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Southern Railway Steam Roster: Post 1900

Published; October 4, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The Southern's network was an interesting mix of stiff grades through the Appalachians and Carolina piedmont to a relatively flat profile along the coastal plains of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Whil the railroad's freight traffic was always quite diverse via its important Washington - New Orleans/Memphis and Cincinnati/New Orleans gateways, it also handled heavy coal traffic out of extreme western Virginia/eastern Tennessee.

As a result, its steam fleet was an eclectic mix of large examples like 2-10-2s and 2-8-8-2s to 2-8-2s and 2-8-0s, which handled most general freight.

The Southern became well known for the elegance and grace of its steam locomotives.  Many, especially those leading passenger trains, were adorned in brass accents, stars on their cylinders, whitewall wheels, and everything polished to a high gloss.

In later years the railroad also painted several in a handsome Virginia Green livery with gold trim, as seen in the photo below by Shelby Lowe.

Because the Southern controlled or operated so many different railroads the company broke down its steam roster into a numbering series as follows:

• 1-5249: Southern Railway

• 6000-6499: Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway

• 6500-6696: Alabama Great Southern Rialroad

• 6800-6979: New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad

• 7000-7084: New Orleans Terminal Company

• 8000-8034: Russian Decapods 

• 8200-8375: Georgia Southern & Florida Railway

• 8550-8556: St. John's River Terminal (Jacksonville, FL)

The Southern Railway, born from a merger in 1894, rapidly evolved into a quintessential backbone of the southeastern United States' rail network.

Its inception followed a series of strategic consolidations, most notably the Richmond and Danville Railroad and the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railway, at a time when the South needed a robust transportation infrastructure to rise from the economic ravages of the Civil War.

Under the leadership of Samuel Spencer, the Southern Railway embarked on an aggressive expansion and modernization agenda. By the early 20th century, it had established a network that spanned the industrial heartlands of the Carolinas, Georgia, Mississippi, and beyond. This network fostered economic growth and regional interconnectivity, transporting agricultural produce, textiles, and minerals pivotal to the South's burgeoning economy.

One of Southern's signature achievements lay in its commitment to technological innovation. It was among the first railroads to deploy diesel locomotives, setting the pace for industry-wide transitions. The Southern also prioritized passenger service excellence, with its "Southern Crescent" trains epitomizing luxury and reliability, embodying a travel ethos that attracted countless passengers to the rails.

Throughout the mid-20th century, the Southern ingeniously navigated the landscape of diminishing passenger numbers and increasing competition from automobiles and airlines. Strategic diversification into trucking and containerized freight insured its economic sustainability and competitive edge.

In 1982, a landmark merger with the Norfolk and Western Railway birthed the Norfolk Southern Corporation, a formidable entity securing the commercial railscape of eastern America. This merger preserved the Southern Railway's legacy of adaptation, efficiency, and service excellence, principles that allowed for seamlessly transitioning into modern rail operations.

The Southern Railway's narrative is one of resilience and innovation, its evolution emblematic of broader economic transformations. Its legacy remains integral to understanding the intricate tapestry of American railroading history, particularly how regional railroads functioned as catalysts for economic growth in the post-Reconstruction South.

A beautiful Southern 4-8-2, #1452 (Class Ts), rides the turntable (note the company herald attached to the railing) at Asheville, North Carolina on February 8, 1950 shortly before its retirement. Shelby Lowe photo.

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