Wilmington, Chadbourn and Conway Railroad
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Predecessor | Chadbourn Lumber Company (builder) |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Defunct | 1895 |
| Successor | Wilmington and Conway Railroad |
| Headquarters | Chadbourn, North Carolina , United States |
Area served | Southeastern United States |
The Wilmington, Chadbourn and Conway Railroad was a railroad in the Southeastern United States that operated near the end of the 19th century, running between Chadbourn, North Carolina and Conway, South Carolina.
History
Originally constructed by the Chadbourn Lumber Company based in Chadbourn, North Carolina for the purpose of hauling timber, this rail line linked with the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad at Chadbourn. The route crossed into North Carolina at Tabor City, North Carolina, proceeded southward through Loris, South Carolina, and concluded at the Waccamaw River in Conway.
In 1895, the railroad was sold due to foreclosure and subsequently renamed the Wilmington and Conway Railroad. A year later, ownership passed to the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad, which was the successor entity to the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad.
By 1898, control shifted to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The Atlantic Coast Line expanded its network in 1912 by acquiring the Conway Seashore Railroad, extending service from Conway to Myrtle Beach, thereby incorporating these tracks into its Myrtle Beach Branch.
The Atlantic Coast Line merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad in 1967, forming the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. Later, in 1980, its parent company combined with the Chessie System, creating the CSX Corporation. Initially managed as separate systems under CSX, they were unified into CSX Transportation in 1986.
Current operation
Today, this original rail corridor continues in use and is operated by the R.J. Corman Railroad Group.