JACKSON, Tenn. – When Casey Jones’ locomotive crashed near Vaughn, Miss., he vaulted into history and American folklore.
The subject of songs and books, Jones, who died on April 30, 1900, has become a larger than life figure in American history in the 11 decades since his death.
But, finding the real Casey Jones is as simple [...]

Photo by Todd DeFeo

KENNESAW, Ga. – For anyone looking to take advantage of the spring weather, today marks the 147th anniversary of the Andrews Raid.
It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train – pulled by the locomotive General – arrived in town. The train [...]

KINGSTON, Ga. – Railroad travel was very different during the Civil War, and stops were frequent. In some cases, a town’s sole livelihood was the railroad.
So, when railroads gave way to the highway in the mid-20th century, these towns – vital railroad communities that were hubs during the Civil War – no longer served the [...]

KENNESAW, Ga. – The General steam locomotive pulled the morning passenger train, winding its way through the rural Georgia countryside. Shortly before 6 a.m. on a rainy morning, Engineer Jeff Cain blew the locomotive’s whistle to signal that Big Shanty was approaching.
“Big Shanty, 20 minutes for breakfast,” Conductor William A. Fuller said. The train pulled [...]

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Kennesaw House is an impressive building, even by today’s standards. But its role in one of the most fascinating events of the Civil War is what makes it truly unique.
Built in 1845 as a cotton warehouse, it is one of the oldest buildings in Marietta, and it has witnessed a lot [...]

MARIETTA, Ga. – Trains still roar past the Kennesaw House located between the city square and the railroad tracks a block away. Turn back the clock 145 years to April 12, 1862, and the Kennesaw House was the stepping off point for one of the more intriguing episodes of the Civil War.
It was the one-year [...]

ATHENS, Ga. – The so-called Classic City is known for a lot, usually revolving around the University of Georgia. But, a major rail line passes through Athens, and there are a handful of historic depots worth checking out – all located within a 30 mile or so drive in any given direction.
When you’re “heading down [...]

Again, need I say more? Though, I will point out, I think this train is running about four hours late.

Railfanning in paradise.

By Todd DeFeo   |     |   Story updated at 10:06 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2007
MARIETTA – Turn back the clock 145 years.
It’s April 12, 1862, the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train is pulling into town. Pulled by the locomotive General, the train [...]