The Seaboard Air Line Railroad's East Carolina Line (H Line) was the unofficial name of their line running from Hamlet, North Carolina through eastern South Carolina to Savannah, Georgia. Officially designated on Seaboard employee timetables as the Andrews Subdivision from Hamlet to Andrews, South Carolina, and the Charleston Subdivision from Andrews south, the line was known as the East Carolina Line by Seaboard employees due to its location in eastern South Carolina. With connections to the Seaboard's main line at both ends, the East Carolina Line was frequently used as an alternative freight route for the company.
The line is still in service between Hamlet and Charleston as the Andrews Subdivision today and it is operated by Seaboard successor, CSX Transportation.
Route description
The East Carolina Line began in Hamlet, North Carolina at East Junction, where it split from the company's Wilmington Subdivision. East Junction was located just east of the Seaboard's major junction with its main line at Hamlet station.
From East Junction, the East Carolina Line ran southeast into South Carolina, passing through Dillon, Mullins, and Andrews before reaching Charleston.
Beyond Charleston, it continued southwest through the coastal marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry and passing through Lobeco, Levy, and into Georgia. In Georgia, it entered Savannah via Hutchinson Island and reconnected with their main line at Bridge Junction in Savannah.
History
1884-1915: Formation and early years
The East Carolina Line from Hamlet to Charleston was built by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad's predecessor companies. The first segment to be built was from Hamlet to Gibson, North Carolina which was built in 1884 by the Raleigh and Augusta Air Line Railroad. The Raleigh and Augusta Air Line Railroad became part of the Seaboard Air Line Railway (later known as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad) in 1901.
The line from Gibson south to Poston was built by the North and South Carolina Railway, who also took over operations on the Seaboard Air Line's track from Hamlet to Gibson. The North and South Carolina Railway's track from Gibson to Dillon, South Carolina was complete in 1909, and it was extended south to Mullins in 1910 and to the Pee Dee River near Poston in 1911. Also in 1911, the Georgetown and Western Railroad built track from Andrews, South Carolina north to Poston and to the Pee Dee River to connect with the North and South Carolina Railway with bridge over the river being jointly owned by both companies.
In 1914, the North and South Carolina Railway, the Georgetown and Western Railroad, and other nearly railroads were merged into the Carolina, Atlantic and Western Railway. In 1915, the Carolina, Atlantic and Western Railway extended the line from Andrews south to Charleston. By the end of 1915, the Seaboard Air Line acquired the Carolina, Atlantic and Western Railway. The Seaboard Air Line would designate the line as the Andrews Subdivision from Hamlet to Andrews, and the Charleston Subdivision south of Andrews to Charleston.
1915-1917: Extension to Savannah
In the early 1900s, the Seaboard Air Line was looking to improve the efficiency of their network, particularly moving freight. Extending the Charleston Subdivision south to Savannah was quickly seen as an effective way to provide an additional freight route. At this point, the Seaboard had a short spur from Savannah to Hutchinson Island that had been in place since 1899 to serve businesses there. Plans were made for this spur to be used to connect the extension into Savannah. In preparation for the extension, the spur's swing bridge over the Savannah River was rebuilt as a bascule bridge for heavy freight use.
Construction to extend the line from Charleston to Savannah began in 1915. A construction crew began at Charleston and headed south while a second construction crew began at Hutchinson Island and headed north. The extension was completed in 1917 and it began service on December 31 of that year.
