Undoubtedly, the hobby of rail preservation and/or model railroading gets much of its impetus from memories we have from childhood.  As a child, teenager, and young adult, I was fortunate to train-watch with my grandfather (Papaw), Burt Dean Rodgers, of Chattanooga, TN.

Mamaw and Papaw lived between Red Bank and North Chattanooga, in the White Oak community, just off Dayton Blvd/Hwy 27.  Papaw had been raised in Dayton and Soddy, TN, and was a Southern fan.  I remember his stories about watching trains break in two to tackle the hill at Soddy/Daisy.

My mother had lived through some of his “Sunday drives” which always ended up trackside.  Somewhere between the ages of 8 and 14, I remember him telling me some interesting history of the line which passed in front of their house in White Oak.  “This used to be a electric line with trolleys.” he said, describing the overhead wire and poles used.

Not sure about the trolleys – but, having done some research on the line, it is true that the Chattanooga Traction Company was electrified up until 1941, when the new owner, Southern Rwy, dieselized the branch.  The locomotive  photo appeared in a past issue of Trains and  caught Dennis Carnal’s eye, knowing I had a history in Chattanooga, my native city.

Much of the same line survives today under ownership of Norfolk Southern.  It’s a very cool thing to me and I realize it’s just another little branch to most.  But, I’ll always think of Papaw every time I see the picture.  Papaw, thanks for the memories!

Here’s a photo of the Rodgers in 1979, on their 50th wedding anniversary, 9 years before they passed away.