Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

A Monte Sano News Article--1890's
Newspapers, magazines, etc.--Transportation; Railroads--Alabama; Huntsville, Monte Sano--19th century
The Monte Sano Railway Dummy Line was incorporated January 17, 1886 by the North Alabama Improvement Company. The Dummy Line began its route at the Huntsville Opera House on Jefferson Street. Construction of the “Dummy Line” up Monte Sano...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Another Photo Of Button Hole Bend
Photography; Landscapes and scenery; Transportation; Railroads; Alabama; Huntsville, Monte Sano; 19th century
This photo looks down over the “Button Hole”. From outside the curve, one may see how the roadbed doubles back through a reverse loop after spanning two trestles over the creek hollow. Constructing a railroad up a mountain requires some...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Button Hole Bend Contruction
Photography; Landscapes and scenery; Transportation; Railroads; Alabama; Huntsville; Monte Sano; 19th century
Viewed from within the upper reaches of the “Button Hole” curve, the elevation changes that occurred along the roadbed can be noted with the tracks descending to the right in the picture.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Head Of Grand Canyon
Photography; Landscapes and scenery; Transportation; Railroads; laborers; working men; Alabama; Huntsville; Monte Sano; 19th century
The smaller wooden deck pile trestle which was required as the tracks spanned the creek hollow. Workers constructed a temporary walkway along the side of the open deck where the tracks were laid.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Hotel Monte Sano
Photography; Landscapes and scenery; Buildings, structures, etc.; hotels; Monte Sano Hotel; Transportation; Railroads; Alabama; Huntsville; Monte Sano; 19th century
Final destination for the railway up at the mountain top was the Monte Sano Hotel which featured breathtaking views of the City of Huntsville found below. The Monte Sano line had three passenger cars pulled by a 2 ton Baldwin engine. The three...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Original Photographs of Monte Sano Railroad
The route that was chosen consisted of borrowing a set of trolley line rails through the heart of many downtown city streets. Next, the first slope to be encountered occurred at the foot of a ridge which runs out away from the mountain. From here,...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Photo Of Train Moving Down The Tracks
Heading over and across Tollgate Road, the original railroad bed now becomes just a trail as it heads back into the upper depths of the Fagan Hollow. This route was chosen given that it benefits from following the existing topography of the...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

RattleSnake Spring
The largest rock cut was found directly above the Button Hole where limestone had to be blasted and hauled away to be used for fill along the approaches to the larger trestle.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Steam Shovel Moving Rock
A steam powered shovel was brought in to assist crews with the removal and transport of loose soil and larger rocks that resulted from blasting for the rock cut.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Surveyors On Monte Sano
A survey crew prepares to check the elevation of the graded roadbed as it passes through the deepest cut. Soon, the wooden crossties and rails will be brought in for the tracklaying.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Tracks Ascending Monte Sano
Just up past the Button Hole and the large rock cut, the roadbed featured several curves while maintaining a steady 1% to 2% grade up the remainder of the mountainside.
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Tracks Moving Toward Monte Sano
View along the tracks heading back into the hollow from Tollgate Road. This photograph shows one of the few stretches of road where the tracks remained somewhat straight and curve-free. The trip from town to the Monte Sano Hotel was a winding 7 ½...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Tresel On Monte Sano Railroad
The powerful locomotive engine had no problem maneuvering the treacherous tracks. The engine, a 2 ton Baldwin, was made by the celebrated Baldwin Works of New Jersey and was the second largest one ever turned out with a speed capacity of 30 miles...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Workers including Children
As the roadbed continued up across the large trestle found at the Button Hole, a long curve was discovered as the tracks proceeded to be built through the largest rock cut. Next came a second smaller wooden open-deck pile trestle located upstream...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

Workers Removing Rock
Workers take a well-deserved break one afternoon at the large rock cut found just up above the Button Hole. Driving out along today’s Bankhead Parkway, the Huntsville Land Trust has a recreational area with parking available located about ½ way...
Monte Sano Railway – The Dummy Line

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