Louisville & Nashville RR tracks – Southwest Alabama

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The ghost of a railroad bandit named “Railroad Bill” is said to haunt the pine woods along the railroad track running near the towns of Piney Grove, Elewy, and Nymph. Railroad Bill was said to be a vagrant that hopped trains and got in trouble with the law. He was known as a bit of a Robin Hood, as he would provide food and money to poor people in the area.

Somehow he always managed to evade capture. People started spreading stories that he had supernatural powers that allowed him to change into animal form and was only vulnerable to silver bullets. Other tales said that he had the power to disable the tracking abilities of the bloodhounds on his trail.

Whatever the real story, the man who was believed to be “Railroad Bill” was gunned down in March of 1896 at a general store in Atmore, in Escambia County. His spirit is said to remain, appearing with a big smile on his face.

Find out more about “Railroad Bill” here.

FAQ

Who was Railroad Bill?

He was a real outlaw who rode the Louisville & Nashville trains in the 1890s. Over time the tales about him grew into folklore, with shape-shifting and narrow escapes.

What do people see?

The legend says his spirit stays near the tracks and pine woods, and he appears smiling, as if he still got away.

Can I visit the tracks?

Railroad tracks and rights-of-way are private and dangerous. Enjoy the story from a public road or a local museum, never from the tracks.

More Alabama legends

Read about Granny Dollar at DeSoto Falls and Eliza Lucas at Lucas Tavern, or see our Alabama haunted road trip.