The L & N Depot in 1946

Above is a shot from the tracks of the depot in Shelby as it appeared in 1946. Although Shelby Iron ceased manufacturing operations in 1923, the company remained in business well into the mid 20th century. The depot remained a thriving and important location for Shelby residents. In 1946, the post office  still occupied the original 1870 building located less than100 yards from the depot, Mail coming in on the train would be loaded onto carts and pulled to the nearby building. Shelby residents would gather daily to “meet the train” for mail, freight, and, of course, to see who was entering or departing town on one of the passenger trains.

Shelby Iron’s “Hoodlum” at the Station

The Shelby Iron Company railroad connecting Shelby and Columbiana, approximately five miles distant, was constructed during the height of the Civil War.
In addition to freight, the “Hoodlum”, as the train was called, was also a daily passenger service which continued throughout the Iron Company’s existence.
In this photo, the “Hoodlum” and crew wait at the station in Shelby.
The reason for the name?
I have no idea…but I’ll bet there’s a story there someplace.

“Hoodlum” Time Table

1888 time table for the “Hoodlum”, which was a daily passenger rail service between Shelby and Columbiana on the Shelby Iron Company Railroad.

Shelby Iron Locomotive

The undated photo above shows a locomotive owned by Shelby Iron Company. The iron works ran daily rail service from Shelby to Columbiana where it connected with the main line. There was also rail service in later years as a part of the Alabama Mineral Line which ran from Calera, through Shelby, and on to the Anniston and Blue Mountain area.
If you have any information as to a possible date of construction, company, etc.,. regarding this locomotive, please contact me.