David Brewer wanted us to have as full an experience of the railroad as possible. So he offered cab rides or a ride on the train. Elizabeth took him up on the cab ride offer for the outbound trip and in the passenger cars for the return trip. I chose to ride in the train for the full trip so as to be able to experience each of the cars in the consist. Unfortunately, the bi-level car was locked. So Elizabeth happily walked up to the engine and I met my car host, Allan, who let me on to the train and we had the historian, as well as David, on the train. The train left and I started to explore.
The interior of St. Louis-San Francisco coach 1062.
The Firefly poster on the wall.
Pictures of the car while in service.
Information about this car.
The interior of Long Island coach 182.
Our tickets for the train trip.
Calera and Shelby hand car. I went outside to the open cars.
A look back at the Shelby Southern narrow gauge station.
Making our way through the forest.
Looking back.
Looking forward.
Another view to the rear.
The Timberline Golf Course that the train passes through.
Concrete milepost 427.
The train passing through more of the forest.
More of the Timberline Golf Course.
The concrete whistle post.
The train taking a crossing along the route.
The boarding area at the Obion Winery, with whom they partner for events.
Another boarding platform.
Looking back.
Last year's hurricane plus some tornados did considerable damage along the railroad and about sixty trees had to be cut.
Concrete milepost 428.
Looking forward and back.
Crossing a branch of the Buxahatchee Creek.
Views along our route.
Concrete milepost 429.
Passing No Name Lake.
Tree damage along the route.
The train continued to run into the forest until we had to stop due to a tree across the tracks.
Elizabeth had a first-hand view of this experience. The engineer first tried sawing the branches which was partially successful but the larger limbs required the use a chainsaw. This delayed the train about ten minutes but he was successful so the train was able to pass through and continue.
Passing by the tree that delayed us.
More trees that had fallen.
Taking another of the big curves on the line.
Switch ahead.
Going through another of the crossing on this railroad.
Coming to the run-around track at Springs Junction.
Taking more curves along the railroad.
View of the Alabama forest.
Taking another curve by another downed tree on the way to the end of the line.
The end of the line with the wooden barricade.
Concrete milepost 430. We went to the end of the line where there was a wooden barricade and the train could not go any further. At some point, the Heart of Dixie Railroad would like to extend to Shelby but three bridges need to be rebuilt and it would be a major undertaking and expense. The train returned to Springs Junction where Elizabeth then joined me in the open car.
Calera and Shelby SW8 2019 running around the train at Springs Junction.
During the trip back.
Station One Mile sign outside Calera.
Crossing a bridge over a creek.
Concrete milepost 426 sign.
Taking one of the last curves before we returned.
Yard Limit sign.
Coming back into the station area.
About to deboard at the station. We thanked the crew as we detrained for the excellent time but they said they were not done yet. That will be the last part of this story.
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