Kannapolis-in Transition
The "Old" Century-1900s
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Although the focus of this piece is the railroad area of Kannapolis, a brief overview is also included in reference to the mill and other history. One fact that would be surprising to most not familiar with the city is its 1984 incorporation date. A community of this size would have been presumed to have had local government and elected officials in place prior to that date. In contrast, a fact that is well known about the city is that it is the hometown of the late Dale Earnhardt thereby forever linking it with NASCAR history.
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Kannapolis was symbolic of a region defined and dominated by the textile industry. All facets of life revolved around the presence of Cannon Mills and subsequent ownership from the early 20th century until it ceased operations in 2003. Generations of Rowan and Cabarrus County residents worked at this complex and so profound was its existence that if one did not work there, then certainly another family member or friend did. It was an era when jobs were plentiful and unlike today, enabled one who chose not or could not receive a college education to earn a respectable wage based on the prevailing costs of living. Moreover, the products were American made and the quality renowned nationally. For a more detailed history and timeline about Cannon Mills, the information can be found by reading the imbedded link Textile History.org
Trackside in the Towel City circa 1930. The only building visible in this scene still in existence today is the domed First Baptist Church in the distance. The dome was replaced with a steeple during the 1950s. Image courtesy Kannapolis History Associates
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The Kannapolis Southern Railway passenger station that predated the colonial brick structure opposite Cannon Mills. A standard but tasteful design on this long vanquished structure. Circa 1930s. Image courtesy Kannapolis History Associates
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An aerial view of Kannapolis taken when Cannon Mills was in full bloom. Although the image is undated, it appears to be circa 1940s. In addition to the mill, there are other streetscapes in this scene that have since vanished into history. A visible landmark still in place today is the First Baptist Church right of center. Image courtesy of Kannapolis History Associates.
My exposure to Kannapolis originated during the late 1980s on trips to it and Concord. I did not photograph the railroad during this era although I recall seeing trains with some locomotives still painted in Southern Railway and occasional Norfolk and Western colors. It was not until the mid-1990s after I had moved to Kannapolis that I began to take random trackside shots along with video. With the onset of the new century and digital photography, the volume of my photographs increased.
A view of Plant 1 at the main complex circa 1950s. Image courtesy of Kannapolis History Associates
The 1907 railroad station looking from South Ridge Avenue and the 1st Avenue grade crossing as it was in 1925. This structure would serve passengers for another fourteen years until the completion of the brick structure opposite the mill on North Main Street in 1939. Image courtesy of Kannapolis History Associates
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Plant 4 was located south of the main complex. This view is of the building with windows circa 1970s. Image courtesy of Kannapolis History Associates
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A small community south of the center of Kannapolis was called Glass. Very little remains to distinguish this area separate from Kannapolis as it is now within the corporation limits of town. At right is a photo of the small railroad stop as it was in 1899. Norfolk Southern still uses a reference to Glass--- the mainline signal bridge between present day Rogers Lake Road and Winecoff Road grade crossings is designated as "Glass". Image courtesy of Kannapolis History Associates
Cannon Mills was a large shipper for the Southern Railway as could be expected. Carloads of coal and boxcars laden with raw materials used for the making of finished textiles made Kannapolis a prominent location along the railroad. Both Plant #1 and Plant #4 had rail spurs that kept local trains busy. The spur to Plant #1 remained active through the final years of operation---this track diverged from the main line directly north of the 1939 depot and crossed North Main Street where it entered through a gate at the main plant. Rail activity at Plant #4 had ceased years earlier but evidence of the tracks crossing Main Street remained until the building was demolished during the early 2000s.
Although dominated by Cannon Mills, there were other rail customers scattered along the main line through Kannapolis. In fact, there was enough traffic within the town to justify dedicated Spencer-Kannapolis trains during the peak years of operation. Remnants of these spurs can be seen at various locations in town.
