The Durham & Southern Railway: First-Class All the Way (Lost Railroads E1)
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- It's finally here, after more than a year of research, writing, and editing! This is the story of the Durham & Southern Railway, one of North Carolina's many long-gone shortline railroads. The D&S is different however, as while it was around, it was known as one of the best run and best-kept shortlines, where according to Ernest H. Robl of "Railroad Modeler" magazine, it was so good that "if not for the railroad's track mileage, you would think it was a mainline". Thanks for watching y'all
Sources/Credits:
Service with Courtesy: The story of the Durham & Southern Railway by Cary F. Poole (Book)
www.durhamsout...
Rob Rosseau
Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Air Line Railroads Historical Society
Angier Museum
Durham County Library
Diesel Era Magazine
Railfan & Railroad Magazine
Railroad Modeler Magazine
Images of America - Holly Springs by Barbara Koblich & Arcadia Publishing
Images of America - Apex by Sherry Monahan & Arcadia Publishing
Railroads of North Carolina by Alan Coleman & Arcadia Publoshing
Railfanning in the '70s DVD by T.W. Productions
Warren Calloway
Timothy Carroll
Barbara Koblich
Town of Holly Springs
Durham & Southern Railway Facebook
Don's Rail Photos
New Hope Valley Railway
North Carolina Transportation Museum
Thank you all for the support! It is currently unknown as to if I am going to finish the “part 2” or not, as I kind of have done a video similar to it and I also haven’t gotten the *whole* line explored yet, not to mention I don’t have a lot of time to get up to Durham to film all that right now. But once again, thank you all so much for the support on my biggest ever project, and only time will tell the future of this series.
This is actually such a fever dream to finally see completed, from all the script rewrites, new information, and time all throughout made it one long video to make. But I’ll say it was definitely worth the wait. I myself can’t wait for part 2, and any other railroads you decide to make for the series. Overall, stellar video and I really enjoyed it.
@@trashtruck Thanks man, it really has been a process. Can’t wait to see what this series becomes
The railroad runs on current year HWY 55 and HWY 540. What drives me insane is that electrified rail was in N.C. at one point.
@atlanticrblx7784 The P&N as well as the A&W were ahead of their time!
This is great, can't wait for part 2.
I work a block from the Cornwallis road crossing and hear them every day. Sometimes if I'm driving on 55 I'll see the local running as well. They run north in the morning and south in the afternoon.
Some other lines of interest might be the one that crossed falls lake, can't remember the name but the road bed is there south east of 85 and is a trail. It diverged from a point near the ballfield near junction road in Durham.
The Durham division of Norfolk Western is operating like the Durham and southern. Only half the line is used. I want to do deep dives in that entire line soon as I get a drone.
As a railfan and Durham native, I enjoyed your presentation. One comment - you mentioned a place you called Blankhard although the spelling was Blanchard. One of my dad's siblings married a Blanchard (pronounced Blanch-ard). The Blanchards were from Holly Springs as I recall. BTW, I missed seeing D&S's iconic caboose which had a small windmill on top.
Just gonna drop a like and comment to boost the algorithm because this is worthy of being pushed to more people. I've done about this amount of research on the Cape fear and Yadkin Valley/Atlantic and Yadkin since i live right by the former line. Definitely worth looking into for another video
@@brenthinshaw8391 Definitely will have to check it out!
YES!!
I lived by the CF&YV too. Hoping for a video to capture its history.
My dad and I used to be in the New Hope valley RR club that is on a 4 mile section of the old D&S line. If you contact that club, there’s some folks that really know the history of the D&S. Great video.
Hey Ibby LOL
The NHV RR is on part of the old Norfolk Southern. That trackage was never associated with the Durham & Southern, which ran through Apex, N.C., several miles to the east.
Great article keep up the video
So full of incredible details! Great video!
im surprised how good this video actually is. pretty underrated channel tbh
This is fantastic, buddy! Outstanding work.
I watched the whole thing very good. I used to live in Apex and am a crazed railfan.
