Mississippi Rails

Fernwood & Gulf Railroad 1906-1920

Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railroad 1920-1972

Standard Gauge
Headquarters: Fernwood, MS

Years of Operation: 1906-1972

Miles Operated: 44.10

Locomotives Owned: Steam- 18 Diesel- 8

Also see: Fernwood Lumber Co.

Equipment:

June 30, 1914- 4 locomotives, 2 passenger, 1 combine, 1 baggage, 10 box, 9 flats, 58 log, 2 cabooses

Click map for larger version
Google Earth Map HERE

The Fernwood & Gulf Railroad was incorporated on March 31, 1906 by the Enochs family, owners of the large Fernwood Lumber Co., to take over the mainline of the lumber company’s logging railroad extending eastward from Fernwood 20.3 miles to Tylertown. The lumber company continued to operate logging spurs off of the F&G. The F&G was gradually extended eastward until it finally reached Columbia and the railroad was renamed Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf on May 1, 1920. The last 2.68 miles from Foxworth to Columbia was over the New Orleans Great Northern, later part of the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio. FC&G did build its own depot and terminal facilities in Columbia. On September 1, 1972, the FC&G became part of the newly formed Illinois Central Gulf, who abandoned the line in segments, the last of which was removed by the early 1980’s. Today there is very little left to remind us where the FC&G used to run.
For more info see:

http://www.taplines.net/August/augindex.htm

FC&G 10 at Fernwood.

The FC&G and IC shared this depot at Fernwood. FC&G train ready to leave on the left, while the IC main is visible on the right.

F&G train pulls up to a water tank at a creek crossing.

FC&G shops at Fernwood.

FC&G 12 at Fernwood.

FC&G divided coach was replaced by motor cars in the 1930's.

FC&G's depot at Columbia not long after it was built.

FC&G caboose 11 at Fernwood.

FC&G's depot at Tylertown has since been converted to a convenience store.

FC&G 44-tonners on a trainload of pipe in 1949.

D-1, D-2, and D-3 at Fernwood on July 8, 1949.

FC&G 44-tonner D-6 and caboose at Fernwood.

FC&G 900 at Fernwood in April 1968.

900 returns from Columbia to Foxworth with the caboose in October 1968.

900 and caboose crossing the Pearl River at Columia in October 1968.

FC&G's classic wood depot at Kokomo.

FC&G 900 leads an eastbound freight just east of the Bogue Chitto River.

FC&G 600 pushing the train up the grade from the Bogue Chitto River will soon cut off on the fly and return to Fernwood.

FC&G 900 ready to depart Fernwood. The company office building appears on the right.

FC&G 900 at Fernwood.

30" gauge Shay at the millpond at Fernwood in the 1890's.

An early view of a Fernwood Lumber Co. camp.

Builder's photo of Fernwood Lumber Co. No. 16, 3-truck Shay.

FC&G 900 at the Fernwood servicing facilities

FC&G crew takes a break in front of the Tylertown depot.

GM&O's Bogue Chitto branch local blocks the FC&G crossing while switching in Tylertown.

FC&G bought this ex-NYO&W steam generator car to supply steam to the pile driver.

This little GE switcher was used at the creosote plant in Fernwood.

FC&G caboose 15 at Fernwood on February 2, 1972.

FC&G's depot in Tylertown in 1972. The GM&O depot is barely visible to the left in the background.

FC&G 600 arrives at Tylertown on Feb. 2, 1972.

FC&G SW-1 No. 600 about 1972.

FC&G 600 at the shops in Fernwood.

FC&G 900 and a short train on March 18, 1972.

FC&G's steam generator car at Fernwood in 1972.

This strange car, lettered X-1, was used to carry a bulldozer. It is seen here at McCallum on the B&HS on June 5, 1969.

A washout on the Fernwood & Gulf caused this wreck in the early years. Two Fernwood Lbr. Co. log cars are visible, along with an unidentified boxcar.

FC&G No. 11 at the Fernwood shops

FC&G 44-tonners D-1 and D-2 lead a long freight in the early 1950's.

Another view of an FC&G freight in the early 1950's.

GE 44-ton D-1 at Fernwood on September 16, 1953.

FC&G D-3 at Fernwood in September 1954.

At least one 44-tonner received the new colors of gray and maroon in the 1950's, as this photo of D-3 attests.

FC&G D-6 at Fernwood on September 16, 1953.

FC&G bought this motorcar in 1936 to carry the few passengers still choosing rail service and numbered it M-3.

The interior of M-3 motor car.

The next few photos are from a series of shots made by a company-hired photographer on August 11, 1952 along the FC&G right-of-way.

