Casey Jones is as much myth as he is historic figure. Jones was catapulted into American folklore and became a railroad legend shortly before 4 a.m. on April 30, 1900.
Less than 100 years ago, a narrow-gauge short line railroad once served the Dunwoody community, connecting it to a major thoroughfare between Charlotte and Atlanta.
At about 8 p.m. on Sept. 29, 1906, a northbound Louisville & Nashville Railroad passenger train — No. 102 — steamed towards a swing bridge crossing the Cumberland River. Near the overpass, a glowing red light broke the night’s darkness, signaling for an approaching train to stop.