Although dominated by Cannon Mills, there were other rail customers scattered along the main line through Kannapolis. In fact, there was enough traffic within the town to justify dedicated Spencer-Kannapolis trains during the peak years of operation. Remnants of these spurs can be seen at various locations in town.
The curious are scattered about near the old Kannapolis station to get a glimpse of the N&W #611 on a stop during a 1991 fall excursion. Several had to climb on a gondola---yes, I was guilty, too---to get a shot of the stop. On the right a northbound train waits until the excursion departs. A good number of cars parked here with most belonging to employees that worked at the mill which is now relegated to the pages of Kannapolis history. Dan Robie 1991
At the turn of the century, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) removed three grade crossings within the city limits of Kannapolis. These closings were part of an ongoing project to improve the high speed rail corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte that included track and safety enhanced improvements. Although the three grade crossings removed in Kannapolis were under the pretense of safety, traffic patterns were affected. This NCDOT project continues through the present day.
The grade crossing at East C Street prior to its closure. This eliminated direct access to the older Middle School from Main Street. Dan Robie 2000
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The infamous Ebenezer Road grade crossing prior to its closure. Of the three closings, this one made the most sense. Situated in a blind curve, it was the scene of train-vehicle accidents for many years. Added to this is that it was often blocked by northbound trains waiting for southbounds to pass. Dan Robie 2000
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Amtrak #74 stopped at the old Kannapolis depot in a busy rail scene. A northbound train waits for #74 to depart and clear and there are a number of cars on the sidings. The NCDOT used two GP40-2s for Amtrak # 73 and #74 during this era lasting into the early 2000s. Dan Robie 1997
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Amtrak #79 departing Kannapolis with P42DC #828 on the lead. These locomotives were new on the scene in what was designated as the Genesis series. Dan Robie 1998
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Early 2000s- Landscape With Changing Figures
This view looks from South Ridge Avenue across the tracks to Southern Avenue before the new station was built. The stone house is visible in its original location before relocation. Approaching train is NS 172. Dan Robie 2002
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The north end of Southern Avenue in November 2002. Pillowtex is visible at left through the trees and the old station is distant at the end of the street. Work was taking place at this time to rebuild Kannapolis yard track. Dan Robie 2002
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Amtrak #74 makes a stop at the old station in May 2002. The F59PHI locomotives were new NCDOT power and began to supplant the GP40P-2s in daily service. Dan Robie 2002
By the year 2000, change was definitely in the air at Kannapolis. The textile industry was battling for its existence in a political economy that had stacked the deck firmly against it. The Pillowtex (former Cannon /Fieldcrest Cannon) mill was facing difficult times in regards to production and labor agreements and I remember commenting that the huge plant, the economic foundation of Kannapolis for generations, was on borrowed time. When it closed its doors for the final time on July 31, 2003, it was a stunning blow to the area. A decade later, Kannapolis still feels the effects from the loss of jobs and economic impact. Although the building of the Research Campus has been touted as the catalyst for a renaissance, progress has been slow and the community as of this date has yet to reap the benefits on a large scale.
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On May 15, 2002 NS P41 was shoving a cut of cars on the Rowan track when a tank car derailed causing a chain reaction. Several cars left the rails and the area was sealed off including the evacuation of homes adjacent to the track. A contractor with cranes was called in to re-rail the cars. Dan Robie 2002
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A silent mill looms in the background as a MOW train is tied down on the siding. Dan Robie 2004
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Amtrak #74 runs north past the now closed mill. Dan Robie 2004
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The pond was synonymous with the mill. Incredibly, the main building of the Research Campus now resides on this spot. Dan Robie 2002
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Amtrak #73 is departing the Kannapolis station as NS P41 works in the background. Virtually all in this scene is vanquished today. Dan Robie 2003
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GP60s were the standard power on intermodal trains during the early 2000s. A trio of them lead NS 213 through North Kannapolis in this image. Dan Robie 2004
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A Wisconsin Central SD45 idles as NS P41 power with the old depot and mill in the background. Dan Robie 2004
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Transformation
The high and low of it. It is July 2006 and the demolition of the mill is all but complete except for what appears in this split image. NS high hood SD40-2 #3282 and low hood SD40-2 #6133 share the scene with the vanishing symbol of Kannapolis. By mid-August, this too would be gone. Dan Robie 2006
At trackside, the early 2000s were a time of transformation as old was replaced with new. Foremost, of course, was the demolition of the mill in 2006 and the subsequent emergence of the North Carolina Research Campus. The 1939 depot was closed as a passenger station with its sole remaining purpose as a storage building for Norfolk Southern. A new passenger station was constructed at the south end of Southern Avenue. The traditional Southern Railway signal bridges were replaced with a generic modern style that has become standard industry wide. Finally, NS P41, the local train that turned at Kannapolis for years, was reassigned as a Charlotte turn in 2008 resulting in empty and rusting sidings at North Kannapolis.