A crane does some excavation on the the FC&G roadbed.

click timetable for larger version

September 1910 Official Guide of the Railways

January 1915 Official Railway Equipment Register- Art Richardson Collection

October 1919 Official Railway Equipment Register- Art Richardson Collection

July 1923 Official Guide of the Railways

December 1930 Official Railway Equipment Register- Art Richardson Collection

March 1937 Official Guide of the Railways- Tony Howe Collection

Fernwood Lumber Co- Fernwood & Gulf RR- Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR Steam Roster
by Gil Hoffman

# SEQ TYPE BUILDER CN # BUILT CYLS DRI DIA WT PREVIOUS OWNER(S) DISPOSITION REMARKS PHOTOS

84 1st 7-2 Shay Lima 84 8-1883 2-7x7 24 16000 I.C. Enochs #84, Magnolia, MS; 30" gauge, built for wood rail. Changed to steel rail by 1886. Fernwood Lumber Co. #84, in 1892 Later changed to 36" gauge. Scrapped 1917 at Fernwood, MS. 30" gauge, later 36" gauge

2 1st 0-6-0T Porter 1214 9-1890 8x14 26 20000 Enochs Brothers #2, Magnolia, MS
Fernwood Lumber Co. #2, in 1892. National Lumber & Creosoting Co.
Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1244
V. V. Lebedjeff Engineering & Supply Co., New York, NY, for: Guira de Melena Sugar Co. #2, Cuba, on 1/12/1917 30" gauge

3 1st 20-2 Shay Lima 411 9-1892 3-8x8 26 40000 New for Fernwood Lbr. Co.. Built standard gauge.
Changed to 30" gauge. Changed back to standard gauge #3 ca. 1904.
Genesee Lumber Co. 2nd #3, Genesee, LA
McCarroll Lumber Co. #3, Holden, LA
Transferred as #1 to Frost, LA, in 1925.
Scrapped ca. 7/1928.
Std ga, conv. to 30" gauge; conv. back to std ga ca. 1904

4 1st 20-2 Shay Lima 405 8-1892 3-9x8 26.5 46000 Morning Mining & Milling Co. #1, Mullan, ID.
Built standard gauge.
Fernwood Lumber Co. #4, on ?
Changed to 30" gauge. Red Creek Lumber Co. #1, Carnes, MS, in 1916.
Holleman & Batson Lumber Co. #1, Lyman, MS, in 1924. Changed back to standard gauge #4 ca. 1904.

5 1st 65-3 Shay Lima 856 1904 3-12x15 36 141000 new for Fernwood Lbr. Co. Copiah Gravel Co., Inc. #5, Crystal Springs, MS, in 1927.
Gatesville Gravel Co. #5, Gatesville, MS, in 11/1935.
Central Mississippi Gravel Co. #5, Crystal Springs, MS
Scrapped 1939. standard gauge

6 1st 65-3 Shay Lima 881 1904 3-12x15 36 141000 new for Fernwood Lbr. Co. J. J. White Lumber Co. #6, Columbia, MS, ca. 11/1/1925. standard gauge

7 1st 4-6-0 Baldwin 2735 3-1872 18x22 55.5 82000 Pennsylvania R.R. #532
St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute #176, in 11/1881.
Fernwood Lumber Co. #7, in 11/1904.
Baldwin class 29½ D 110 Fernwood & Gulf #7, in 12/1913 for $1,620.
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #7, on 4/17/1920.
Fernwood Lumber Co. #7, in 8/1929. standard gauge

8 1st 2-8-0 Altoona 408 1879 18x22 50 Pennsylvania R.R. #99 or #372.
Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #213
Fernwood & Gulf R.R. #8, on 10/31/1904. Cost $4,400. disp.unk. standard gauge

9 1st 2-6-0 Baldwin 6101 3-1882 18x24 55.5 80000 Terre Haute & Indianapolis #46
Fernwood Lumber Co. #9, by 1/1907.
Baldwin class 8-30 D 117 Fernwood & Gulf #9, for $8,781.
In service by 6/1916.
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #9, on 4/17/1920 standard gauge

10 1st 2-6-0 Baldwin 34399 1910 18x24 56 97000 New for Fernwood Lumber Co.
Cost $10,110.
Baldwin class 8-30 D 659 Fernwood & Gulf #10, for $4,708.83.
In service by 6/1916.
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #10, on 4/17/1920.
Scrapped 1947. standard gauge

11 1st 2-8-0 Baldwin 36000 1911 20x24 50 135200 New for Fernwood Lumber Co.
Cost $12,700.
Baldwin class 10-34 E 1977 Fernwood & Gulf #11, on 9/1/1916, for $7,720.74.
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #11, on 4/17/1920.
Scrapped 1947. standard gauge

