Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority
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| Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority | |
|---|---|
| Reporting marks | HMCR |
| Locale | Huntsville, Alabama to Norton, Alabama |
| Dates of operation | 1984–present |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Headquarters | Huntsville, Alabama |
The Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority was created in 1984 to operate on 14 miles of track that was abandoned by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
The line was originally constructed by the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway and this portion of the railway ran from Huntsville to Attalla, Alabama (near Gadsden). A ferry ran the train down the Tennessee River between Incline (near Hobbs) and Gunters Landing (near Guntersville). The NC&StL later became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The HMCR now operates the line north of Hobbs, and the Alabama and Tennessee River Railway operates the line south of Guntersville. The ferry service has been abandoned.
The Alabama Industrial Railroad operated the HMCR from 1984 until February, 1985. The HMCR is now operated by the Authority.
The HMCR interchanges with the Norfolk Southern at Huntsville, Alabama.
[edit] Sources
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide 5th ed., (Kalmbach Books, 1996).
- Mike Walker, SPV's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Southern States (Steam Powered Publishing & SPV, 2001) Ownership and detail of rail line.
- North America Railroad Map Software v 2.13, (Railway Station Productions, 2004) [1]
