I have recently become interested in the Tallula Falls short line railroad. It ran from a Southern RR interchange at Cornela, GA to Franklin, NC via the rabun gap. I was wondering if there is any books on that line available. Any help is appreciated. THANKS

-- Evan Whatley (fwhatley@bignet.net), May 26, 2001

Answers

Evan: An excellent 64 page soft cover book by Brian Boyd was published in 1998. Contact Fern Creek Press, at P O Box 1322, Clayton, GA. 30525. A book chock full of photos and historical info for about $12. If this old line had survived, wouldn't it have made for a fantastic 'tourist' route? What scenic country!

-- Greg Hodges (ghodges@smpsfa.com), May 26, 2001.

Thank you. I have seen that book before (i think) at the Tallula Gorge Overlook. However Im also looking for something with a bit more of the history and opperations of the line. I am very fimilar with the county and I have a summer job in Clayton. Its a 1 mile hike from War Woman Dell, part of the never completed railroad grade. VERY scenic country.

-- Evan Whatley (fwhatley@bignet.net), May 26, 2001.

Amazon.com shows a book titled: Memories of a Mt. shortline, the story of the Tallulah Falls RR. By K. Carver & M. Queen....1976. $29.00.

-- Greg Hodges (ghodges@smpsfa.com), May 26, 2001.

Evan,

I too am interested in details of the TFRR. I've been searching for maps and details such as you mentioned. I did manage to find some US Geological Survey maps of the route, I can share info with you if you want. You can reply here or contact me via email.

Travis

-- Travis Hyatt (tghyatt@earthlink.net), July 24, 2001.

I have a copy of the "Memories of a Mountain Shortline" book mentioned in another response. I think you will find this book well worth your money in providing photos and history of this road.

-- Tom Warne (twar@chevron.com), September 12, 2001.

i was just in the area this last weekend and in the early 90's they built a new allignment for US 441/23 and parts of it went over the ROW of the TFRR. In some cases you can still see the ROW, its pretty fascinating, and yes, i would have loved to see the trestle over the gorge survive

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), January 05, 2003.

I went through there yesterday (01-21-03) on my way to Franklin, N.C. for a funeral, and near Rabun Gap right on 441, there is the "Tallulah Falls railroad museum" with an old parlor-type passenger car next to an old depot, along with several hundred feet of railroad track on the old right-of-way. Also, when you get to Tallulah Falls, there is an old caboose and a remodeled depot, as well as an old steam engine and another caboose as you enter Franklin. ..Would love to see some old photos. Last year's (2002) NHRA calendar, on december, shows a 2-8-0 steam train in Mountian city, Ga. on the Tallulah Falls RR.

-- Elton (repoman801@hotmail.com), January 22, 2003.

....In addition, in an article I saw, an unknown (to me) person wrote: I first became interested in the T.F.Rwy as a young man on family vacation trips through the area. The abandoned right of way of the railroad was still visible in many places, and even without the rails one could get a clear sense of this railroad's scenic beauty. One could feel nostalgic over its demise even having never seen it in operation. A testament to its beauty is that a couple of major movies were filmed on the railroad. "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" with Susan Hayward featured the T.F.Rwy in opening scenes, and Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase" was almost entirely filmed on the line. (There was a rumor that Walt Disney himself was so taken with the beauty of the line he made inquiries into purchasing it for development as a scenic tourist railroad. No doubt the large debt load carried by the railroad was a discouraging factor, but ah, what might have been!)

This book is the best single compilation of photos of the old T. F. I have seen. The text is informative, but it's the pictures (all in glorious black and white of course) that make this book a great find. And at the price it's offered, I consider it a steal! Anyone interested in Appalachian style mountain railroads, spectacular scenery (some forty-plus breathtaking rickety wooden trestles in fifty-eight miles!), rural life, or rural Americana in general should grab this book! And modelers take note: there are plenty of good photos and information on the T.F.'s rolling stock, trackside structures and much more.

-- Elton (repoman801@hotmail.com), January 22, 2003.