Regular A&R service involves a switching operation in Fayetteville, which shifts cars to and from the many industries there from the Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation interchanges. The Fayetteville-based switcher keeps busy serving a number of local industries, including resin manufacturer Hexion Chemicals, and River Terminal.
The A&R is one short line that has been conscious of its history. In Raeford, the A&R depot became the local Chamber of Commerce office. In Aberdeen, one of the A&R’s famous side-door cabooses rests beside the old Union Station (now a museum) and another is located beside the railroad’s general office. In 1992 the company celebrated its 100th anniversary with a party for owners, employees and shippers featuring a cookout, music and train rides using one of the old cabooses.
Such thoughtfulness is the stuff good short lines are made of, especially one that calls itself “The Road of Personal Service.” It’s the kind of railroad about which Lucius Beebe might wax poetic today – and the kind John Blue would be proud to see reach and pass its 100th year.
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