 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Reporting mark | PN |
| Locale | Upstate South Carolina, Western North Carolina |
| Dates of operation | 1911–1969 |
| Predecessor | Piedmont Traction Company, Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson Railway |
| Successor | Seaboard Coast Line |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Electrification | 1500 volts DC (until 1954) |
| Length | 128 miles (206 km) |
The Piedmont & Northern Railway (reporting mark PN) was a heavy electric interurban company operating over two disconnected divisions in North and South Carolina. Tracks spanned 128 miles (206 km) total between the two segments, with the northern division running 24 miles (39 km) from Charlotte, to Gastonia, North Carolina, including a three-mile (5 km) spur to Belmont. The southern division main line ran 89 miles (143 km) from Greenwood to Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a 12 mi (19 km) spur to Anderson. Initially the railroad was electrified at 1500 volts DC, however, much of the electrification was abandoned when dieselisation was completed in 1954.[1]
Unlike similar interurban systems the Piedmont & Northern survived the Great Depression and was later absorbed into the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad in 1969.[2] Although part of the railroad was abandoned between Greenwood and Honea Path and Belton to Anderson, much of the original system exists today as shortlines.
- ^ Hilton, George W.; Due, John F. (2000). The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford University Press. pp. 331–333. ISBN 0-8047-4014-3.
- ^ Lennon, J. Establishing Trails on Rights-of-Way. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior. p. 53.