Captures the unique operations of several diverse "traditional" small southeastern railroads focusing not only on little-known steam era lines that operated until 1950, but also on stronger roads that survived into the diesel era. Declining local economies and increasing operating costs led to the demise by 1980 of most of the once-independent, locally owned, managed and operated "traditional" shortlines that were abandoned, merged into main lines, or acquired by group owners of small roads.