SMYRNA, Georgia — Like any railroad, the Western & Atlantic Railroad is about so much more than the number of cylinders a locomotive had or its wheel configuration.
It’s about the people and places who helped shape the railroad and whose lives were shaped by the railroad.
That’s a key point I make in every presentation I give about the venerable state-owned line between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee. To appreciate the Western & Atlantic is to appreciate the local communities where the rail line runs, delving into the people and the places that made — and make — the line unique.
For the modern wanderer or gadabout, that means indulging in the food and imbibing the drink available in these many communities.
It’s no surprise that Atlanta has grown into a culinary capital. But those foodie delights aren’t limited to Atlanta’s city limits; they are found across the metro Atlanta region and the state, to be sure.
The danger of focusing solely on Atlanta is that we miss out on the unexpected. From a food and drink perspective, think about the number of breweries or brewpubs along the tracks, particularly in Acworth, Cartersville and Dalton.
We can safely say that food has always been critical to the Western & Atlantic. Just consider the Andrews Raid and the events of April 12, 1862. If not for food, would the Great Locomotive Chase even have happened?
One of the joys of railfanning for me has always been exploring the small towns and unexpected hamlets along the tracks. With this occasional and ongoing series, we’ll find the well-known and unexpected places that every ferroequinologist should frequent.
Is it too much of a leap to say that without the Western & Atlantic, the region’s culinary scene wouldn’t be what it is today? I’m willing to say it would not be, but I guess we’ll find out shortly.
Stay tuned, and bring your appetite.
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