One of the great things about the internet, pictures and stories are at our fingertips. We just have to be careful to check the sources. Living in Ellijay, GA, in the late 60s into the early 80s was a treat. L&N’s Hook & Eye line served our small town bringing fuel oil, propane, coal, sand, surplus cheese, and other oddities on the team track. They took finished lumber, wood chips, and pulpwood. Needless to say, the 80s saw a huge decline in rail traffic as trucks became the norm and big guys (Seaboard System/Family Lines/CSX didn’t want to deal with branch lines. I got see miles of old hoppers shoved into the hills for storage thinking the end was near. Then steps in the Georgia Northeastern RR, and the rest is history. Still not much goes on between Ellijay and Blueridge, but, the Blue Ridge Scenic RR prospers and freight service is robust on the southern end between Tate and Marietta. Send me your hometown stories for publishing!
Bill Thomas, editor
