Sure there is a whole story behind this shortline. Im not sure of the dates but i can give you the history of what turned into Franklin Indusitrie Minerals. L&N used to own the line from Rockwood TN to Nashville TN.The State of Tennesee Purchased the line from The L&N. Then led to Norfolk Southern and CSX bidding on it years later. They both wanted the line so they split it up into 2 sections. CSX owned the biggest half from Nashville to Crossville TN, And NS from Crossville to Rockwood. Well CSX being dumb took up their part of track which was stupid on their part. because if they had not of took their part of the line up there would be a complete line stretching from Memphis all the way to Rockwood. NS was smart and kept their part of the line active. a few years later A HUGE Limeston quarry opened in Crab Orchard TN right outside of Crossville right beside the NS line. The most obvious way to haul it out was by rail down to Rockwood, Norfolk Southerns part of the line like i said connected to Rockwood TN which held NS main line stretching from chatagnooga to Chicago. So Norfolk Southern Sold the line to the large limstone company they bought their own engines. and now they interchange with NS at rockwood. There is a train everyday heading down to rockwood with loads and coming back with empties. Hope this helps
Thanks! That's a good amount of data. From those places you've named, this almost sounds like part of what was once the Tennessee Central RY. Boxcab E50
