What towns are around the Saulda Grade and what is the best way to go there from Char, NC Do you know of anyone that has modeled the Saluda Grade on an HO scale layout.

-- Robert H. Rowe (rhrowe@innova.net), June 10, 1999

Answers

The October 1992 issue of "Railroad Model Craftsman" contained a good article about Saluda including photos, maps, a copy of Norfolk Southern's "special rules" for trains over Saluda, grade profile, and an explination of an HO trackplan. "Trains" also ran an article in November 1984 including maps, personal stories from crewmen that handled trains over Saluda, lots of excellent steam era photographs, and photos of wreckage and the eqipment used to clean it up. Hope you can find either or both of these articles, they're practically required reading for any railfan interested in Saluda.

-- Joe Daniels (4JM@home.com), June 19, 1999.

Dear Robert: As I used to live in Charlotte but now live near Saluda grade, the best way and quickest way to Saluda is to head west on I-85 and exit at the Shelby exit to highway 74 west. Take highway 74 west through Shelby until you come to I-26. You get on I-26 right at the foot of the mountains and Saluda is exit 28. Saluda is about one mile west of the interstate and the tracks go right through town. (I hope a 100 car coal train pulls in to Saluda while you are there.) If following a train down the mountain go south on highway 176 (Spartanburg highway) for about three miles and you will see a sign for a road to your right saying 'Pearson Falls Rd.' Take that road for about a half mile until you come under a rail trestle and turn to the left and you have arrived at MELROSE, NC (the bottom of the grade). If you know when you will be in Saluda I would be glad to meet you and to help you railfan the area. (E-mail me).

Also, in the town of Hendersonville, NC, there is an HO model club in the restored depot adjancent to the main line to Saluda, (with a restored Southern caboose,) that has a layout of the area. Although Saluda grade is depicted, it is not accurate (the grade comes in from the wrong side of town). They are currently open to the public on Saturday mornings from 9-NOON and on Wednesdays from NOON-3 pm.

-- Clifford Meek (saludasam@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999.

THE BEST WAY TO GET THERE FROM CHARLOTTE,NC IS TO GO SOUTH ON I-85 AND EXIT AT SHELBY,NC ON HIGHWAY 74 OR LEAVE CHARLOTTE, NC ON HIGHWAY 74 AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO ASHEVILLE,NC. MY DAD WORKED FOR SOUTHERN IN THE 1940'S THROUGH 1960. HE HAS TOLD ME MANY TIMES HOW DIFFICULT THAT SECTION WAS. SADLY HE PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR I WISHED I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS WEB SITE BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY. THANKS BEN DAVIS

-- BEN G. DAVIS (HARLEYRDRNC@AOL.COM), December 18, 2000.

American Altavista published an 8x10 booklet some years back with detailed track diagrams and a city by city walkthru of the area, including info on all the 'backroads' that allow you to access the grade.

I don't know if the book is still available. I'd be happy to photo copy my issue and mail it to you if you can provide an address.

-- Tom Warne (twar@chevron.com), September 05, 2001.