gauge. Three have one thing in common, their purpose for
being built and operated, the movement of coal and lumber.
This single purpose was also the root of their demise, and that
of many other shortlines.
Two of the narrow gauge railroads served iron furnaces early
in their existence and had coke ovens on the railroad. A third
hauled coal from mines to coking ovens. To give some variety
to my Clinch River, I decided to build a small battery of coke
ovens at Stewart’s Gap.
As an aside, the Rio Grande also had coke ovens in many
locations on the railroad, so you Colorado fans won’t feel
left out.
1: Surviving Lewisburg coke ovens at Fultondale, AL.
Courtesy of
John Stewart Collection
1
The Lite and Narrow - 2
MRH-Dec 2013
