Acton Crossing circa 1913. The railroad played a crucial role in the founding and development of Helena. At one point there were three branches leaving the main lines at Helena. The Helena Blocton Mineral which served most of the Cahaba Coal Field, the Acton Mineral which served the Alabama Fuel & Iron Company mines at Acton (now Riverchase), and the Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast’s Coalmont branch which served the Eureka and Black Diamond mines. The coal was hauled to Helena for shipment throughout the U.S. On March 6, 1937, there was a fatal collision between a coal train and a freight train at the crossing shown above. (Contributed/City of Helena Museum)