History of the Century Lake Railroad Bridge
DETAILS
Historical marker: no marker
Location: County Road 4706 near Century Lake
CLAIMS OF HAUNTINGS
Some say that a phantom engine still prowls in the darkness at Century Lake Railroad.
In 1954, the city of Sulphur Springs annexed the Century Lake property, much as it annexed the Thermo Mine property in 2019. The Blacklands rail line intersects County Road 4706 near Century Lake, and residents claim the ghost of a long-forgotten locomotive still runs the tracks.
Residents claim that if one parks a vehicle across the tracks at dusk, the ghost train will push the vehicle off course as it rolls through, making its endless passage back and forth in the world of the beyond.
“If you want to test it, you can put chalk on your back tire,” said one resident. “When the train comes and pushes your car or truck, the chalk will come off.”
Mayor and local historian John Sellers says he has also heard that in the dark of night, some have said they’ve seen the apparition of the engine’s headlamp. But upon approaching, no train was there.
During 2020, new owners Freedom Rail have completely rehabilitated the Century Lake Bridge, making it much less habitable for spirits and spookies. In November 2020, Freedom Rail did an overhaul of the haunted brakeman’s territory. Dead and rotting trees, overgrown brush and flood conditions due to silt buildup were cleared away from the bridge, according to Freedom Rail’s Jeff Lederer. Eighteen columns and braces were reinforced, and workers even hauled away a junk refrigerator.
Rail staff made no mention of encountering the phantom conductor or his otherworldly engine.
“Does the brakeman ghost still work the tracks?” wondered resident Bobby Hollis on social media. “Can you still see him swing his lantern three times? Or has the trees grown up too much?”
Folks admitted they haven’t checked since high school. While the safety of the bridge might not matter to ethereal beings such as the brakeman, it’s done wonders for the rail line’s commerce.
By Taylor Nye. Research by John Sellers