This is very interesting. I was born at the Apex area and moved to Durham. I’ve been intrigued by this shortline. Big props to CSX taking over for their customers around the Apex and Durham areas. Would be really cool if CSX painted a heritage scheme for Durham & Southern or at least an emblem on the former D&S switcher that lives on. I found out about this shortline in 2022 when I was around the Holcim factory. The first switcher I saw is the road number of 6900, I’ve caught two different other locomotives that are a 6900 a UP AC6000CW and the Southern E8A. Still have yet to see the SD60E. But aside from all that I will continue to Railfan around D&S. Thanks for sharing this great documentary.
This is so cool to see. I volunteer with the New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal, and the old line (and I think the new line) was at one time D&S.
unfortunately not, D&S was further east
Great video, thanks.
Many of the business records of the Durham & Southern are in the Manuscript Department of Perkins Library, Duke University (Durham, N.C.). These items cannot be checked out but can be reviewed on-site by researchers with prior appointments. Photocopies can be made for a small fee during a visit. The manuscript department also has some business records of the Atlantic & Western (Sanford, N.C.) and its related companies.
There was also a full-page feature about the Durham & Southern on the front page of the Sunday feature section of the Durham Morning Herald during the summer of 1964. (Don't have the exact date handy.) That should be available on microfilm at some area libraries.
Cool, interesting video!
Get you a woman that loves you like this man loves the Durham and Southern. 😂
This is the best comment i’ve ever gotten 😂
One of the Baldwin’s D&S bought from Ns still exists in ga at a wood mill and is now cabless and has a new engine in it, it is also remotely controlled now, it’s still running from what I’ve heard.
Awesome video. I operated the RS 12s in morehead ky in the 80s and 90s.
This is AWESOME!!!! Do you think another episode can be about the abandoned portion of the S-Line from raleigh to richmond?
Thank you! Possibly… could definitely be interesting with it being “revived”
This video is fantastic, great editing, videography, and research. I hope you make many more of these.
Congratulations to an awesome piece of history telling. 🎉 I found your presentation very interesting and informative. I'm looking forward to your next projects. As a local just living of old stage Rd at the border to Johnston county, the history of the area I live in is very dear to me.
great video! As someone who grew up in Raleigh I also only found out D&S existed last year.
Fantastic video! I'm a huge fan of the railroad and live right by the D&S in Apex.. I've been waiting for a comprehensive video on the D&S for a while! Did not disappoint 🔥🔥
Spectacular! Loved the editing and formatting of this video, it is very in depth, though, I have some constructive criticism, more information that wasn’t mentioned, and a few inaccuracies I noticed as I have researched the crap out of this railroad:
I wish their bicentennial GP38-2 could have been mentioned.
Only one of their GP38-2s are still in operation on CSX that I know of, that is the former bicentennial.
There’s a bit of SCL slander here, the SCL didn’t neglect the GP38-2s. Just repainted them, no modifications were done, everything stayed the same except for the paint.
It would be nice if more of the individual locomotive’s history and fate were discussed.
I did really enjoy this video though, there were some fascinating things I never knew like the station robbery and EMD offer.
Awesome video! I never knew all the history of this line until your video! Looking forward to part 2
Thank you! Hopefully editing on that one doesn't take nearly as long as it took on this one lol
Excellent video! Looking forward to your next project! The city of Durham was, at one time, a railroad Mecca of sorts, hosting the Southern Ry, D&S from the south, “old”NS from the south, N&W from the north (Lynchburg, Va) and Seaboard Air Line from the north (Henderson). Just imagine being in a small southern town and watching five uniquely different railroads in action! The N&W, old NS and SAL lines are long gone now. The “Bull City” might make an interesting subject for a video!? Thanks for a first class job on this!
Indeed, Durham was really something back in the day! Thanks for the kind words
Great video man! I live in Erwin so this is a very interesting watch!
@@ctrproductions2033 Glad to see locals taking interest in the history, and glad you enjoyed!
Wonderful video! I'm a new subscriber. I grew up in Durham, now residing in Asheboro. I remember my Dad taking me downtown to see the Bicentennial locomotive. Looking forward to part two.
