Hello. I'm looking for information (and a historical photograph) about the branch to the military base at Fort Oglethorpe. Although the Fort, once a major Army post (just south of Chattanooga, Tenn.) closed after WWII, portions of the spur evidently survived until the 1970s. Does anyone know when it opened, was formally abandoned, etc.?

-- joe schwieterman (jschwiet@aol.com), April 10, 2000

Answers

WWI troops trained at Fort Oglethorpe as well as WWII. I lived on the circle there in the early 50's. I can remember as a child watching the polo teams playing on the field. Believe they left soon after that. There is a 6th Calvery Museum there now. They have more photo's than anyone of know of.

-- Ric Cooper (cooperric@outdrs.net), December 05, 2001.

The book has been published and is now in print. I got my copy yesterday. It is called "When The Railroad Leaves Town." The author is Dr. Joseph Schwieterman and it was published by Truman State University Press (1-800-916-6806; tsup.truman.edu). The book sells for $24.95 paperbound and $39.95 in hardback. The volume covers the easter US. A western US volume is slated to appear in 2003. The chapter on Fort Oglethorpe is well done with a couple of interesting photos and the CofG logo. There is also a chapter on Thalman, GA, Valley, Alabama, and Franklin, North Carolina (Tallulah Falls RR) along with several other locations in the south. Those with Southern RR misgivings will happily note that the SR does not come off well in the Tallulah Falls story.

-- Arnold W. Eaves (aseaves@mindspring.com), October 28, 2001.

Dear Joe, I live right on the western end of the old branch line so can supply terraine photos of the area and sketches of the base facilities it served, at least on the north side of the post. I didn't see the full base network as it was pulled up early in my childhood. The lifted ties and rails went to the Tenn Valley RR Museum shortly before construction of hwy 2A began down part of the old right-of-way. I also have USGS/TVA topographic map with the line shown. The trestle near where the branch split off is still standing and in use if you need photos of that junction area. Hope you are still keeping tabs on youe question as posted. Let me know if I can help as I am right on top of what is left. Mike Justice.

-- mike justice (nsidetrk@bellsouth.net), October 27, 2001.

Even more of the road bed remnents were blotted out with the construction of the US 27 highway bypass around (part of) Fort Oglethorpe. I know rail was in place during most of if not all of the 60's even though at some point the grade crossins were mostly paved over. Also the cross bucks stayed up for a long time at the crossings. The rail must have come up during the seventies but can not find anyone in the area who remembers (or cares, for that matter!) I know this doesn't help, but it is a lesson about the importnce of making inquiries or photos while the issue is at hand. Finding any of the ROW now will will be a hit or miss proposition. Unlike the reasonably well preserved sectionsof the Durham branch. Some time this summer if some would like to take an old topo map and make a stab at it please let me know. Arnold Eaves

-- Arnold Eaves (aseaves@mindspring.com), April 12, 2000.

No photos but I do have a copy of a track profile for this line that was given to me by Mr. David Payne that I would be glad to copy for you. I am told that a lot of it was wiped out when the built that new highway from Ft. Oglethorpe to Hwy. 193.

Warren

-- Warren D. Stephens (wdstephens@prodigy.net), April 11, 2000.