Western Carolina

Company History: Organized in 2003, the Western Carolina Railway Service Corporation is a privately-held South Carolina corporation created for the purpose of preserving, restoring, and revitalizing shortline rail service in South Carolina and the surrounding region. The corporation created and remains a parent company to two nationally-recognized shortlines in western region of the Palmetto State: the 13-mile Aiken Railway, based in Aiken; and the 13-mile Greenville & Western Railway Company, based in Belton. In addition, the company offers terminal switching services, railroad consulting services, and is a leader in area industrial real estate development. The corporation is privately held and run by Steven and Cheryl Hawkins, and is headquartered in the historic Piedmont & Northern depot in downtown Greer, South Carolina.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.