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History

Bridge piers offer a link to Civil War

EMERSON, Ga. – In order to complete the Western & Atlantic Railroad, engineers had to overcome a number of natural obstacles. That resulted in a 1,447-foot-long tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain and a bridge over the Etowah River south of Cartersville. The bridge over the Etowah River was completed in 1847, about three years before the Atlanta-to-Chattanooga rail line opened. The bridge’s stone pillars are all that remain of the once-formidable structure. During the Civil War, James J. Andrews, who led a group of Union soldiers with the intent of destroying the Western & Atlantic Railroad, identified the bridge as a

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History

Marking the anniversary of the Andrews Raid

KENNESAW, Ga. – North Georgia saw its fair share of battles during the Civil War, but “the most extraordinary and astounding adventure of the war,” as one Civil War-era newspaper put it, typically doesn’t garner more than a few words in most history books. The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, took place 148 years ago today. Led by James J. Andrews, a group of Union spies planned to steal a train locomotive and destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn. The route of the Andrews Raid can be easily

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Commuter Rail

MARTA Renames ‘Yellow’ Line to Avoid ‘Racially Insensitive’ Perceptions

DECATUR, Ga. – MARTA announced that it is changing the name of one of its lines to avoid any perceived “racially insensitive” implications. Members of the Asian community expressed concern about one of the rail system’s lines being renamed the “Yellow” line. In October, MARTA introduced color-coded rail lines – similar to systems in other major cities – saying it will help cut down on rider confusion. With the change, the former Northeast-South Line, which serves Doraville and Chamblee on the Northside, became the Yellow Line. “In light of the concerns that have been expressed regarding the use of the

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Commuter Rail

MARTA Moves to Color-Coded Lines

ATLANTA — MARTA last month introduced color-coded rail lines — similar to systems in other major cities — saying it will help cut down on rider confusion. “The changes we’re making in our rail-line identification system will help both frequent and occasional users of our system,” MARTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a news release. “Our goal is to ensure that customers continue to move safely through the system without feeling overwhelmed.” With the change, the former North-South Line is now the Red Line, the Northeast-South Line is the Yellow Line, the East-West line is the Blue Line and