Just a quick question.... happened to be in Jackson LA the other day and came across the "Old Hickory Railroad"... a narrow gauge operation ... Did some quick research on line... and apparently the Old Hickory Railroad was built to commemorate the Clinton and Port Hudson Railroad ( which apparently had a spur into Jackson LA ) From what I read on line, the present equipment was built in 1964, and moved to Jackson in 1998. The railroad travels ( or it did ) a 6.2 mile route and per the records started operation in 2000. It said on site that the railroad runs Saturday and Sunday from March till November however the place was empty, semi neglected, and even on a Saturday, not a soul was around ....

Perhaps someone knows if this operation is still functioning... A 6.2 mile ( from what it says ) live steam ( is it live steam or propane ? ) narrow gauge operation is pretty neat ( especially given it started in the year 2000 ) ... 6.2 miles is a good amount of land to be secured and trackage to be installed.... In addition, any clue where the locomotive and equipment operated prior to its arrival in Jackson LA ? The locomotive had a builders plate indicating it was built by Crown Metal Products in Wyano PA and the trucks under these cars were built by the Magor car corp...

Thought it was pretty interesting as I never knew this place existed.... perhaps someone knows more ? I include some photographs ... Jackson had rail service at one time, perhaps the Depot came from Jackson or nearby Clinton LA.. or is a replica ?

Anyway... thought some members of the forum might find it interesting...


Dean Levin

a few more photographs...

What gauge is this?
....looks like a Crown Metals engine.

Dean already mentioned that this was a Crown Metal Products locomotive. As for the depot, I checked the Railroad Station Historical Society listing for Louisiana and they do not show a depot at Jackson, nor one moved from another location TO Jackson.

Les

Historic Machinery Services has sent a contract to the principles of the Old Hickory RR, for the evaluation of the equipment and repair work. We did a initial inspection in April, and based on that we are preparing to enter into contract for further tear-down and more detailed evaluation of the equipment.

At this point, the plan is for Historic Machinery to rebuild and repair the equipment, provide training and qualification of the operating crews. Track work will be done by others.



Robert Yuill

http://www.historicmachineryservices.com

Old Hickory RR's website states that "the train is not currently operating" and gives no projected date of return to service. http://www.louisianasteamtrain.com/tickets.htm
The Greater Baton Rouge Model Railroader's site http://www.greaterbrrailroaders.com/ says that the Old Hickory will be running in 2012.

Various internet postings indicate that the Old Hickory hasn't run since about 2009.

The steam loco was built by Crown in 1964 for the Frontier Land amusement park in Cherokee, NC, and apparently was used for a time by Frontier Land's successor park, Magic Waters Fun Park. Loco and cars were for sale around 1986 with no takers - finally sold in 1998 to Old Hickory. The area that Frontier Land/Magic Waters occupied is now the site of Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Here's a Frontier Land brochure from 1981 http://tinyurl.com/444ccts

Jim Tatum.

thanks Jim, Robert and Les.....

I learned a few things...

To Jim and Robert... perhaps you have an answer to this... as you enter the property in Jackson, there is this concrete pad with tracks in it, with the decorative metal work in the front... It all does not look very old ... any clue what this was for ? Also perhaps Robert knows, was the operation shut down due to mechanical problems, track problems, economic problems, etc ?

again.... thanks for the information....


Dean Levin

Those have to be Crown cars as well.