The Innovative Piggyback Service

In 1959, Seaboard Air Line Railroad launched its high-speed piggyback service, which is an efficient method of transporting goods by placing one transport unit atop another. This specialized form of intermodal transport became notable for its trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) service, particularly exemplified by the Razorback train TT#23, which operated from Kearny, New Jersey, to Hialeah Yard in Miami. This remarkable journey spanned over 1,000 miles and was completed in under 30 hours. You can witness this impressive train in action in the video below.

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad Free Traveling Library System

Sarah Harper Heard, an influential educator and activist from Georgia, played a pivotal role in establishing the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Free Traveling Library System. After meeting with the railroad’s vice president, Everett St. John, she convinced him to transport books to various railroad stops. This initiative led to the creation of “S.A.L. Magundi Clubs.” St. John reached out to Andrew Carnegie, who generously donated $1,000 to support this noble cause.

The library system officially commenced in 1898, largely due to Carnegie's support, and was sometimes referred to as the “Andrew Carnegie Free Traveling Library.” Heard’s efforts extended beyond just securing funds; she actively sought donations from publishing houses and recruited librarians across six states, leading to a substantial collection of resources.

By the turn of the century, the Seaboard library system had amassed over 2,500 books and was able to donate entire libraries to schools. By 1910, books were circulated from Rose Hill to 35 community libraries and 150 school libraries. The collection grew to include 18,000 books and 38,000 magazines by 1912, featuring several publications from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Heard's commitment to literacy and education was recognized when the traveling library system received a gold medal at the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, a world fair celebrating the first permanent English settlement in the United States.

The Legacy of the Library System

Heard passed away in 1919, but her legacy continued through her daughter Susan, who managed the library until her own death in 1934. The Seaboard continued to provide books to small towns in need until 1955, leaving behind a significant impact on literacy across the Southeast. The library system never imposed fees for late or lost books, and its collection was freely donated to schools throughout Georgia.

For more insights into the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL), please refer to the following resources:

• Railways portal
• List of Seaboard Air Line Railroad precursors
• List of railroads of the Confederate States of America
• Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
• Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
• Orange Blossom Special
• Silver Meteor
• Silver Star (Amtrak train)
• Silver Comet (train)
• Gulf Wind

Thank you for engaging with this series on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. Your feedback and thoughts are welcomed, and I sincerely hope that the articles have enriched your understanding.

If you found this article valuable, please consider expressing your support by clapping for it, following my work, and joining me on my writing journey on Medium. Your engagement inspires me to continue sharing knowledge and stories.

Please join my email list to receive notifications on new posts. Your support is instrumental in my success as a writer. Thank you once again for your time and interest.