Click the image above to view the Atlantic Coast Line route map, December 1948. Credit: OAR Collection

The present-day CSX Transportation route into Montgomery viaThomasville,Ga., and Dothan,Ala., began as the Alabama Midland Railway (AM). The AM was organized in 1887 as a connection for the Savannah,Florida & Western at Bainbridge,Ga., a town on the Flint Riverin the southwest corner of Georgia. The AM was completed into Montgomery in 1890, using the former narrow gauge Montgomery & Florida Ry. for the last 20 miles. The AM then became part of the Plant System, which included the SF&W and other railroads extending into Florida. In 1902 the Plant System was absorbed by the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL).

Under the ACL, the Montgomery line served as an important freight and passenger link to the West and Midwest. ACL established a yard and shop complex at Montgomery, where car and locomotive repairs were made. Passenger trains used the Montgomery Union Station. A distinctive feature of ACL’s industrial trackage at Montgomery was a line through the city’s downtown, whose sharp curves required the use of several small 0-4-0T steam switchers. They were built as "dummies," with an enclosed body to make them resemble trolley cars and supposedly less frightening to horses. One, No. 1434, was rebuilt as a conventional steam switcher and served the city for many years.

The Thomasville-Montgomery segment always had a reputation as a piece of roller-coaster railroad, following closely the frequent (though relatively moderate) grades of the lower end of the Appalachian foothills. It was never deemed important to receive signaling, operating as a "dark" railroad by train orders and timetable authority, or in modern times by radio-dispatched block authority. Yet through most of its life the line has been maintained to secondary-main standards and has seen a respectable amount of traffic.

Atlantic Coast Line predecessor Alabama Midland Railway’s 'Armstrong' (hand-operated) turntable at Montgomery c. 1900. Prior to purchase by Alabama Midland, these facilities were built and owned by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Note the fire protection system on the engine stall roofs. Credit: Alabama Department of Archives and History.