The Junebug Line
Copyright 1992 by Matthew Bumgarner.
"Gentlemen, there's a mine in Hiddenite with a mineral so valuable that a well-wintered june bug could fly away with enough tied to his hind leg to pay for the whole railroad." Romulus Linney uttered those words in 1887, and the Alexander RR continues to prosper to this day.
108 pages, over 80 photos and maps.
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THE FLOODS OF JULY 1916
This reprint of a historic Southern Railway publication details the tragedy of July, 1916 across the American southeast and the epic heroism of the railroad's response. "The Southern Railway is a big railroad, run by big men, and in a big way...and we wouldn't swap it for anything in this neck of the woods…" noted a local paper.
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THE LEGACY OF THE CAROLINA & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY
Copyright 1997 by Matthew Bumgarner
The Carolina & North-Western Railway was the largest narrow gauge in either of the Carolinas and its history is complete with antebellum broad gauge predecessors, the specter of the Civil War, robber barons, prosperity, death and rebirth. This is the definitive work on a unique shortline railroad, containing over 200 pages, 120 never-before published photos, numerous detailed maps and tales from the railroaders themselves.
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Did you know?
The Carolina & North-Western Railway's official reporting marks were CR&N, but it was always called the "C and N W" by the locals and the men who worked her. It had a nickname, the "Can't and Never Will" that often made people snicker, but this was offensive to her men. Where did the nickname come from? Find out in the Legacy of the Carolina & North-Western Railway, and definitely click this link to learn more!
THE LAWNDALE RAILWAY & INDUSTRIAL COMPANY
Copyright 1999 by Bumgarner, Burn, Forney, & Walker
The Lawndale was one of North Carolina's shortest but most storied narrow gauge railroads. Weighing in at less than 10 miles in length, the "Dummy Line" was the product of textile tycoon Major Henry Franklin Schenck.
The critically acclaimed book has 102 pages, as well as over 60 photos (many from the Schenck family scrapbook) and numerous maps.
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THE CAPE FEAR & YADKIN VALLEY RAILWAY
Copyright 2000 by Matthew Bumgarner
The CF&YV was a trans-North Carolina line that stretched from the eastern coast to the western mountains. This book is largely a reprint of the original literature published by the line in 1889 with updated information and photos. Spectacular 4 color cover, lithographs and 120 pages of history.
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WATAUGA & YADKIN RIVER RAILROAD
Copyright 2002 by Matthew Bumgarner & Doug Walker
The Watauga & Yadkin River Railroad was the short-lived dream of a Pennsylvania lumber baron. From 1911 to 1918, William J. Grandin planned to harvest the 60,000 acres of virgin timber that would one day supply the premiere names of the American furniture industry- Drexel, Bernhardt, Broyhill, American Drew. This tract was located in a triangle between North Wilkesboro, Boone, and Lenoir, North Carolina, and Grandin built a self-titled state-of-the-art mill and village to fuel his dream. By 1912, he had constructed his 20 mile railroad and village, with dreams to expand his railroad over the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, Mother Nature had other plans, and provided stiff resistance to the enterprise. This is the story of that struggle and those who survived. 102 pages.
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