Huntsville & Madison County Railroad Authority

This 14 mile short line in north Alabama was created in 1984 by its two named goverments -- the city of Huntsville and Madison County -- following the abandonment of the branch line by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The HMCR interchanges with the Norfolk Southern in Huntsville and runs south to the town of Norton. At the time of our visit in 1986, the locomotive was kept at the office and small yard at U.S. 231/431 and Church Street, Huntsville. Today the HMCR rosters two SW9 switchers and handles 500 carloads a year.