First Sunday Lecture Series: The Western & Atlantic Railroad

Thank you, Todd DeFeo, for presenting your lecture this afternoon on the Western & Atlantic Railroad.  

Mr. DeFeo discussed the rich history of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, its impact on surrounding communities, including Smyrna, and his recently published book.

The State of Georgia chartered the Western & Atlantic Railroad in 1836. The railroad aided in the development and growth of many communities between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee. In constructing the railroad, workers created a winding route that cut its way across the North Georgia landscape. 

During the Civil War, both armies used this vital artery, and it was the setting for one of the war’s most iconic events, the Great Locomotive Chase. The state still owns the Western & Atlantic and has leased it since 1870.

Speaker: Todd DeFeo, author of Western & Atlantic Railroad

Smyrna resident Todd DeFeo has studied railroads since growing up alongside the Northeast Corridor line in New Jersey. He is the editor of Railfanning.org and founder of The DeFeo Groupe. Today, he lives near the historic Western & Atlantic. The images that help make up the visual history in this book come from the many libraries and museums dedicated to preserving the Western & Atlantic’s history, the archives of Railfanning.org, and the author’s collection.

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library.