Crossties over Saluda
Mcphee Jacob
Book Report # 1
Title: Crossties Over Saluda
Author: John F. Gilbert, Text by Grady Jefferys
Publisher: John F. Gilbert, Gilbert Design, Inc. /Crossties Press Books, 340 Transylvania Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Date: Copyright 1971 & 1982 Revised Edition 2001
The Crossties Over Saluda is a factual, yet very interesting book on the southern railway system starting throughout the 1800’s and onto the 1900’s. Around 1832, developing a rail line from Spartanburg to Asheville was pondered upon. Construction then started years later by the Spartanburg and Asheville Railroad. The road follows almost identical to the famous Wilderness Trail, when early settlers laboriously set out to search of new lands to relocate. Captain Charles Pearson was the resident engineer in charge of the project, which began in North Carolina. In 1877, under hardships via financial challenges, the line was complete to Tryon, NC. Constructing the railway through Saluda was a difficult task. Saluda Mountain was in the way, going through it and under was out of the question. So going over the mountain was only option. The steepest grade point was 5.03%. During the construction and after completion, Saluda was the scene for numerous casualties and fatalities. Precautions were taking, which develops safety tracks and crews, inspectors on the hill. Safety tracks would halt a train by a very steep opposing grade. They were nearly completed in 1903. The safety track were discontinued when the invention of the electric diesel locomotives and improved braking systems.
The Great Flood of 1916 was an unfortunate event on the Saluda Mountain. On July 14 and 15th, rainfall went nonstop, as water spilled down the mountainsides into already overflowing rivers. The damage was enormous. Tracks, automobiles and streetcars under water. Steam engines were in nearby freight yards were abandoned. August 3, 1916, the first passengers board the train
Book Report # 1
Title: Crossties Over Saluda
Author: John F. Gilbert, Text by Grady Jefferys
Publisher: John F. Gilbert, Gilbert Design, Inc. /Crossties Press Books, 340 Transylvania Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Date: Copyright 1971 & 1982 Revised Edition 2001
The Crossties Over Saluda is a factual, yet very interesting book on the southern railway system starting throughout the 1800’s and onto the 1900’s. Around 1832, developing a rail line from Spartanburg to Asheville was pondered upon. Construction then started years later by the Spartanburg and Asheville Railroad. The road follows almost identical to the famous Wilderness Trail, when early settlers laboriously set out to search of new lands to relocate. Captain Charles Pearson was the resident engineer in charge of the project, which began in North Carolina. In 1877, under hardships via financial challenges, the line was complete to Tryon, NC. Constructing the railway through Saluda was a difficult task. Saluda Mountain was in the way, going through it and under was out of the question. So going over the mountain was only option. The steepest grade point was 5.03%. During the construction and after completion, Saluda was the scene for numerous casualties and fatalities. Precautions were taking, which develops safety tracks and crews, inspectors on the hill. Safety tracks would halt a train by a very steep opposing grade. They were nearly completed in 1903. The safety track were discontinued when the invention of the electric diesel locomotives and improved braking systems.
The Great Flood of 1916 was an unfortunate event on the Saluda Mountain. On July 14 and 15th, rainfall went nonstop, as water spilled down the mountainsides into already overflowing rivers. The damage was enormous. Tracks, automobiles and streetcars under water. Steam engines were in nearby freight yards were abandoned. August 3, 1916, the first passengers board the train