Back in my Day - Railroads

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Railroads were at one time a big part of the community. Walterboro had a spur line running from the Green Pond crossing to Walterboro with a siding running to the Airport where the poll yard still operates today and the main track running through downtown across Jefferies Blvd and through Forest Hills with at trestle located on Ireland Creek. You can still see the old roadbed just behind the movie theatre. This bridge actually had a train wreck where railcars fell into the creek. This line ran to the mill that was located where QT is building their location across from Wal-Mart. This line was abandoned in 1986 and has been transformed at least partially into a walking train with a nice picnic area and parking lot.

The current main line is coming through Green Pond. This is owned by CSX but had a linage dating back to Seaboard Coast Line and Seaboard Systems. The predecessor to Seaboard Air Line was merged with Atlantic Coastline this merger occurred in 1976. The original ACL track was located further east of the current CSX line and call the Charleston Subdivision. Evidence of this track can be seen in the ACE Basin and about a mile east of the Tubman Bridge. This track also can be seen in Pritchardville as part of a linier walking trail and to the west of the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah. This track connected with the roundhouse area in Savannah.

The Hampton and Branchville Railroad was contracted in. 1962 to supply rail service to the Canady’s Power Plant. The tracks are still in existence but unused today. The line carried it’s last load in 2013.

Another local short line was the Lightsey Brother Railroad located in eastern Hampton County and Western Colleton County. This lumber railroad had a major siding in Miley SC.

In St. George the Main Line for Norfolk and Southern runs through the middle of town. This track went into service in 1830 and was the first steam railroad service in America. The track ran from Charleston the Hamberg for 136 miles. There is a historical marker in downtown St. George.

One of the more interesting railroads in the area took recruits to Parris Island, boarding them in Yemassee and transporting them to Port Royal. The Port Royal Railroad ceased operation in the 1990’s but had tracks that were very visible in the Beaufort area.

Many cities in South Carolina were built around the railroads, evidence can be seen in numerous towns with greenspaces were the tracks once ran. Bamberg is a good example. Tracks still run in this formation through Varnville with the track merging with the mainline in Yemassee.

As you drive around the area you can still see evidence of roadbeds and even swing bridges in the area. Stations have even been converted into meeting spaces, stores, and even restaurants. Take a look I may surprise you with what you find.