Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority
| Reporting mark | HMCR |
|---|---|
| Locale | Huntsville, Alabama to Norton, Alabama |
| Dates of operation | 1984–present |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Headquarters | Huntsville, Alabama |
The Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority (reporting mark HMCR) was created in 1984 to operate on 14 miles (23 km) of track that was abandoned by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
The line was originally constructed by the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway and this portion of the railway ran from Huntsville to Attalla, Alabama (near Gadsden). A ferry ran the train down the Tennessee River between Incline (near Hobbs Island) and Gunters Landing (at Guntersville). The NC&StL later became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The HMCR now operates the line between downtown Huntsville and the community of Norton. The tracks between Norton and Incline have been abandoned and in sections, have been removed completely. The Alabama and Tennessee River Railway operates the line south of Guntersville. The ferry service has been abandoned.
In early 2015, the railroad began utilizing General Electric locomotives, and retired the EMD switchers historically in use. In early 2017, HMCR rostered one U23B, one B23-7, and three B39-8E locomotives.
The Alabama Industrial Railroad operated the HMCR from 1984 until February 1985. The HMCR is now operated as a Class 3 shortline by the Authority, Mark Seeley, Chairman; Karen P. Monroe, General Manager; Bruce Crawford, Manager of Operations.
The HMCR interchanges with the Norfolk Southern at Huntsville, Alabama.
Sources
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide 5th ed., (Kalmbach Books, 1996).
- Mike Walker, SPV's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Southern States (Steam Powered Publishing & SPV, 2001) Ownership and detail of rail line.
- North America Railroad Map Software v 2.13, (Railway Station Productions, 2004)