Event Details:
- Who: Author and historian Todd DeFeo
- What: Smyrna and the Railroad: The People Who Ran (and Rode) the Trains
- When: 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Where: Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room
- Admission: Free; light refreshments will be served
SMYRNA, Georgia — Author and historian Todd DeFeo will highlight some of the lesser-known railroad stories with a Smyrna connection throughout history.
DeFeo will present “Smyrna and the Railroad: The People Who Ran (and Rode) the Trains” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, in the Smyrna Public Library.
The event is part of the Sunday Lecture Series sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.
Railroads didn’t just pass through Smyrna. Many in the area depended on them for their livelihoods. Whether holding high-profile positions, such as a conductor or meeting a spouse because of the streetcar, railroads played a significant role in the lives of many locals.
“Smyrna has a fascinating railroad history, dating to before the area was incorporated as a city,” DeFeo said. “But a railroad isn’t just the stories of the trains that ran up and down the tracks; it’s the stories of people. While some stories are tragic and others are heartwarming, all are compelling and help tell the story of the town we know today.”
Known for his well-researched and anecdote-rich presentations, DeFeo brings to life the human stories behind the steel rails. He is the publisher and editor of Railfanning.org and the founder of The DeFeo Groupe.
DeFeo has written several railroad histories, including Built for High Speed: A Brief History of the Atlanta Northern Railway, which is available for checkout at the Smyrna Public Library. He has also written histories of several railroads, including the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad, the Indiana, Alabama & Texas and the Western & Atlantic railroads.
For more information, please contact the Smyrna Public Library or visit FriendsOfSmyrnaLibrary.com.
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