Incredibly well made video! Everything about this series premiere is great ranging from the music to the storytelling, as even if it may have taken a while to complete with 15 revisions, it is still completely worth it in the end. It's always nice to highlight lesser known railroads such as these, as it helps raise awareness for generations to come as they help preserve both local and national railroading history. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next. Subscribed!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed!
nice tad bit of local state railway history, shoutout from the Forsyth Area, home of the former Winston Salem Southbound Railroad
Davidson county viewer here. WSSB fan. Appreciate this video.
I've railfanned this line from Durham for so long it's actually a nice stretch of track and easy to chase the train from Durham to Apex along it's many stops. Many being Cement plant these days
Great video!! I have alot of pictures from various locations around Durham during this time that were given to me by a coworker.
Omg my local lost railroad gets some love.
As someone who’s from nc this is neat
Great work!!!
This is absolutely amazing you did perfect I look forward to your series I live in wnc same town as Tweetsie railroad and a railroad that absolutely caught my eye was the Carolina & north western railroad that right there is your key to one of the most interesting and unique railroads down from there history to there rolling stock and the fact they served 3 different gauges at different points I’m begging you there’s many different fallen railroads In NC but if you’re looking for personally one of if not the best please check it out you won’t be disappointed
Wow! This is a great video!! 10/10 🔥🔥🔥
Must have been the Bonsal RR that ran thru New Hope Valley now Jordan Lake. When they took up the rails and ties my 65 Volkswagen fit perfectly on the wooden trestle bridges were still standing . Had a ball out there breifly
I believe that was the original Norfolk & Southern that ran through there. I guess the line was abandoned when they filled Jordan lake
That was the old original Norfolk Southern Rwy tracks, the Durham-Duncan branchline, it was relocated when they built Jordan Lake. The New Hope Valley Railroad now runs on the re-routed track.
I would love to see a video on the abandoned ACWR line from Star, NC to Gulf, NC
@mainlymoore I’ll see what I can do!
Since the D&S had an interchange with Norfolk Southern Rwy, are you thinking of doing a small video of the NS Rwy? Excellent presentation.
@@jfreelan1964 I likely will at some point!
@@piedmontrf81 I have ties to Elizabeth City, and would love one like this for it! Good stuff is rather hard to find on it, due to the name share with the modern system.
You Should do one on the P&N SC and NC Lines
I grew up right off Holly Springs rd and Ten-Ten rd and have always heard stories about the old railroad running thru Apex, so this is like candy to me seeing something so close to home explained so well. You forgot to mention how much Holly Springs LOVES to destroy their history as well. If I may ask, where did you find the news reel talking about the Pittsboro and Moncure railway? I just found out last year that my dad owns land on what used to be an old siding (or offshoot? I'm not an avid foamer so I dont know the proper term) and they've owned it since that railroad shut down back in the 80s
That’s very interesting! Unfortunately I don’t quite remember where it was from as I found it quite a while ago - but I believe it was from an old CBS 17 segment on of course the Seaboard closing short lines in the NC area.
@piedmontrf81 thank you! I only knew what it was by looking at old Chatham Co. aerials!
He's using "Take Me for a Little While" by Vanilla Fudge! Great song!
If you download the app rail guide you can see where all the abandoned railroad tracks are
Great video. I live in the Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina area and travel for work often between Apex and Lillington and have always been fascinated with the railroad history in the area and wanting to learn more. I had no idea that the railroad came through Holly Springs at one time. Where ŵas the ROW through Holly Springs located? I'm assuming probably where Business 55 is going into downtown.
@@arthurklose2300 Yes, if you use Raleigh’s IMaps and look at old aerials you can see the tracks. They ran behind Advance Auto and all that along Main st before crossing it and running along avent ferry through downtown.
The ROW is basically right behind where Town Hall is today. The parking deck is where the station was once located. The track followed Avent Ferry Rd before veering off towards what is now the hospital.
Excellent!!! What street was the old headquarters on?
Thanks! It was (and still is) on Ramseur street
Did the line run to or connect at Eden, NC?
Unfortunately it did not, it was more eastern in the Raleigh/Durham area
@@piedmontrf81 Thanks. Was the RR owned or financed by locals or some sort of dedicated branch of a larger line?
OG NS video?:D
maybe
Durham and Southern railway merge with seaboard air line seaboard coast line seaboard system now csx
To them unprofitable probaby means unprofitable
Cant wait part 2