As for the trains themselves, this was a colorful era on the Norfolk Southern mainline. Foreign power ---locomotives owned by other railroads and leasers---were a common sight on manifest and intermodal trains. The variety of power was diverse as virtually all types of locomotives in use today could be seen. Inasmuch, this was my heyday for photography in Kannapolis during the period from 2004-2008.
As for the trains themselves, this was a colorful era on the Norfolk Southern mainline. Foreign power ---locomotives owned by other railroads and leasers---were a common sight on manifest and intermodal trains. The variety of power was diverse as virtually all types of locomotives in use today could be seen. Inasmuch, this was my heyday for photography in Kannapolis during the period from 2004-2008.
It is the early morning of May 13, 2006 and the balloon festival is underway. Adding color is the trio of former Conrail SD50s on NS P40 that has laid over at the old Kannapolis depot this day. Dan Robie 2006
NS 337 runs southbound beneath the Southern Railway signal bridge at North Kannapolis with NS GP38AC #4100 leading a gaggle of other units. This signal bridge no longer exists. Dan Robie 2005
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A TFM SD70MAC leads NS 154 north through town past the frame of the North Carolina Research Campus under construction. Dan Robie 2006
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NS 213 south past the 1st Avenue crossing. The new campus dome under construction looms in the distance. Dan Robie 2006
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Creating more drama than detail is NS 338 running north at dusk past the lit skeleton of the Research Campus. Dan Robie 2006
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Before...
A northbound view from South Ridge Avenue taken opposite of the new passenger station under construction. The mill smokestacks loom in the distance and the buildings on the east side of Main Street are still extant. Dan Robie 2004
...After
From almost the same vantage point as above and six years later, the changes are dramatic. The mill has been replaced with the Research Campus, parking building, and generator station. The buildings on Main Street are gone and a departure signal for Amtrak trains has been added. Dan Robie 2010
NS P41
For many years, Kannapolis was the home base for Norfolk Southern P41. This train switched the Kannapolis area and its territory extended from the boundary north at Landis southward to Harrisburg. It operated five days a week and the power remained at the old depot on weekends. Crews would report in the morning and assemble cars left the previous night by NS P40, a Gastonia- Spencer train, for switching at the various industries along the route. These cars were spotted on what was called the Rowan Track, a long siding extending from the depot area into North Kannapolis. The most common locomotive assigned to P41 was an SD40-2 although other classes of power would occasionally take a turn.
The death knell for P41 assigned at Kannapolis began with the closing of the mill. With only one remaining rail shipper left in town, that it still operated out of Kannapolis for another five years was somewhat astounding. Eventually, NS reassigned P41 to operate out of Charlotte in 2008 to serve the Harrisburg area which it continues to this day. The train still makes the trek north to its former home base to switch at North Kannapolis. Realistically, the reassignment to Charlotte made operational sense but the train is missed by those who fondly remember the morning rail activity in Kannapolis. Today, the railscape in town is barren but for the passing of main line trains.
