Seaboard Air Line
The Seabord Air Line (SAL) came into Atlanta from Hamlet, N.C. on the line that is no known as the Abbeyville Sub. They had a small yard and locomotive service facility just off of the Howel wye are known as Howel yard. Today this is the site of a CSX bulk commodities distribution center. Trans loading for items like plastic pellets used in many industries, most notable is the carpet and textile industry. During the years that they had the service facility, it had a small roundhouse and turntable for steam that over time was converted to accommodate the diesel age that followed the steam eara of the railroad. Gradually, the building and tracks where removed and modernized for the times. Now there is very little of the original trackage left and has been retro fitted for the distribution center.
The SAL also had a line to Bhirmingham from Atlanta as well. Today there is very little rail left from line as it was abandoned and removed by both Seaboard System (SBD) and later on CSX. Today the line ends a few miles outside of Howel yard. The rest of the right of way had been converted to the Silver Comet Trail. As one can tell by the name of the trail, it was named for the passenger train that traveled the route.
Passenger trains that where operated into Atlanta include: Cotton Blossom and the Silver Comet.
More photographs to follow as time permits administrators to gather photos of passenger and freight trains in the Atlanta area.
A brief history of the SAL can be found here.
Raymond | 
February 27, 2010 5:19 am
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