Trains of Alabama: Short Lines, Railyards, Engines, Heritage Units, Railfan Photos, & More

Teenager Brayden Dexter Greene has traveled North Alabama collecting photos of his favorite trains and railroad settings. From the peculiar freight engines of Amtrak to the beautiful Heritage Units of Norfolk Southern to the new rebuilds of CSX locomotives, Brayden chronicles both the commonplace and unusual trains crisscrossing the state, carrying passengers and freight. He takes a close look at some notable shortlines, such as the Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad out of Gadsden and the Huntsville & Madison County Railroad Authority, which locks down its engines in the downtown area of Huntsville. Backgrounds include Birmingham’s famous Sloss Furnaces and several notable railyards, including the CSX Boyles Yard in Tarrant, the Norfolk Southern Norris Yard in Irondale, and the BNSF East Thomas Yard in Birmingham. Featuring an introduction by renowned wildlife photographer and author of Journey Through the Lens Angie Birmingham, Brayden’s collection tells the stories behind Alabama’s rail history. Still, the images are the stars here, those mighty trains that move the world even as they inspire the passions of one teen who shares his favorites in Trains of Alabama! Read more