Hi-

How was the ACL formed? Was it the result of a merger or was it just formed from a company? Also, which railroad was bigger, the ACL or SAL?

Thanks for your time,

James

-- James Baker (SNBfan17@hotmail.com), October 25, 2001

Answers

James, if you are interested in really digging into ACL's origins, you might to want to read "Building a Great Railroad: A History of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company," by Dr. Glenn Hoffman. The book is available from the ACL/SAL Society for $25.

-- Jim Roquemore (roque@camden.net), October 31, 2001.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company was formed in 1900 through the consolidation of a number of railroads - already under common ownership - that had previously marketed themselves as the "Atlantic Coast Line". It was controlled by the Walters family of Baltimore, as were the predecessor companies. Some surprising people were members of the boards of directors of the various predecessor companies, notably Henry B. Plant, president of the Plant System.

To answer the second part of your question, the Atlantic Coast Line was the larger system at the merger than the Seaboard Air Line -- 5,727 miles vs. 4,122 for the SAL, both figures from their respective annual reports for 1966.

Hope this helps.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), October 27, 2001.