Five key moments in the history of the Western & Atlantic Railroad

A look at the “State Road,” the Western & Atlantic running between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

‘Crookedest Road Under the Sun’


‘State Road’ features curves, bridges and a stunning tunnel

  • The railroad formally completed construction of its line in May 1850
  • The railroad built several engineering marvels in constructing the line between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Among the most impressive elements of the road is the antebellum tunnel south of Dalton, which served trains from 1850 to 1928

Great Locomotive Chase

A daring adventure behind enemy lines

  • Union spies under James J. Andrews stole a locomotive while stopped at Kennesaw, Georgia (then known as Big Shanty)
  • Their goal was to destroy the Western & Atlantic in the hopes of bringing an end to the Civil War
  • The mission failed; several members of the party were hanged as spies

Leasing the Line

The state has leased the line since 1870

  • In 1870, state officials leased the line to a group of investors that included Joseph E. Brown, the governor of the state during the Civil War
  • Following the Civil War, the state opted to lease the Western & Atlantic in the hopes of removing politics from the railroad
  • The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis leased the line beginning in 1890 (its corporate successor, CSX, still leases the line from the state)

A Near Sell

Lawmakers debate selling line​ but decide to retain ownership

  • The Louisville and Nashville Railroad leased the line, and the state was deciding on an extension of the lease
  • Following political maneuvering, the Southern Railway made a pitch to lease the line and nearly wrestled control from the Louisville and Nashville
  • At the time, lawmakers entertained some discussion about whether Georgia should sell the Western & Atlantic

A Road for the 20th Century

Western & Atlantic remains an important link in the national railroad network

  • The Georgia State Properties Commission and CSX in 2018 agreed to a new 50-year lease of the Western & Atlantic
  • A railroad consultant in May 1978 issued a report that declared the tracks to be unsafe
  • Unlike previous eras, the Western & Atlantic line today is a well-maintained line and an integral part of the national rail network

The above is based on Todd DeFeo’s book about the Western & Atlantic.

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About Todd DeFeo 435 Articles
Todd DeFeo loves to travel anywhere, anytime, taking pictures and notes. An award-winning reporter, Todd revels in the experience and the fact that every place has a story to tell. He is owner of The DeFeo Groupe and also edits Express Telegraph and The Travel Trolley.