Eastern Railroad Discussion > Southern Vacation Day 2: A Day With A Family Line GP16 (Caldwell)

Day 2 of my southern trip I spent the day with the Caldwell Railroad. This small railroad runs on Tuesdays and sometimes Fridays. It runs from Hickory to Lenior, North Carolina. The line has only 3 customers along the line, power for this railroad is 2 original painted Family Line GP16's complete with their original horns and no dich lights. I started at Hickory around 930am and just followed them north to Lenior and waited for the return trip. I caught it multiple times between Lenior and Hickory as the speed is 10 mph and less in some areas. No other place can you see a classic Family Line unit hauling freight. Enjoy!!

Leaving Lenior



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/19 15:14 by Ohiorailfan.

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Working an industry on the south side of Lenior

Passing through Hudson

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more from the Hudson area

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A few shots between Hudson and Granite Falls

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Passing Granite Falls

Coming into Hickory

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more from around Hickory

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last few

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Superior chase photos.
Thanks for sharing these.
Bob

Quite a find. What's the story with that one section of welded rail with concrete ties? New grade crossing?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/19 16:09 by CPR_4000.

I miss them running the Thermal Belt Railway as well.  I went up a few times to watch their operations.  I was wondering the same thing about the concrete ties and welded rail in that one pic.  There are sections of several welded rail places along that line.
BTW, nice pics.

NC_CSXFAN13

Maybe on the days they are not running trains they could apply some part to those relics.

I believe at the town hall/municipal building in Hudson NC is a wooden ex-Delaware & Hudson cupola caboose.  Complex sits a block or so west of tracks.  I think this branch line may have been Carolina & Northwestern subsidiary under former Southern Rwy years ago.

Great series!  Really enjoyed each and every one of your photos.
Thanks for your posting.
ALLEN

Fascinating operation....thanks for posting this...

Nice pics!!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Earl...

You get my vote for the most traveld rail fan on the Eastern board   : )