I have an old sealing stamp for the Mobile and Girard Railroad Company. It is brass with a wood handle and is excellant condition. The center depicts a very old steam engine with the writing around the edge. I would like any info on this railroad.

-- Alan Edwards (aedwards@outdrs.net), October 16, 2002

Answers

This is in response to tonight's(July 7, 2004) M&G memories posting. That writer was correct about riding the M&G between Columbus Ga and Union Springs Ala. However, mention was made to other M&G routes there. The M&G crossed the M&E(Montgomery and Eufaula) at Union Springs(U.S.). Both lines also interchanged with the Union Springs and Northern/Birmingham and South Eastern there at one time. Alas, all is gone there with only rail still visible in U.S. is "yard" lead to US&N/B&SE line in pavement of US 82.......that and the coaling tower on the M&E line. The M&G remains are a bit of track in Andalusia area, Troy to Goshen and Girard to Nuchols. The last remaining track of M&E is a couple miles abandoned in Montgomery and bits and pieces just outside of Eufaula. This Eufaula trackage was mentioned in a tourist newsletter we got today as being under review to become a rails to trails conversion. Enuff fer tonight, Rick Perry residing in the last M&G depot

-- Rick Perry (RailsEnd@mindspring.com), July 07, 2004.

As a child, I lived in Columbus, Georgia. Most of my relatives lived in and round Union Springs, Alabama. To get there, we took the M&G or The Mobile and Girard Railray train. This train originated in Columbus, dropped us in Union Springs and according to my Mother, treminated in Andalusia, Alabama. Apparently there were other routes also because I heard my parents say that there was an M&G line running between Eufala, Alabama and Montgomery. These were great old steam engines and a great and wonderful part of my memories. The really good thiong about these was anyone waving a handerchief along the rout would be picked up.

-- Nathaniel Harris (njack731@yahoo.com), July 07, 2004.

We recently ran a short Web site article on the history of the Mobile & Girard as part of our "Rail Fan's Guide to Columbus." To read it, please come to the CGRHS Home page at

http://cofg.org

and scroll down until you see the Columbus railfan's guide. There is a link within the railfan's guide to the Mobile and Girard's history article.

Also, most of this line is gone now, but a 15-mile or so section between Troy, Alabama and Goshen survives and plans are to rebuild it.

There is an article about this on the Home page, too.

Ron. Wright Web Site Manager, CofGa Rwy HS

-- Ron. Wright (ron@cofg.org), October 16, 2002.