Oconee and Western Railroad, Laurens Co. GA

Submitted by Scott Warren

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Scott

The train that you refer to was the Wrightsville and Tennille 
Railroad. The W&T had purchased that branch during 1899.  I have 
a picutre of one of their trains.  The picuture was taken at the 
railroad shops in East Dublin. The locomotive probably made the 
trip past your folk's place sometime.  That section of the W&T 
was petitioned for abandonment during World War II.  The United 
States Railroad Administration did not allow the abandonment till
sometime after the war's end.  The petition was granted during 
the war time.

The W&T finally got to take up all of the rails in the late 40's.    
The railroad you are looking for in particular started out as the 
Empire and Dublin Railroad.  It was chartered in 1889.  The 
railroad had been formed to run some 30 miles to the town of 
Empire ( Dodge Co ).  The railroad was completed in 1892 and 
opened for service.  The E&D was purchased shortly after being 
completed in 1892 because of bankruptcy.  The new name was the 
Oconee and Western.  

The line was extended to Hawkinsville before the W&T purchased it 
in 1899.  I have also have a copy of a stock certificate for the 
Oconee and Western Railroad.  It is in a book, " Ghost Trains and 
Depots of Georgia. "  If you would like to call me or come by and 
see me Please call 274-1085.

The railroad was taken up and Ga 257 now follows the railroad bed 
for a good portion of the trip to Hawkinsville.  I hope some of 
this information may help you.

Leon

PS.  If I had a really good scanner ( which I  don't yet ) I 
would send you a copy in the e-mail