The death knell for P41 assigned at Kannapolis began with the closing of the mill. With only one remaining rail shipper left in town, that it still operated out of Kannapolis for another five years was somewhat astounding. Eventually, NS reassigned P41 to operate out of Charlotte in 2008 to serve the Harrisburg area which it continues to this day. The train still makes the trek north to its former home base to switch at North Kannapolis. Realistically, the reassignment to Charlotte made operational sense but the train is missed by those who fondly remember the morning rail activity in Kannapolis. Today, the railscape in town is barren but for the passing of main line trains.
Exhaust bellows skyward from NS SD40-2 #6115 due to a cold start. The temperature had unexpectedly dropped and during cold weather, locomotives often are left to idle to keep their innards warm. This day the P41 crew had to warm the locomotive up prior to beginning the workday. Dan Robie 2006
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NS P41 in busier days. A number of cars to move on this rainy morning including hoppers of coal for the still open mill. Dan Robie 2002
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Kannapolis was no longer home when this image was made of P41 switching at North Kannapolis. Its back to Harrisburg and Charlotte after this move was completed. Dan Robie 2009
The New Station
This autumn 2006 view captures the 1939 passenger station and NS P41 that operated out of Kannapolis. Amtrak had discontinued using the building once the new station was complete. The long term fate of this building is uncertain as it is only used by NS now for storage.
The new Kannapolis Amtrak station was built with the same architecture (Colonial Revival) as the inner town district known as The Village. It also is a complementary structure in design to the new Research Campus. As of this date, six of the eight Amtrak/NC DOT trains stop here daily with three in each direction. The pair of long distance Crescent Limited pass through Kannapolis during the night but neither stop. The building officially opened for passenger service in December 2004. A platform canopy was added to the structure in 2013.
This modular structure served as an interim passenger station after the closing of the 1939 depot and during construction of the new station. Dan Robie 2004
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The new Kannapolis depot under construction in early 2004. The grading is complete and the erection of the steel frame is underway. Dan Robie 2004
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It is a foggy morning as the new station awaits the arrival of Amtrak #80 from Charlotte. Looks like there is at least one person ready to board the train. Dan Robie 2008
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Kannapolis Views
Throughout the past decade I have taken literally hundreds of photographs of trains at various locations in Kannapolis. Certainly too many to include them all here but below will be several from selected locations within the city.
The sleek and elegant NS Executive train runs north through town after a weekend layover at the Masters Golf Tournament in Georgia. One of the most sought after trains for rail photographers. Dan Robie 2012
NS 214 runs through the morning light at North Kannapolis. The boxcar is on the Rowan Track. Dan Robie 2006
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Looking like the Arctic, NS 172 moves north against a backdrop of the Research Campus and frigidity. Definitely as cold as it looks. Dan Robie 2010
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Its a new generation. NS M54 passes beneath the new signal bridge at Kannapolis with new BNSF SD70ACe #9193 in the lead. Dan Robie 2009
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NS P40 is tied down by the campus parking lot at Milepost 349 on the Washington-Atlanta main line. The silver maple tree has been a long time fixture. Dan Robie 2008
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A Herzog ballast train runs south towards Charlotte. The Glass signal bridge is in the distance. Dan Robie 2007
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It's July 4 and appropriate that Union Pacific power with American flags leads NS 213 this day. The location is south of the Glass signal. Dan Robie 2010
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The morning snow is falling as Amtrak #80 passes the new signals at North Kannapolis. Next stop is Salisbury among many until it finally terminates at New York City. Dan Robie 2007
Train Watching
For any readers not familiar, the Norfolk Southern Atlanta-Washington main line passes through town with an (as of 2010) average of 25-30 trains per day. The trains are varied as this includes intermodal, manifest, coal, and bulk traffic. Eight Amtrak trains also traverse the route. Best of all, Kannapolis is an exception to the established urban norm in that it possesses good neighborhoods adjacent to the railroad. There are several locations within the city limits that offer excellent viewing without trespassing.
Credits
Kannapolis History Associates
Matt Robie
Textile History.org