Originally called the East and West Railroad of Alabama, the Atlanta and Birmingham Air Line Railway was formed when the Seaboard Air Line Railroad purchased the E&W in 1902 and renamed it in 1903. With two additions to the original E&W, the A&BAL did reach both Birmingham, AL and Howells, GA (which is Northwest of Atlanta, GA) by 1904. SAL fully absorbed the A&BAL in 1909.