HISTORY
Mannish descendants of the storied inhabitants of Middle Earth founded the AT&SF in the late Fifth Age (approximately 1880 A.D.). Early records of the railroad show that it was incorporated as a bulk carrier for the
coal and iron of Angmar
to the ports at Gondor. The founders proposed to replace the slow, seasonally dependent barge traffic. The railroad’s main line follows the early horse and cart routes until it reaches the Gap of Rohan. At that point, it departs from the cart routes because of repeated and chronic flooding in the marshy area west and south of the Gap. The far more lucrative population centers in Rohan may have also contributed to the diversion.
In its original incarnation, the railroad ran from the mines of Angmar to a location near Sarn Ford, where cargo was offloaded onto barges for the trip downriver to the harbors of Gondor. This was a profitable short run, but there was little return traffic, as the population to the north was sparse, mostly self-sufficient farmers and independent miners. Of course, there was Bree,
In VI 4 (approximately 1948 A.D.), the railroad purchased the assets of the Gondor & Rohan RR, over whose tracks it already had secured running rights. This purchase extended the railroad all the way to the harbors of Gondor. With a completed link to the harbors and their traffic, the future of the railroad was secure. Traffic grew steadily, as did the population and economy of the region the railroads served. In fact, local traffic within the Central Division now accounts for nearly forty percent of the railroad’s business. The railroad does continue to provide passenger service to its eponymous endpoint at Sarn Ford, although that branch is no longer part of the main line. A few remnants of the original barge offloading area are still visible at the outskirts of Sarn Ford. One ramp, serving a small, isolated community, is still in occasional use.
As the railroad began to flourish, it adopted the practices of its American namesake and many of its locomotives bear an uncanny resemblance to those of our American cousin. Imitation being the sincerest of flattery, even the rulebook and logo were cadged from the US. Many of the freight cars bear the livery of American railroads, copied from the ORER and the Car Builders’ Cyclopedia. Local rules still permit billboard freight cars, so their appearance is far more prevalent than on American roads. After being an all-steam railroad for seventy-five years, the railroad has recently begun to experiment with small diesels. The Brotherhood of Dragon Managers opposes the move, saying, “If it don’t burn coal, it’s just a powered boxcar!”
At Bree, now a major industrial area on the main line, the railroad exchanges freight and passengers with the old Buckland Elevated Electric Railway, known commonly by its initials as the “BEER line.” There is no interchange traffic, as the BEER uses antique equipment on its captive rails. All freight is unloaded at the Bree freight house. The BEER also serves the former Elven stronghold at Rivendell, now a tourist resort and health spa.
The line to Osgiliath is all that remains of a former line running into Mordor, all but abandoned by its owners in the last days of the Fifth Age. The original line quarried stone from the mountains and pumice from the sides of Mount Doom, but there was little market for either, beyond souvenirs. There are rumors that bands of Orcs still roam the area and traffic is limited to daylight hours. Although the Mordor and Osgiliath RR nominally own the tracks, trains of the AT&SF frequently service the line.
Edoras, the capital of Rohan,
has maintained its position as the premier horse and cattle production center in Middle Earth. Passengers can see the free-roaming herds from the observation car of the crack passenger express, the White Wizard. In addition, Edoras is also home to a large brewery complex.
The former stronghold at Helm’s Deep is now a military stores warehouse complex and public access is not permitted.
Although the Ents have left Middle Earth, their influence is still strong due to the resonance of myth., legend, and superstition. Those influences (and the law bearing their name) prohibit the railroad from using lumber or other wood products for any construction other than ties, culled from deadfall. Thus, early bridges are all stone, while the newer construction features steel. Fortunately, the railroad is predominantly grade-free and this is not a major consideration. Note also that all “wood” sided buildings and cars are constructed from synthetic materials or treated to look like wood.
Ruins of some of the structures from Middle Earth’s earlier, less pacific times remain along the right of way. Passengers may see and even visit Carn Dûm, Isengard and the restored Orthanc, and Edoras Hall. Unfortunately, the Prancing Pony at Bree was demolished long ago, although there is a re-creation of the original near its former site. At the end of the Osgiliath line, there is a foot trail leading onto Mordor along the former right of way. This is for the hardy (or perhaps foolhardy) only, as it is strewn with rubble, badly overgrown, and occasionally subject to predation by bandits.
Conductors will point these sights out to tourist passengers if asked. Special excursions run to some of these sites seasonally.