N scale Freelanced Alabama Gulf model Railroad

Alabama Gulf Railway - History.

Creation: 1983 to 1989 -

The ALABAMA GULF RAILWAY was created in 1983 from a combination of abondoned rails lines and some spin off rail lines from SCL, L&N and Southern. The lines were in poor condition. A private group of investors, GULF SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES, bought the lines and with some goverment loans a track rehab project begin. The assembled track, plus some trackage rights gave the ALGF two north south Main lines, Mobile north to Reform, AL, where the line meets the east -west main running from Columbus, MS to Eufaula, AL. The other north-south main runs from Pensacola north to Birmingham, crossing the east-west main at Maplesville. Trackage agreements with the Southern and with SCL provide two routes into Jacksonville, FL and the Atlantic coast shipping port (Jaxport). During the first five years, management worked hard on track rehabilitation and establishing customers. Hard work by the sales staff and an association with a develpment group helped to increase car loadings and provide the ALGF with a solid base of on line customers. TOFC service was offered and had several regular shippers on the Birmingham to Jax. 'ATLANTICFLIER' route. Investors were satisfied that the young railroad was on the right track, but management felt additional capital was needed for more trackwork, so that track speeds and service times could be increased and for an infusion to the raggad power and freight car fleet. The private investors, while waiting for some return on their investments, were tapped out. A new source of funding had to be found.

A Southern Belle: 1989-1999

The search for additional investors proved sucessful, when in 1989 KCSI Corp. expressed an interest in ownership and asked to begin talks with Alabama Gulf management on how Kansas City Southern Rwy could further their relationship with ALGF. After four months of discussions, the ALGF management and the GULF SOUTHERN IND. investors accepted an offer from KCSI to become a partner with 35% ownership in the ALGF. Along with the 35% ownership, came much experience and advice from KCS.

The power fleet experienced a rebuild program and received a new Company paint scheme that kept the Red of ALGF and added the KCS yellow sill and nose stripes (received from KCS). The mid-nineties found KCS agreessively persuing expansion. KCS was pushing their Mexican connections in a effort to compete with the larger mergers happening around them. The Alabama Gulf's Atlantic coast and Gulf ports ascess was growing more important as KCS pushed to compete. Intermodal express service was established between Mobile and Kansas City and Jacksonville to Kansas City / St. Louis and found immediate success as an alternate to the crowded existing rail routes. The ALGF / KCS team had a niche. The 'Southwind' Container service route was established between Mobile and Kansas City, and the 'Atlanticflier' TOFC service had an established service lane from Jacksonville to the midwest. Business during this period increased at a steady pace.

Turn of the Century - 2000 - 2006

The Intermodal and container services units continued to grow, as did all commodity loadings. The Alabama Gulf is experienceing good relations with the other regional railroads and interchange partners. The country's economy is providing much business. The Alabama Gulf continues to operate as an independant RR, influenced by the KCS.

2003 - 'QUICKSILVER' OPTIMA roadrailer service extends to include the ALGF. ALGF handles a Jacksonville to Birmingham route in cooperation with the Georgia Road.

2004 - Greenlight Intermodal Services signs on for TOFC service from Jacksonville to Kansas City and Jax. to St. Louis, Service partners are: JB&T, ALGF, GARD & KCS.

2006 - In December the ALGF reaches an agreement with FGCI to aquire it's intermodal business unit within the state of Florida. The unit is renamed FGC Intermodal. ALGF adds additionl ports to it's Florida service offerings.