Eastern Alabama Railway
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| Reporting mark | EARY |
|---|---|
| Locale | Talladega, Alabama to Sylacauga, Alabama |
| Dates of operation | November 26, 1990–present |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 26 miles (42 km) |
| Headquarters | Boca Raton, Florida (corporate); Sylacauga, Alabama (operations) |
The Eastern Alabama Railway (reporting mark EARY) is one of many short line railroad companies owned by Genesee & Wyoming. On November 26, 1990, the line was sold by CSX to the Eastern Alabama Railway, a subsidiary of Kyle Railways. Kyle Railways later sold the EARY to RailAmerica in 2002 and RailAmerica was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2012.
The line, which is 26 miles (42 km) long, was constructed 1883 as a narrow gauge railroad known as the Anniston and Atlantic Railroad. On July 19, 1889, the Anniston & Atlantic Railroad became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad under the Alabama Mineral Railroad. The L&N became part of the Seaboard System in 1982 and the CSX in 1986.
The EARY also operated a separate line running from Wellington to Anniston, Alabama. The Wellington line was abandoned in November 1992. The Wellington line was also former Louisville & Nashville track and ran through Alexandria - Mahlep - Gladden Jct - Leatherwood - Blue Mountain.
The railroad's main commodities are limestone, urea, paper products, and food products. The EARY hauled around 15,000 carloads in 2008.
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