A History of Railroading in Western North Carolina

In this work, the most comprehensive of its kind, the author examines in engaging narrative and wonderful photography the development of the area's complete railroading industry -- Class 1 railroads, short lines, industrial and mining roads, and logging lines. Added to the textual histories are over three hundred photographs and illustrations, including timetables and maps for most of the lines discussed.

Included are the Appalachian; Asheville & Craggy Mount; Asheville & Northern; Asheville & Southern; Bee Tree Lumber Company; Black Mountain and the Yancey; Buffalo & Snowbird; Carolina & North-Western; Champion Fibre Company; Cliffside; Clinchfield; East Tennessee & Western North Carolina; Graham County; Kitchen Lumber Company; Laurel River & Hot Springs; Lawndale; Linville River; Madison County; Marietta & North Georgia; Mount Mitchell; Norwood Lumber Company; Southern; Tallulah Falls; three Tennessee & North Carolinas; Transylvania; and Tuckasegee & Southern railroads.

Cary Franklin Poole is the former associate dean of students at Mars Hill College, where he taught more than a dozen sessions of "Whistletops in Western North Carolina" for the school's Elderhostel program. He lives in San Angelo, Texas.