Birmingham RailsYesterday and Today
I have gathered information and learned a lot about Birmingham since moving here in 1992. I enjoy telling the story, as I have learned and interpreted it. In sharing this information on this web page, I will approach this as though you are visiting my personal library and files, which are meager. Thus, I will share freely information that I have obtained in pursuing my personal interest. I will treat this like a research paper, and intend to give credit to the source of information, both written and graphic. Photos and other graphics are borrowed freely from other sources, and I will attempt to footnote these. The intention is not to "steal" other's information, but to share what I have in the interest of learning about a subject that I enjoy. If you were here, we would look at materials prepared by others. With the internet, there is a new opportunity to share published information on the Web. It is not my intention to abuse this privilege, only to share this for the enjoyment of others. Send email to the author: John Stewart
The Steel City Division of the Southeastern Region of the National Model Railroad Association will host the 2010 annual convention in Birmingham May 21-23, 2010. Home layout tours will be available. The convention host location is the Hampton Inn Bessemer, conveniently located near the Bessemer Civic Center and exit #108, Academy Drive on I-20/59. For more information see http://www.ser-nmra.org/convention.htm
Good news -- the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS) [ http://www.rlhs.org/ ] granted Birmingham a charter as the new Mid-South Chapter. This chapter will be the society's first presence in the central South and will compliment the existing Southeast Chapter in Jacksonville, Florida, according to Marv Clemons. Based in Birmingham the Mid-South Chapter will draw members primarily from Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as western Georgia and Northwest Florida.
Jim is a patron of local history, and quite willing to get out in the field to see historical sites first hand. He encourages and promotes local history and local projects such as the Red Mountain Park and the local chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology. Historic Birmingham & Jefferson County (ISBN 9781 8936 1983 8) is an excellent new source of information on our local history, and contains not only well written text but many illustrations and photographs. You are encouraged to contact the Society offices and obtain this book -- you will enjoy it! And follow progress of the Birmingham Jefferson History Museum, http://www.bjhm.org/
The Society for Industrial Archaeology is active in the Birmingham area. The Southern Chapter, which has been somewhat inactive had a meeting in November, 2009 at the historic Redding Mine Hoist House which is now part of Red Mountain Park. Get involved in this local activity and join the national organization.
Next outing is planned for March 6, 2010, at Ruffner Mountain -- email to get the details
Announcing a new Birmingham Rails -- not this website, but a new book by Marv Clemons and Lyle Key. These gentlemen have addressed an important part of the Birmingham districts rail history, and who better to tell it than two natives who have both worked in the railroad industry?
Visit the "other" Birmingham Rails site at www.birminghamrails.com
This will be a great book to add to the growing body of work about the railroads and industry of the Magic City -- Birmingham, Alabama.
Mystery solved! The "intriguing RR device" has been definitely identified by Joe Christian. See what these children found on a family exploration trip in the summer of 1969 along Birmingham rails. Click Here
Thanks to Joe for sharing his family photos, as well as his local history knowledge on the area around the Mary Lee and the Cane Creek Branch.
It is hoped that Joe is going to share some more history about his work as a tower man at Birmingham's Terminal Station.
Stay tuned!
The Spring 2006 issue of Classic Trains Magazine has a wonderful view of Birmingham industrial railroad activity, Final Fires of Birmingham by Birmingham rail historian Thomas Lawson, Jr.
The November, 2003 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine contained a great article on a Birmingham theme model Railroad, Birmingham, 1950. Additional pictures of Ken's Layout.
Newfound Creek Trestle on the Cane Creek Branch burned 5/23/06. This is a great loss in Jefferson County -- one of the highest RR trestles in the southeast at about 115 feet tall and about 650 feet long. Originally built between 1901 and 1903, the trestle was rebuilt at least once to reach its most recent configuration. The fire photo is by Paul Kennedy, courtesy of Marshall Farmer. Reports indicate that fireworks may have caused the fire. The photo of the aftermath is by Eric McFerrin.
Take a look at Red Mountain Park -- site of former mines. For current information on the Park's progress, see visit the Friends of Red Mountain Park website.
Support the Bessemer Hall of History membership drive. Download a Membership Form and send in by mail. It is a great value and a worthy historical resource.
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