Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway

The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is a North Carolina success story. Formed from parts of the original Norfolk Southern Railway, the railroad essentially started from scratch and has grown into the largest privately held shortline or regional railroad in the state. It provides both freight and passenger service in the rural region east of Charlotte and through the booming Sandhills Region near Pinehurst.The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway dates to 1987, but the history of the railroad routes goes back to logging activities of the 1870s, and a railroad boom during the early 1900s. For historic shippers and passengers, the railroad was a transportation option to get to cities like Charlotte, or resort communities like Pinehurst. Over the more than 100 years since the line’s initial construction, the railroad has served as a conduit for the movement of timber, lumber, agricultural products, machinery, and the ordinary products needed by the communities along its route. Although the early shippers are gone, new ones have sprung up. Tourists looking to ride classic passenger trains have also discovered the railroad.This book is written for those who want to know more about the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway. Information on the line’s history and current status, as well as a mile-by-mile route guide, are included. Enjoy this review of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway, a successful part of North Carolina’s rail network.