The postwar A&R was aggressive. One of the first southern short lines to dieselize, in 1947 the A&R bought its first internal combustion locomotive from EMD, and F3 numbered 200. The line followed up with F3 201 the following year. During its early history, the A&R had a varied collection of motive power that included a 2-4-0, 4-4-0s and 4-6-0s. Three light 2-8-2s and a 2-8-0 were the mainstay in later years, but now the A&R was to be one of the few short lines to own cab units. Interestingly, the A&R’s motive power history in the diesel era is preserved intact and in operation today with GP7 205, GP18 300 and GP38 400 rotating through the shop, on the road job and in use on the Fayetteville switcher.
Still, the old ways die slowly in the Carolinas. As late as 1977, the A&R still rostered one steam locomotive. Mikado No. 40 remained at the Aberdeen Shops for years, a sentimental favorite on the line and a curiosity that frequently traveled in tow to various A&R communities to participate in local festivals. The steamer was eventually destined to go on permanent display in Aberdeen, but in 1977 the locomotive and tender were loaded on two flatcars and shipped north to their new owner, the Valley Railroad of Essex, Connecticut where it continues in service today.
Except for special troop movements to Fort Bragg that continued through the 1960s, A&R passenger service died when the “jitney” was retired in 1950. The only public excursion operated since then took place one weekend in October 1981 when the Old North State Chapter NRHS used three of its cars on a pair of trips over the A&R.
In modern times, the A&R fielded a fleet of boxcars painted in a light blue paint scheme with orange lettering and a handful of other freight cars, including gondolas bearing the line’s slogan: “The Road of Personal Service.” And until the early 1980s, A&R freights still carried one of two unique, homemade cabooses, complete with side door for less than carload freight.
The late 1980s brought more than rust to the flanges of the cabooses in Aberdeen. Things were changing to make the A&R a player in the growing business of running multiple short lines.
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