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Great Locomotive Chase
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150 years later, Andrews Raid still resonates
KENNESAW, Ga. — Dozens of trains roar through town every day. They speed past the historic 1908 train depot in the heart of town A few feet away from the tracks, idly sits a 155-year-old steam locomotive that pulled into town a rainy Saturday morning nearly 150 years ago. It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train stopped for a 20 minute breakfast. What nobody knew was that 20 men led by James J. Andrews planned to steal the locomotive and then destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link
History
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
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
Rail Blog
Retracing Fess Parker’s steps in Georgia
ATLANTA – Fess Parker, a long-time actor known for portraying famous historical figures turned California winemaker, died today. He was 85. Parker is perhaps best-remembered for playing both Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on television shows based on the real life historical figures. But, one of his often-overlooked roles has a strong connection to Georgia. Parker portrayed James J. Andrews in Walt Disney’s 1956 movie “The Great Locomotive Chase.” The movie retells the story of the Andrews Raid of April 12, 1862, in which Union soldiers stole a locomotive planning to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad between Atlanta and
History
Small locomotive highlights area’s railroad roots
MARIETTA, Ga. – The little locomotive sitting in a fenced in area under a canopy is dwarfed by the locomotives that pass by no more than 50 feet away. Locomotive No. 81421 was built in 1916 by Marietta’s own Glover Machine works. The 2-6-0 narrow gauge steam engine operated as Coulbourn Brothers No. 4 starting the following year. In 1921, the locomotive returned to Glover Machine Works. Glover Machine Works dates to the early 1890s and was an important steam locomotive builder, although it was less known than many of the other, larger builders. The company built 200 locomotives between
History
Terminal Station harkens back to city’s railroad past
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – During the Civil War, the railroad was vital to Chattanooga, bringing supplies to the troops stationed in the city and also transporting reinforcements to nearby destinations. In April 1862, Chattanooga was the destination of the failed Andrews Raid — a Union raid aimed at destroying the Western & Atlantic Railroad that served the city. Over the years, a number of major railroads served the city, including the Cincinnati Southern Railway, which on March 5, 1880, operated a southbound that departed Cincinnati bound for Chattanooga that was nicknamed Chattanooga Choo Choo, or so the story goes. During its