12 1st 2-8-0 Baldwin 37578 1912 20x26 56 149550 New for Fernwood Lumber Co.
Cost $13,100.
Baldwin class 10-34 E 1994 Fernwood & Gulf #12 for $12,005.
On hand by 6/1916.
J. J. White Lumber Co. #19, Columbia, MS
Kentucky Lumber Co. #19, Columbia, MS, in 1928.
Birmingham Rail & Locomotive Co. #1828
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf as #12,on 12/3/1937.
Cost $5,474.77.
Scrapped 1947. standard gauge

13 1st 2-8-2 Baldwin 40734 1913 20x24 50 164700 New for Fernwood Lumber Co.
Cost $14,500.
Baldwin class 12-34¼ E 27 Apollonia Lumber Co. #13, Pelahatchie, MS
Natalbany Lumber Co. #13, Natalbany, LA
Jahncke Service Co. #13, Bluff Creek, LA standard gauge

14 1st 4-6-0 Brooks 2412 1894 19x24 55 129000 Buffalo & Susquehanna #109
Re.. #122 in 1894.
Re. #152 in 1902.
Re. #111 in 1907.
Wellsville & Buffalo #111, on 12/10/1915.
Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1158
Fernwood Lumber Co. 1st #14, in 9/1917. Cost $7,500. Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1712,
on 12/31/1921 in trade on 2nd #14.
Reynolds-West Lumber Co. #5, Burnside, MS,
on 8/25/1923. standard gauge

14 2nd 4-6-0 Brooks 3557 1900 18x24 63 133000 Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh #187
Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1700, in 10/1921.
Fernwood Lumber Co. 2nd #14,
on 11/30/1921. Cost $8,000 with $6,000 allowed in trade on 1st #14. Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #17 standard gauge

15 1st 4-4-2 Baldwin 19046 1901 19.5x26 72 150300 Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh #161
Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1505
Fernwood & Gulf #15, on 12/19/1919.
Cost $12,500.
Baldwin class 10-32¼ C 40 Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #15, on 4/17/1920.
Scrapped 1936. standard gauge

16 1st 80-3 Shay Lima 3096 1920 3-13.5x15 36 179000 New for Fernwood Lumber Co.
Cost $24,075. Polk Operating Co. #6, Grande Ronde, OR, in 2/1930.
Willamina & Grande Ronde #6, Grande Ronde, OR, ca. 3/1944. standard gauge

17 1st 4-6-0 Brooks 3557 1900 18x24 63 133000 Fernwood Lumber Co. 2nd #14
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf #17 Southern Iron & Equipment Co. #1712,
on 12/31/1921 in trade on 2nd #14.
Reynolds-West Lumber Co. #5, Burnside, MS,
on 8/25/1923. standard gauge

Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR Diesel Roster
by Tony Howe with info from David S. Price, Allen Stanley, RRpicturearchives.net, and The Diesel Shop

Road # SEQ MODEL BUILDER FRAME # SERIAL # DATE BUILT PREVIOUS OWNER(S) DISPOSITION REMARKS PHOTOS

D-1 1st 44-ton GE 18195 3/30/1945 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR to Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern RR #504 in 10-1957; to Raymond International 4405

D-2 1st 44-ton GE 18196 3/30/1945 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR to Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern RR #505 in 10-1957; to Raymond International 4406

D-3 1st 44-ton GE 18197 4/6/1945 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR to Arcata & Mad River #104 in 1960; to Roots of Motive Power, Willits, CA

D-4 1st 44-ton GE 28347 4/26/1947 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR to South Carolina State Port Authority #104, Charleston, SC
to Pittsburgh Metallurgical, Airco Alloys Div., Calvert, Ky

to Pittsburgh Metallurgical, Airco Alloys Div #2, Charleston, SC

D-5 1st 44-ton GE 15030 11/1941 New York Ontario & Western #103; to FC&G D-5 in 8-1950 to Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern RR #503 in 8-1957; to A. Merilees/IREX #503; to Simplot Chemical

D-6 1st 44-ton GE 15029 12/1941 Mississippi Export RR #47; to FC&G D-6 in ?? to Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern RR #502 in 7-1957; to A. Merilees/IREX #502; scrapped

600 1st SW1 EMD 407-3 1398 9/30/1941 Elgin Joliet & Eastern RR #240; to FC&G #600 on 6-11-1959 to Illinois Central Gulf RR #618 8-1972; to CAGY #525; to Vulcan Material (VMMX) #4545

900 1st SW900 EMD 4390-1 23298 4/1957 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR to Illinois Central Gulf RR 8-1972; to Hutchinson & Northern RR #6 in 1983

M-1 1st Model 30 Brill 22829 1930 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR motor car

M-3 1st Kalamazoo C-58373 1936 New for Fernwood Columbia & Gulf RR? motor car

M-4 1st FC&G Shops 1937 assembled in FC&G Shops to Louis Saillard; now at Southern Forest Heritage Museum at Long Leaf, LA motor car

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For more information contact Tony Howe at tonyhowe76@yahoo.com or David S. Price at davidsprice46@gmail.com

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