Alexander Railroad SW1500 #11 is preparing to leave Taylorsville, North Carolina on the way to work customers and interchange with Norfolk Southern in Statesville, North Carolina.

A beautiful but cool December day sees one of four Alexander Railroad SW1500s running lite to begin their day of work. They are just starting their journey out of Taylorsville and set to begin the... (more)

While some shortlines have withered away over the years, the Alexander seems to be adding new customers and new sidings every time I visit. This small yard near the line's northern terminus of Tay... (more)

Each weekday morning the ARC days starts with pulling one of the line's 4 spotless SW1500's from the engine house. The shop once held the line's small fleet of ALCO switchers painted in the bright... (more)

Running light to reach their first switching duties of the morning, the day's run leaves some ominous clouds behind.

#6 heads east on a foggy morning.

Every morning, five days a week, the ARC crew unlocks this rusty old pad lock, which serves as the sole ARC yard security in Taylorsville, fires up an old switcher such as Alco #6, and rolls off t... (more)

ARC 6 begins her day running light southbound out of Taylorsville through front and back yards in great morning light. The little Alco was built in 1953 and came to the ARC in 1976. Her 6-cylinde... (more)

Pouring sand from bags into no. 8's hoppers.

ARC Alco #7 & SW9 #8 rest at the ARC shop