Could you please tell me about current operations (if any) on the ex C of G line through LaFayette? I drove by recently, and it looked like the tracks see service about once per week. I assume that if there is any operation, it is by a short line. What is the name of this short line, and where is the headquarters?

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

Regards, John Bresnahan

-- John Bresnahan (johnb@owdinc.com), February 07, 1998

Answers

Presently the line from line from Trion to Summerville is embargoed due to the bridge below the mill at Trion being out of service. However, it is expected that the embargo will be lifted once repairs on the bridge are completed. Installation of the turntable at Summerville is ongoing and should be completed in time for next Fall's trips.

-- Alan Walker (awalker2002@comcast.net), October 26, 2002.

Sat. March 4th the Chattooga & Chickamauga RY. Took the Trion to Summerville portion of their trackage off embargoed status for one day to accommodate a TVRM trainload of State of Georgia dignitaries including the Lt. Governor and many State Reps. etc. The weather was bad so the turnout at Summerville was light but there was a large contingent of protesters. These were proponents of the old state flag. They made stops at all the on line towns and I hear they got this same reception in all of them. They had a hard time running around the train at Summerville because the turntable is still resting in the house track. This is the first train (other than weed spraying runs) that has been this far south in a good while. They lost Roper just below LaFayette and if I am not mistaken they only get down to Trion every other week, down from once a week. If they do not get that turntable in soon the LaFayette to Summerville portion may go the way of the Summerville to Lyerly segment.

Warren

-- Warren D. Stephens (wdstephens@prodigy.net), March 04, 2001.

Oops, the button underneath the Spring Meeting announcement is "Full Story". Click there for details on the excursion over the C&C.

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), March 31, 1998.

And don't forget that the CGRHS is having its Spring membership meeting on April 25 in LaFayette. The Chattooga and Chickamauga RR is hosting us and we will have an excursion over the line to Rossville and back. Get the details by going back to the CGRHS home page, and then click on "details" underneath the meeting announcement.

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), March 31, 1998.

The shortline in question is the Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway, a subsidiary of the Columbus and Greenville Railway in Mississippi. Operations are based out of the station at La Fayette with freight service operating from Chattanooga (MP 445) to Trion (MP 410). Currently the track is ut of service below MP 408 as no freight traffic goes farther than Trion. The State of Georgia is in the process of purchasing the line from the Norfolk Southern and is retaining the Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway as the operator.

The purchase of the railroad line will in no manner change the operations agreement between the freight shortline and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. The Tennessee Valley Railroad operates steam and diesel powered passenger trains on the old Central on average of once a month in spring and summer with more trips in the fall and a few in winter (holiday trips). This year will see 22 scheduled passenger moves over the Central with many charter trips in addition to that. Trains operate to Chickamauga, La Fayette, or Trion depending on the date and include dining car service. In addition to coach seating, space in the restored 1920s Pullman can be reserved for slightly extra. The office car can also be chartered. Most of the fall trips are steam powered. Some of the trips run at night time. Those include our July 4th train to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and the December dinner trips to the Gordon Lee Mansion in Chickamauga.

As far as Syntec is concerned, I remember something being said that they were going to go back to the short line as it was actually less expensive than CSXT. To load and unload their railcars on CSXT, they were having to hire extra trucks to haul the freight the three miles between the plant and CSXT, making the lower rates moot. I don't know that that happened for sure but will find out.

Best regards,

Alan Walker, Conductor Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

-- Alan Walker (envlink@voyagferonline.net), March 31, 1998.

The Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway operates the the old CG line from Chattanooga Tn. through Summerville Ga. although I don't think that the have any freight service down that far anymore. They also operate what's left of the old TAG line from Chattanooga Tn down to Kensington Ga. The "C&C" was a profitable railroad untill CSX stole their best customer away, Syntec Ind. The line was for sale, with the state supposed to buy it. Todd Horton

P.S. Anyone got any "Central" pics from Rome or Cedartown?

-- Todd Horton (centga@aol.com), February 07, 1998.

The last time I checked, the Chatooga & Chickamauga Railway served LaFayette, using the old CofG line. Service was not scheduled, but as needed. Word - unofficial - was that it was two or three times per week. TVRM runs excursions down that line to Summerville each fall. Nice ride.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), February 07, 1998.