Railcars rollout from Bowersville

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  • Phil Strine, of Canton, middle, peers out from the operator’s seat anticipating the start of the excursion.
    Phil Strine, of Canton, middle, peers out from the operator’s seat anticipating the start of the excursion.
  • Children who came as spectators to see the railcars wave at a passing car as the journey begins. 
    Children who came as spectators to see the railcars wave at a passing car as the journey begins. 
  • Bill Delmar speaks to the railcar operators in a safety briefing prior to setting off from downtown Bowersville toward Lavonia.
    Bill Delmar speaks to the railcar operators in a safety briefing prior to setting off from downtown Bowersville toward Lavonia.
  • Railcars are operated using a set of levers and buttons usually situated in the center console of the car between two seats.
    Railcars are operated using a set of levers and buttons usually situated in the center console of the car between two seats.
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The North American Railcar Operators Association held an excursion last Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, that began in Bowersville and wound its way along the Hartwell Railroad between Toccoa and Elberton. Railcars are small passenger transports that were once used to get maintenance workers and equipment to places along railroad lines. Today, many people own and operate the cars as a way to preserve the history and to have fun driving them along railroads all over North America. 

Sunshots by Michael Hall