South Carolina Railfan's Handbook

South Carolina Railroad Museum

Located in Rockton, Fairfield County, SC

The Official Railroad Museum of South Carolina offers excursion rides over the restored portion of its 11-mile railroad. The train ride lasts approximately one hour.

Trains departure times are 9:30a, 11:00a, 1:30p, and 3:00p. Consult http://www.scrm.org/ for more details.

For more information, see the museum's web site at http://www.scrm.org/.

Branchville Railroad Museum and Shrine

Located in Branchville, Orangeburg County, SC

Branchville, South Carolina, is home to the world's oldest railroad junction and was on the route of the country's first scheduled passenger train. The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum now serves as a reminder of the years when the railroad industry was a dominant force in the United States. Numerous artifacts are located here, including a model of the “Best Friend” steam locomotive.

Timrod Park and Florence Museum

Located in Florence, Florence County, SC

An old steam locomotive built in 1917 by Vulcan Iron Works sits outside the museum.

Richburg Park

Located in Richburg, Chester County, SC

A saddle-tank steam locomotive sits here in the town of Richburg for visitors to view.

Gyles Park

Located in Aiken, Aiken County, SC

This neighborhood park in downtown Aiken features two railroad dining cars and a caboose, all awaiting restoration.

T. B. Carroll, Jr. Memorial Park

Located in Hardeeville, Jasper County, SC

Right in the center of the town of Hardeeville, SC, just off I-95, sits a 100-year-old wood-fired narrow-gauge steam locomotive! You can actually climb into the cab here and imagine what it was like to work on one of the logging railroads that were so important to the area's history.

Cleveland Park of Spartanburg

Located in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC

A miniature park train runs around the playground area.

West Ashley Greenway

Located in Charleston, Charleston County, SC

This ten-mile long rail-trail is part of the East Coast Greenway. The scenery varies from suburban to rural along the way. The eastern end runs thru residential sections of the West Ashley neighborhood. There are a number of street crossings, but none of them carry much traffic, with the exception of Folly Road. As you get further west, you will see some creeks, ponds, and wetlands, plus an agricultural experiment station.

Most of the trail is unpaved, hard-packed dirt, and there are virtually no hills. Altho it runs parallel to US #17, it is far enough away that you cannot see the highway or hear the traffic noise.

North Augusta Greenway

Located in North Augusta, Aiken County, SC

The city of North Augusta, SC is fortunate to have an outstanding paved trail for walking, hiking, bicycling, and roller-skating. Built along an abandoned railroad track, the North Augusta Greenway offers a wonderful “green tunnel” experience. This rail-trail passes thru the Riverview Park, which is a convenient access point.

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Railroad and Mill Village Heritage Trail

Located in Greenwood, Greenwood County, SC

In the town of Greenwood, South Carolina, you will find a bicycle trail built along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. It begins on Main Street and runs about 2¹/₂ miles out to an old mill village. For most of the trip, you are surrounded by greenery on both sides, and it hardly seems that you are so close to downtown. Altho this trail is located in the foothills region, it is very flat.

Swamp Rabbit Trail

Located in Greenville, Greenville County, SC.

The city of Greenville has a wonderful paved trail running thru the downtown, part of which was built along a railroad corridor. Along the way, the Swamp Rabbit Trail passes thru Cleveland Park, Falls Park, and Linky Stone Park. The rail-trail portion consists of 8 feet of asphalt and 5 feet of specially designed rubberized running trail surface.

Cathedral Aisle Trail

Located in Aiken, Aiken County, SC.

Cathedral Aisle is America's oldest rail-trail. It is now an unpaved hiking trail located in Hitchcock Woods, just outside of Aiken, SC.

Swamp Fox Passage

Located in Berkeley and Charleston counties, SC.

The Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail lies deep in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest. Much of this passage has been built over old logging railroad lines. Altho there are no hills, this trail is unpaved and very rough. It does go by some interesting scenery, however. It is accessible from the Witherbee Ranger Station, Halfway Creek Trail Camp, or the Swamp Fox Parking Area.

Peak-to-Prosperity Rail-Trail

Located in Pomaria, Newberry County, SC

This section of the Palmetto Trail is on an abandoned railroad right-of-way thru the towns of Peak, Pomaria, and Prosperity. The best parking area is in downtown Pomaria.

Florence Rail Trail

Located in Florence, Florence County, SC.

This 1¹/₂-mile long paved trail is a popular place for walkers and runners in a residential neighborhood of Florence.

New River Trail

Located in Bluffton, Beaufort County, SC.

This little-known piece of the East Coast Greenway passes thru some wonderful scenic and historic areas near Bluffton, SC. The south end of this unpaved trail terminates at the New River.

West Ashley Bikeway

Located in Charleston, Charleston County, SC.

Running thru neighborhoods of the West Ashley area is a 4-kilometer long paved bike trail known as the West Ashley Bikeway. While some of the older portions of the bikeway are in very poor condition, the portion that is to the east of Saint Andrews Blvd. is very nice. After leaving the residential area the trail runs as straight as an arrow thru the woods. Heading eastward, you can begin to see glimpses of marshland and the river thru the trees along the sides of the trail, until at last you emerge at a spot with a spectacular view of the Ashley River.

Note: The West Ashley Bikeway is not the same as the West Ashley Greenway. The two trails are nearby, but they do not connect.