gdn.net), October 17, 2001.

Wes-

The railroad is SCL, but unsure as to if it is active or not.

James

-- James Baker (SNBfan17@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.