Substack – Railfanning.org

Let’s start by defining what constitutes a railroad oddity

April 14, 2025 Todd DeFeo

I’ve been thinking about what oddities happened on the rails — and how to define oddity. In all the talks that I’ve given, something interesting has emerged.

A look at the Western & Atlantic built locomotives

April 9, 2025 Todd DeFeo

On the eve of the Civil War, the Western & Atlantic Railroad had more than 45 locomotives on its active roster.

‘Fanning Friday: April 4, 2025: The Kingston Flyer

April 4, 2025 Todd DeFeo

‘Fanning Friday is a new feature where we share videos and photos new and old. Today’s video of The Kingston Flyer was filmed last month in Kingston, New Zealand.

People & Places of the Western & Atlantic: The intro remarks never given

April 2, 2025 Todd DeFeo

I’m excited to highlight the people and places that made the Western & Atlantic Railroad the truly historic road that it is.

Great Locomotive Chase participant Franklin Alexander Crawford later kept history alive at the Cyclorama

January 28, 2025 Todd DeFeo

Franklin Alexander “Van” Crawford is one of the lesser-known participants in the Great Locomotive Chase, even if his role was minor.

People & Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad: ‘Uncle Joe’ Renard

January 24, 2025 Todd DeFeo

Joseph F. “Uncle Joe” Renard was a “pioneer engineer” on the Western & Atlantic, and when he died in 1905 at 68 years old, he was said to be among the best-known railroad men in the state.

Sanford Bell, an unknown stalwart of the Western & Atlantic Railroad

January 21, 2025 Todd DeFeo

I’ve grown particularly fascinated by the people who worked on and shaped the Western & Atlantic Railroad.

The 1960s political quandary tied to leasing the Western & Atlantic Railroad

January 16, 2025 Todd DeFeo

As the calendar turned to 1967, Georgia lawmakers faced a political quandary: the impending lease of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad.