Raccoon County Railroad Company

The Raccoon County Railroad Company was a shortline that ran in Sheldon, North Carolina.

History
Around 1905, shortly after the town of Sheldon was founded, the Seamus Lumber Company began operations in the hills northeast of Raccoon County. In order to get the cut lumber from the camps in Possum Hollow down to the mills in Sheldon, it was obvious a railroad was needed to be built. In 1908, a railroad company was chartered and construction began using a brand new 2-6-2 Prairie type locomotive from Baldwin Locomotive Works. However, in the spring of 1916, a flood washed away most of its trackage along with its only locomotive. The engine was later salvaged and continued service for another 10 years.

The railroad at first was a financial success, bringing cut lumber from Possum Hollow down to the mill in Sheldon, North Carolina. But as the years passed, the lumber sources began to dry up. Finally, in 1926, the railroad filed for bankruptcy. The Raccoon County National Bank then bought all properties of the railroad, including its track, rolling stock, and only locomotive. The railroad was then put up for auction and a businessman by the name of J.D. Morris.

After the track was rebuilt, the railroad bought 2 new shay locomotives from the Lima Locomotive Works. Numbered 1927 and 1928 after the years they were built. The railroad managed to stay out of bankruptcy during the Great Depression. But dark times loomed ahead.

In the early 1950s, most of the lumber industry in the county dried up when most of the land was sold to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so the railroad began to offer other services in order to keep above water. In the late 1960s, the railroad began offering excursion rides. In 1969, engine #1928 lost its air brakes and it derailed, tipping over onto its engineers' side. It was then brought back to the shops and repaired using parts off of engine #1927.

Trivia

 * The railroad is based on the Graham County Railroad Company that used to run in Robbinsville, North Carolina. The town where the author's maternal grandparents grew up.