All; Modeling the ACL in Wilmington in the period 1948-54 (roughly), I'm looking for information on locomotive servicing (diesel and steam). I know the roundhouse, transfer table and ash pit were in the upper 'passenger' yard, but were the diesels serviced (fueled, sanded, watered, minor repairs) there also. Also, were the steam locomotives watered and coaled in the upper yard or did they go to Smith Creek yard to be replenished? Thanks for any and all answers or possible sources of this information. mvh

-- Mark V. Huband (m.huband@att.net), April 09, 2002

Answers

i to are really interested in the area in the downtown area from hilton the new cape fear river bridge, to smith creek yard on the ac line to the acb line going to new bern. i noticed a picture in the railroad museum in wilmington showing downtown does anybody have info on what the area looked like in acl days when wilmimgton was hq or in the heydays of wilmington railroading. thanks i am looking forward to the info keith

-- KEITH (tkc1959@aol.com), May 30, 2002.

The coaling tower at Smith Creek Yard was constructed by Ross & White Co. of Chicago sometime around 1943-44. Believe it had a capacity of 500-tons. The tower also used a coal storage yard whereby coal was stored on the ground. The coal was dispersed and recovered using a dragline bucket and sheave posts. Suspect a coaling trestle was used prior to 1943-44.

-- Buddy Hill (palmettoLTD@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

Steamers went to Smith Crk Yd to get serviced.

-- V.L.Lewis (TrkInsp5F33@aol.com), April 09, 2002.

Mark: I can't contribute because I have tried forever to get info and pictures of the Wilmington scene, particularly Smith's Creek Yard. I have yet to get anything. If you know of or have any track diagrams of the yard and certainly any photos, I would be most appreciative to you for sharing them(scans would be fine). I will do likewise.

Raymond Smith

-- Raymond Smith (aclrr7@hotmail.com), April 09, 2002.