Eastern Alabama Railway, LLC is one of many short line railroad companies owned by Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. On November 26, 1990, the line was sold by CSX to the Eastern Alabama Railway, a subsidiary of Kyle Railways. Kyle Railways later sold the EARY to RailAmerica in 2002 and RailAmerica was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2012.
The line, which is long, was constructed in 1883 as a narrow gauge railroad known as the Anniston and Atlantic Railroad. On July 19, 1889, the Anniston & Atlantic Railroad became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad under the Alabama Mineral Railroad. The L&N became part of the Seaboard System in 1982 and the CSX in 1986.
The EARY also operated a separate line running from Wellington to Anniston, Alabama. The Wellington line was abandoned in November 1992. The Wellington line was also former Louisville & Nashville track and ran through Alexandria - Mahlep - Gladden Jct - Leatherwood - Blue Mountain.
Traffic The railroad's main commodities are limestone, urea, paper products, and food products. The EARY hauled around 15,000 carloads in 2008.
Towns served Talladega, Alabama Interchange with CSX Bemiston, Alabama Sycamore, Alabama Sylacauga, Alabama Location of Enginehouse and interchange with Norfolk Southern Gantts Quarry, Alabama
Summary of operations Anniston and Atlantic Railroad 1883 - 1889 Louisville and Nashville Railroad/Alabama Mineral Railroad: 1889 - 1982 Seaboard System Railroad: 1982 - July 1, 1986 CSX Transportation: July 1, 1986 - November 26, 1990
See also
List of United States railroads List of Alabama railroads
References
Sources Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide 5th ed., (Kalmbach Books, 1996). Mike Walker, SPV's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Southern States (Steam Powered Publishing & SPV, 2001) Ownership and detail of rail line. North America Railroad Map Software v 2.13, (Railway Station Productions, 2004)
External links Eastern Alabama Railway official webpage - Genesee and Wyoming website