THE LOCOMOTIVES OF THE CHATTOOGA AND CHICKAMAUGA RAILWAY ARE PRETTY MUCH "STRANDED" AT THEIR HOME-OFFICE IN LAFAYETTE. THE RAIL LINE WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED BY THE FLOODING OF THE SEPT. 18th WEEKEND.  RANDALL MAGNUSSON OF THE C & C SAID THE WASHED OUT AND DAMAGED TRACK MEASURES A TOTAL OF SEVERAL THOUSAND FEET IN MANY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, FROM TRION TO THE TOP OF MISSIONARY RIDGE.

THE TRACKAGE IS OWNED BY THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND LEASED TO THE C & C RAILROAD.  MAGNUSSON SAID HE HAS TRIED TO CONTACT A NUMBER OF SOURCES TO SEE ABOUT REPAIRS… BUT NO ONE FROM THE STATE HAS RESPONDED AS YET.  IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF FREIGHT TRAFFIC… SEVERAL OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILWAY MUSEUM’S FALL PASSENGER SPECIALS WILL ALSO BE IMPACTED.  THE FIRST TRIP FROM CHATTANOOGA TO SUMMERVILLE OVER THE LINE WAS CANCELLED LAST WEEKEND.