Chattahoochee Valley Railway
Encyclopedia
The Chattahoochee Valley Railway was a shortline railroad linking a number of textile mills between West Point, Georgia
and McGinty, Alabama for a total distance of 9.5 miles (15.3 km). As a subsidiary of West Point Pepperell, the entire railroad was abandoned in 1992.
, and was extended to Riverview by 1897. In 1900, the railroad was reorganized to became the Chattahoochee Valley Railway. Further expansion included new tracks south to Jester in 1899 and north to Standing Rock, Alabama by 1908. By extending tracks further to Bleecker in 1916 the railroad totaled 45 miles (72.4 km) and connected to the Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad
, the West Point Route
, and the Central of Georgia
.
In 1932 part of the railroad was abandoned from Standing Rock to West Point and passenger service ended that same year. In the 1960s, a dam was constructed north of West Point, and the CHV built a short spur line to reach the construction site for delivery of materials. When construction of the dam was completed in 1973 the spur was abandoned. Around the same time, the railroad abandoned the line from Riverview to Bleecker.
The railroad shut down completely on September 23, 1992, with tracks removed the following year. By the time of the abandonment the railroad numbered less than 10 miles (16.1 km).
West Point, Georgia
West Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
and McGinty, Alabama for a total distance of 9.5 miles (15.3 km). As a subsidiary of West Point Pepperell, the entire railroad was abandoned in 1992.
History
Originally the line was constructed by the Chattahoochee Valley Railroad on July 2, 1895 from Langdale to LanettLanett, Alabama
Lanett is a city in Chambers County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 7,897. Lanett, originally called Bluffton, is located in eastern Alabama, on the Chattahoochee River, southwest of Atlanta, Georgia...
, and was extended to Riverview by 1897. In 1900, the railroad was reorganized to became the Chattahoochee Valley Railway. Further expansion included new tracks south to Jester in 1899 and north to Standing Rock, Alabama by 1908. By extending tracks further to Bleecker in 1916 the railroad totaled 45 miles (72.4 km) and connected to the Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad
Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad
The Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad was organized in 1926 to replace the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic Railway. The AB&C was controlled by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which owned a majority of the stock. In 1946, the AB&C was bought by the ACL and the became the latter company's...
, the West Point Route
West Point Route
The West Point Route was actually a nickname used in the early twentieth century for the joint operations of the Atlanta and West Point Rail Road and the Western Railway of Alabama. The name refers to the city of West Point, Georgia, where the two railroads met....
, and the Central of Georgia
Central of Georgia Railroad
The Central of Georgia Railway started as the Central Rail Road and Canal Company in 1833. As a way to better attract investment capital, the railroad changed its name to Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia. This railroad was constructed to join the Macon and Western Railroad at...
.
In 1932 part of the railroad was abandoned from Standing Rock to West Point and passenger service ended that same year. In the 1960s, a dam was constructed north of West Point, and the CHV built a short spur line to reach the construction site for delivery of materials. When construction of the dam was completed in 1973 the spur was abandoned. Around the same time, the railroad abandoned the line from Riverview to Bleecker.
The railroad shut down completely on September 23, 1992, with tracks removed the following year. By the time of the abandonment the railroad numbered less than 10 miles (16.1 km).