AZL - 903408-1 - Gondola, Steel Coil, NSC 42 Foot - Columbus & Greenville - 4013

Specific Item Information: Removable coil shields

Road Name History: If you've seen a boxcar or gondola with "CAGY" reporting marks, that's Columbus & Greenville. Before 1975, the reporting marks were C&G. In 1894, Southern Railway established the Southern Railway of Mississippi to take over a previous line linking Columbus, Mississippi near the Alabama border with Greenville near the Arkansas border (about 175 miles,) effectively bisecting the Magnolia State. In 1924, Southern dumped the line which was then taken over by local interests under the Columbus & Greenville name. In 1972, C&G was faced with the impending merger of Illinois Central and Gulf Mobile & Ohio. Of C&G's 15 junctions with other lines, 13 were with IC or GM&O. They petitioned to be included in the ICG merger and the government agreed. ICG bought the C&G. The following year, a major washout severed the line. ICG was not enthusiastic about fixing the washout despite local pressure. ICG suggested that local interests buy the line and fix it themselves and in 1975, that's exactly what happened. It was then that the reporting marks were changed to CAGY. In 1985, CAGY purchased some intersecting lines from ICG bringing the total mileage up to 242 (making it a bit larger than Elgin Joliet & Eastern in comparison.)

For years, Columbus & Greenville had been a stronghold for Baldwin diesels with EMD’s and even a Whitcomb switcher in supporting roles. Today, the Baldwins are long gone, replaced by secondhand EMD’s.

Brand/Importer Information: AZL is the leader in North American Z scale locomotives and rolling stock. Since 2000, AZL has released a vast variety of freight, passenger and locomotives. AZL continues to push the boundaries of Z scale with amazing details and incredible performance. No matter if you are looking to run steam, or the most modern diesels, AZL has something for you.