The first regularly scheduled passenger service began in 1830 on the Carolina Canel and Railroad Co. Today, Norfolk Southern services 783 miles of the states 2283 route miles.
South Carolina is served by Amtrak's Crescent, the Silver Star, the Silver Meteor, the "Palmetto and the Auto Train.
One hour scenic train rides are available at the South Carolina Railroad Museum.
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The "Best Friend of Charleston," temporarily on loan to Norfolk Southern for display in their Atlanta GA office building, is a full-sized replica of the 1830 train. The steam engine was constructed from the original plans in 1928 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the "South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company." Southern Railway operated this replica on excursions across the USA. The special railroad cars designed to carry the train between excursions are presently on display at the South Carolina Railroad Museum. The "Best Friend" was donated to the City of Charleston by Norfolk Southern in 1993.
The Best Friend of Charleston Railway Museum contains artifacts, videos and Lionel's limited edition operating model of the Best Friend train.
"Best Friend of Charleston" -- a historic re-creation of the first steam railroad locomotive built entirely in the United States.
Railroad Historical Center display's include #19, a 2-8-2 Mikado steam engine along with a sleeper,a dinning car, the "Carolina" office car and a caboose. Admission for the center is free. Directions.
The highlight of the Lanchester & Chester Railway museum is a scale model train replica of the original 29-mile route of the L & C. Exhibitions include hundreds of photographs depicting the railroad from the beginning to the present, railroad memorabilia, and information on the shortlines of the Palmetto state that have disappeared, and other relative artifacts. The L&C Railway offers luxury railcars for private charter to corporations and individuals. Plan your next business trip, employee award, or vacation aboard a rolling 1st Class Hotel.
The South Carolina Railroad museum has a large collection of railroad equipment. This equipment has been acquired over the past 17 years from various railroads, industries, historical groups and governmental agencies by way of donation and/or purchase. Round trip excursion train rides on the museums 10 miles of track last about 1 hour. Directions.
